The DirecTV analogy is exactly what this argument is about. Here's the problem:
- DirecTV (and cable companies) pay local channels for retransmission rights. (Since 1992's Cable Television Protection and Competition Act, a concept called "Retransmission Consent" has been the guiding law. See: http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedi... )
- Aereo does not pay these fees, because (it argues) it is not a "video program distributor", but instead a company that rents out the use of antennas and DVRs across the internet.
All of the analogies to mp3.com and similar services aren't nearly as relevant as they should be.
In 29 US states, you can be fired for being gay.
In those same 29 states, a company can choose not to hire someone because they are gay.
So no, we don't have the same laws. Most businesses absolutely can (and do) discriminate against openly gay employees.
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The DirecTV analogy is exactly what this argument is about. Here's the problem:
- DirecTV (and cable companies) pay local channels for retransmission rights. (Since 1992's Cable Television Protection and Competition Act, a concept called "Retransmission Consent" has been the guiding law. See: http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedi... )
- Aereo does not pay these fees, because (it argues) it is not a "video program distributor", but instead a company that rents out the use of antennas and DVRs across the internet.
All of the analogies to mp3.com and similar services aren't nearly as relevant as they should be.
In 29 US states, you can be fired for being gay. In those same 29 states, a company can choose not to hire someone because they are gay. So no, we don't have the same laws. Most businesses absolutely can (and do) discriminate against openly gay employees.