A US appeals court yesterday declined to temporarily shut down Aereo, an online TV venture backed by billionaire Barry Diller, which broadcasters say is infringing their copyrights.

The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed with the broadcasters, including Walt Disney’s ABC and Comcast’s NBCUniversal, that Aereo should discontinue its service until litigation between the companies is resolved. The service was launched in March 2012 in the New York area at a cost to subscribers of $12 a month.