Folks. Interesting discussion, really. But I think people are jumping to conclusions here about copyright.
When a sport event is broadcast live over the air, I don’t think there is a legitimate legal claim that some license or copyright is being violated by A) Locast, for transmitting that live broadcast over the interwebs so that folks who have an obstruction in the way can get a better signal nor B) a user tapping into that live signal and either watching it, or recording it*. Is this in dispute, is this uncharted legal ground ? Yes, it is. And it will surely be challenged. So let’s let the actual court system decide. Don’t give up the fight just because you think it might be adjudicated against you. Just accept that we have a highly biased court system in this country that typically favors large corporations over the individual. I could be wrong and pleasantly surprised, we will see.
- recording live signals for personal use later (you know, the whole reason for Channels to exist). Do you really think the DMCA allows such fair use ? I doubt it. But I also don’t care. I think the DMCA is full of corporate crap on so many levels….
“Any rebroadcast or description of the event without written approval… is prohibited.” Really?!? I’m sure you have all heard that line during or at the end of many sporting events. Do you really think the league (insert version of sport here) has the right/ability to legally come after you because you “rebroadcast” that game in your own home (using Channels) for your family and a drinking buddy present? Or, according to same sport league, you are forbidden to talk about said game with your brother the next day (dude, did you see that incredible play by I can’t say who, during the fourth period - opps I can’t say when). Because technically you’re in violation of the BS rights the league is claiming in every one of their broadcasts.