Aereo CEO Chet Kanojia Speaks Out About Technology, Innovation and Progress

Aereo founder and CEO Chet Kanojia has just released the following statement on Standing Up for Technology, Innovation and Progress:

At Aereo, our team of engineers set out to create a new way to watch television that would be simple, elegant, and useful. The result: Aereo's unique cloud-based antenna and DVR technology. Our innovative technology leverages the power of the Internet to create a smarter, more sophisticated over-the-air antenna for the digital world and an easy-to-use cloud-based DVR that you can control and watch from a smart phone, tablet, computer or Internet connected television. Despite the fact that consumers have long had the right to use an antenna to watch over-the-air television and make recordings for their own personal use, the major broadcasters filed suit against Aereo in New York alleging copyright infringement and sought to prevent Aereo from providing its technology. The broadcasters asked the Court to deny you, the consumer, the ability to use the cloud to access a more modern-day television antenna and DVR. That requested injunction has been denied on three separate occasions in this case, once at the federal district court level and twice at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The case is now in front of the United States Supreme Court and oral arguments will be heard on April 22, 2014. Today, we filed our response brief, setting forth the basis for our steadfast conviction that Aereo's cloud-based antenna and DVR technology falls squarely within the law. We have every confidence that the Court will validate and preserve a consumer's right to access local over-the-air television using an individual antenna, make a personal recording with a DVR, and watch that recording on a device of their choice. We think you should be able to decide whether you use home equipment or whether you take advantage of the ease, convenience and lower cost of cloud-based equipment and storage. We will keep you updated as our case progresses. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. Your tweets, Facebook posts and emails of support mean a great deal to our entire team. Keep them coming and keep your voices loud in support of consumer choice and innovation. Yours truly, Chet Kanojia Founder & CEO