MUMBAI: Aereo, which offers online streaming of television channels in the US has filed a request in New York federal court.

It wants a declaratory ruling that its Internet TV service is legal. The aim is to pre-empt any attempts by channels like CBS to hinder its planned expansion to Boston next week.

Aereo‘s spokesperson Virginia Lam said, "In response to the CBS companies‘ repeated threats to sue Aereo in every market that it enters, Aereo has filed a declaratory judgment action in New York naming CBS, its Boston affiliates and its wholly owned and operated companies located in Aereo‘s initial expansion markets.

"In 2012, CBS and other broadcasters chose to file copyright lawsuits against Aereo in the federal courts in New York. Last year, the trial court denied CBS‘s and the other broadcasters‘ request for a preliminary injunction against Aereo; and, last month, the appeals court affirmed that decision. The fact that CBS did not prevail in their efforts to enjoin Aereo in their existing federal lawsuit does not entitle them to a do-over in another jurisdiction. We are hopeful that any such efforts to commence duplicative lawsuits to try to seek a different outcome will be rejected by the courts."

The filing names CBS as well as their owned and operated affiliates, and covers expansion cities. The complaint argues that a decision was already made by the Second Circuit that Aereo was not guilty of infringement and should not be shut down with a preliminary injunction. Therefore, following Aereo around the nation as it expands and leveling the same action against them from court to court would be improper.

Earlier both CBS and News Corp had threatened to move to cable if Aereo succeeded.