Wnet v. Aereo, Inc.
871 F. Supp. 2d 281
S.D.N.Y.2012Background
- Plaintiffs are corporate entities that produce, market, distribute, and transmit television programs.
- Aereo retransmits New York-area broadcast signals over the Internet to subscribers.
- Plaintiffs hold or claim rights in some programs Aereo rebroadcasts and allege copyright infringement.
- Counts I and II allege infringement of the exclusive rights of reproduction and public performance under 17 U.S.C. § 106.
- Count III, in the alternative, alleges unfair competition under New York law for private performances.
- Aereo moves for judgment on the pleadings on Count III, arguing preemption under 17 U.S.C. § 301; Plaintiffs concede the possibility of private performances for purposes of this motion.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether state unfair competition claim is preempted by § 301. | Plaintiffs contend private performances fall outside § 106 public-performance scope. | Aereo contends preemption applies to the general scope of rights, including private performances. | Preempted; Count III is preempted under § 301. |
Key Cases Cited
- Briarpatch Ltd., L.P. v. Phoenix Pictures, Inc., 373 F.3d 296 (2d Cir. 2004) (two-prong general scope and extra element tests for preemption)
- NBA v. Motorola, 105 F.3d 841 (2d Cir. 1997) (preemption broader than copyrightable material; misappropriation considerations)
- Theflyonthewall.com, Inc. v. Bank of New York Mellon Corp., 650 F.3d 888 (2d Cir. 2011) (preemption under § 301 broader; discusses extra elements and general scope)
- Computer Assocs. Int’l v. Altai, 982 F.2d 693 (2d Cir. 1992) (extra element test and preemption framework)
- Fin. Info., Inc. v. Moody’s Investors Serv., Inc., 808 F.2d 204 (2d Cir. 1986) (preemption analysis and scope of rights)
- Warner Bros., Inc. v. Am. Broadcasting Cos., 720 F.2d 231 (2d Cir. 1983) (misappropriation claims preempted when essentially copyright-based)
- Durham Indus., Inc. v. Tomy Corp., 630 F.2d 905 (2d Cir. 1980) (preemption principles in unfair competition context)
- Arista Records LLC v. Doe, 604 F.3d 110 (2d Cir. 2010) (discussion of copying as shorthand for rights in § 106)