Judge: Aereo can keep transmitting live TV to iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches in NYC

U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan ruled Wednesday that Aereo can continue beaming live, over-the-air television to iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users in New York City.

For $12 a month, Aereo, a small New York City-based startup, transmits over 20 TV channels to local residents, who can also record the content and watch it later thanks to the company’s cloud-based DVRs. The service currently has 3,500 users.

But Fox, ABC, CBS, and NBC aren’t fans, and they took Aereo to court over allegations of copyright infringement. The judge, however, saw it differently, saying Aereo merely allows users to tap into existing content on the go. Other devices, she said, provide similar services in the living room.

The companies are expected to appeal the court’s decision.