What’s Next For Aereo?

By Merrill Knox 

Aereo_iPadThe Associated Press breaks down the questions raised by yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling in the Aereo case, including the all-important one: what’s next for the streaming television service now that the High Court has sided with the broadcasters?

Although the Supreme Court expressed its thinking on the law, it’s the lower court that must issue a preliminary injunction stopping the service, as requested by broadcasters. That could take a few weeks. It’s not guaranteed that the lower court will halt Aereo’s operations, but it’s very likely.

Once an injunction is issued, broadcasters must prove copyright infringement during a trial. Because it’s now likely that broadcasters will ultimately prevail, Aereo might simply decide to shut down. Even then, broadcasters might still decide to pursue the case and seek damages, possibly as a message to future entrepreneurs contemplating video services that don’t involve licenses.

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Although Aereo CEO Chet Kanojia has previously said there’s “no plan” for the streaming service in the event of a Supreme Court loss, his statement yesterday said the company’s “work is not done.”

“We will continue to fight for our consumers and fight to create innovative technologies that have a meaningful and positive impact on our world,” he said.

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