The major broadcast networks and Aereo finally have a date with the highest court in the land. The Supreme Court has scheduled hearings in the ugly battle between the two sides for April 22.
As reported last month, the Supreme Court announced that it will take the case after the networks appealed to the Court in October. Aereo welcomed the fight in a response, which promptly drew another response from the networks, who were quick to take another shot at the service.
Variety reports that only eight of the nine justices will hear the case, since Justice Samuel Alito has recused himself.
Aereo is a service that allows users to stream live, over-the-air broadcasts, which are technically free for all citizens. The company has stated that it is merely another tool to give consumers access to the airways, but the fact that it also provides DVR service is a major sticking point with the networks. ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC have also complained that Aereo is not paying the same high licensing fees that cable and satellite providers pay, which keeps Aereo’s subscriber fee cheap. The networks have said that this is a violation of copyrights.
The Court is officially taking up the ABC Television Stations vs. Aereo case, which deals with the New York market. The networks will have to submit their first brief by Feb. 24 and Aereo’s response is due on March 26.
image courtesy of Aereo