Summing up yesterday's arguments in ABC v Aereo



Tom Paine



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Below is a summary of some of the better analyses of yesterday's oral arguments in ABC v. Aereo in front of the Supreme Court.

Getting a grasp of the complex technology issues was difficult, as at least one justice openly admitted. Also, justices seemed reluctant to step on a 2008 appeals court ruling that upheld Cablevision Systems Corp's cloud storage video recorder.

While several justices were skeptical of the purpose of Aereo's technology, implying it was designed primarily to evade existing copyright law, most were very concerned about interfering with the future growth of cloud computing in its many different forms.

Comcast joined lead plaintiff ABC in appealing the case against Aereo to the Court. While some cable system operators where generally more sympathetic to Aereo than broadcasters were, Comcast of course is both of these through its NBC ownership.

First Round Capital and FirstMark Capital, another VC firm active in the Philly area, were
early seed investors in Aereo, which was then known as Bamboom Labs, in 2011. Others, led by IAC Corp's Barry Diller, came in later as major investors.

Philadelphia was originally scheduled to receive Aereo service in 2013 but that never happened, and it is now tentatively scheduled to receive it some time this year, probably
pending the decision in this case, which might come in June or July.


At oral arguments, Supreme Court isn’t sold on Aereo (Ars Technica)

At Stake in the Aereo Case Is How We Watch TV (New York Times)

U.S. justices show little support for Aereo TV in copyright fight (Reuters)

At Aereo arguments, can old-school analogies explain new technology? (Reuters Blog)

Supreme Court justices skeptical of Aereo, but wary of killing it (Fortune)

Cloud implications could save Aereo (SNL Kagan)


Justices Express Concern Over a Sweeping Aereo Ruling (Variety)

Why the Supreme Court, and You, Should Side with Aereo in the Legal-Tech Case of the Year (Yahoo Tech)











Links 4/23/2014: Wireless lobby group names ex-FCC member & current Comcast exec Baker as president; What's up with LevelUp?



Software Firm Whacked for $391 Million (Courthouse News Service)
SAP still on hook in patent infringement case, court says, even though Patent & Trademark Office says(in non-final ruling) that patents are invalid.

SAP's on-site apps fumble for the gearstick as cloud stamps pedal (The Register)


Wireless lobby group names former FCC member [& Comcast exec] Baker as president (Washington Post)

Dish Said to Target Summer Debut for Internet-TV Service
(Bloomberg)

Chernin Teams With AT&T in Online Video Investment Venture (New York Times: DealBook)


Cognizant Snaps Up Itaas (Multichannel News)

Ireland company sets up Philadelphia office to be close to Comcast (Philadelphia Business Journal)


Regulators approve settlement with Verizon over broadband rollout (NorthJersey.com)

Tough Realities Persist In Mobile Payments
(ReadWrite)
Interesting details on LevelUp's progress to date.

Unisys Announces First-Quarter 2014 Financial Results (PR Newswire)
Revenue declines 6%; loss increases.


University takes a pass on Oracle after ERP lawsuit settlement
(IT World)
Montclair State choses Banner from Ellucian (formerly SunGard HE) instead.