The Supreme Court's decision against Internet video service Aereo could have reverberations throughout the technology industry.
The majority of the Court tried to craft a narrow ruling that would kill the controversial streaming site without harming legitimate Internet services. Nevertheless, some technology companies are nervous that the decision could deter future innovations and spur more copyright lawsuits.
Ed Black, the CEO of the Computer and Communications Industry Association, said the decision has created legal uncertainty around other technologies that allow consumers to store copyrighted material.
"The Court said this decision shouldn't have an impact on other technology services," he said. "That's nice to say, but they did basically create a huge gray area."
Black's group lobbies for Aereo, as well Internet giants including Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft.
Aereo uses clusters of tiny antennas to deliver local TV channels to its subscribers over the Internet. Everyone has the right to access over-the-air TV channels using an antenna, and Aereo claims its subscribers are just renting access to an antenna.
But in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court sided with the TV broadcasters, who claim Aereo is stealing their content. In the majority opinion, Justice Stephen Breyer wrote that Aereo is behaving like a cable provider and should have to pay for the broadcast TV content.