Aereo hit a roadblock, but others are now filling the innovation gap

In the Limelight

By Jeffrey Becker

Jeffrey Becker is chair of Swanson, Martin & Bell LLP’s entertainment and media law practice group. Among his clients are recording artists, screenwriters, filmmakers, record labels and publishers, actors, theatrical producers and various entertainment-related businesses for whom he provides comprehensive counseling and litigation services. He can be reached at (312) 321-8425 or jbecker@smbtrials.com.

Posted September 15, 2014 2:38 PM

In the U.S. Supreme Court’s opinion in American Broadcasting Cos. Inc. v. Aereo Inc., 573 U.S., 134 S.Ct. 2498 (2014), the court held Aereo’s “watch live” Internet streaming service constitutes a “public performance” within the meaning of the transmit clause of the U.S. Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. 106(4). The court’s ruling resulted in the immediate and voluntary shutdown of Aereo’s subscription service, which had allowed subscribers to watch network television programs …

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