TV industry battles internet viewing start-up in US Supreme Court

A start-up that threatens to shake up the television industry with mini antennas for internet viewing and recording has been the object of heated debate in the US Supreme Court.

A powerful coalition of the broadcast and cable TV industries wants the panel to rule against the start-up Aereo, which allows customers to rent a tiny internet-linked antenna to watch or record over-the-air broadcasts on their computers, raising difficult copyright questions.

A similarly strong alliance that includes several technology firms and consumer groups is pressing for a different outcome, saying a ruling for Aereo would send a signal in favour of technological innovation.

At stake are billions of dollars in fees paid by cable and satellite firms, which Aereo circumvents, in what could be the most significant copyright case in decades.

Justices appeared ambivalent at times on Tuesday, questioning whether Aereo was violating copyright law and mulling a possible impact on the burgeoning cloud computing sector, which stores all kinds of materials online.

Justice Stephen Breyer queried what might happen if Aereo were found to be in violation.