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Aereo fights for life after legal setback [FARS News Agency](FARS News Agency Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Five months after a massive loss in the Supreme Court, Internet television startup Aereo is trying to claw its way back into operation and users' living rooms. Since the nation's highest court ruled that Aereo violated copyright law by converting and retransmitting over-the-air broadcast channels, the company has filed multiple motions with lower courts seeking guidance for how to proceed, and has applied for a cable license from the Federal Communication Commission. Last week, Virginia Lam, Aereo's communications and government relations head, filed to become a lobbyist. Lam will lobby legislators on "issues pertaining to antennas, broadcast television and television access online," according to a disclosure filing. The focus will be on educating legislators, and will not be limited to one political party or governing body. Aereo has long employed law firm Bingham McCutchen, which has offices in Boston and Washington, D.C., to lobby on its behalf. During the past three years, Aereo has paid the firm more than $800,000 for its lobbying services, and has been the firm's highest-paying client in each year. Aereo has paid Bingham McCutchen $222,000 this year. Bingham McCutchen's D.C. office says it specializes in telecommunications, and its lobbying clients include Google. After the decision, Aereo shut down its product, an $8 per month service that let users watch and record over-the-air channels on mobile and smart devices. In a blog post last week, Aereo chief executive Chet Kanojia said the company is "working diligently to create a path forward for the company." Lam, who also acts as Aereo's spokeswoman, said the company has not lost any senior executives. Despite the lack of a clear Plan B — or paying customers — Aereo's investors have not given up on the company. "The Supreme Court ruling has opened some new avenues of opportunity that we really need to investigate," said Dan Nova, a partner at venture capital firm Highland Capital and board member of Aereo. "There's several potential options." One of those options is a so-called compulsory license that would allow Aereo to re-transmit copyrighted material for a fee. That door opened when the court's written decision said Aereo was essentially a cable company. Aereo has applied for a license, but has also petitioned the FCC to create a new category of online video services. Even before the Supreme Court ruling, both Aereo and the networks suing the company spoke about potential legislative action that would reform copyright law. U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey, (D-Mass.) who is on the Senate Subcommittee for Communications, Technology and the Internet, said legislative action may be necessary to keep pace with innovation. "Aereo and an increasing number of companies are exploring new ways to stream programming. Throughout my entire career in Congress, I have advocated for policies that promote innovation and competition in telecommunications in order to expand consumer choice, create jobs, and encourage economic growth," Markey said in a statement. "As technology continues to change, those same goals must endure." (c) 2014 Fars News Agency. All rights reserved Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |