Uber is a common carrier subject to the same rules as any other service that moves people around according to Maryland's Public Service Commission. The PSC affirmed a judge's suggested ruling to that effect late Wednesday. Just hours after getting legal operating authority in Virginia, the rideshare company will have to grapple with a whole new set of problems in the neighboring state.

"At the heart of the case was the question of whether Uber’s BLACK and SUV services are subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction under state law," the PSC said in its statement on the case. "The Commission concluded "[w]hen viewed in their totality, the undisputed facts and circumstances in this case make it clear that Uber is engaged in the public transportation of persons for hire. Thus, Uber is a common carrier and a public service company over whom the Commission has jurisdiction." The Commission recognized the paramount importance of public safety, noting that it is required by law to regulate for-hire services to ensure they are in the public interest and to promote adequate, economical, safe and efficient delivery of services."

Uber had tried to claim that it was a technology company, operating under the Telecommunications Act, but Chief Public Utility Law Judge Terry Romine disagreed and set out the recommendation that, despite appeals from Uber, the PSC has accepted. Now Uber has to apply for a permit to act as a motor carrier within 60 days or face penalties. Uber is not likely to give in easily, judging from what happened in Virginia with the regulators and taxi companies trying to shut it down. That may have some echoes in the new case too.

"Any sort of a procedure like this that strips consumers rights has special interests behind it," said Uber D.C. spokesman Taylor Bennett in an interview before the decision came down.

Uber has never been called a common carrier before, so it will be keen to nip that precedent in the bud. Still, it's not all doom and gloom for rideshare companies in Maryland. The order really only applies to Uber SUV and Uber Black. UberX and Lyft are technically off the hook, but a request by a consumer watchdog agency means that both services will be getting investigated by the PSC which will undoubtedly be a hassle at the very least. The PSC does have plans to draft new regulations that might put Uber and Lyft back on the right side of the law without having to change how it operates.

"We recognize that many industry changes and technological advances have occurred since these regulations were adopted, including the everyday use of the Internet," the PSC wrote.

For now, Uber is unimpressed with the PSC and its resolve. In a statement, Bennett doubled down on suggesting that protecting the taxi industry was the motivation for the order.

"While the people of Maryland and their elected leaders support innovation and choice, Maryland’s PSC is stuck in the days of the horse and buggy," Bennett wrote. "The PSC’s attempt to take choice and competition away from Maryland residents to protect big taxi will not stand."

If you're feeling up for a bit of a hard legal slog, you can read the full order by the PSC. Expect plenty more on this to come as Uber and Lyft focus their not-inconsiderable grassroots and technology sector support on Maryland and its regulations. It even has support from the top of the state government.

"As new innovations change the transportation services landscape, we must ensure that our laws and regulations evolve as well – we shouldn’t try to limit a 21st century marketplace with 20th century regulations, said Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley in a statement. "I urge the Commission—and the Maryland General Assembly—to ensure that our laws and regulations accommodate and foster new innovations to ensure that Marylanders have choices, while always ensuring that we protect the safety of all Marylanders."

After watching Uber and Lyft basically ignore their outlaw status in Virginia for months, it's easy to believe that this kerfuffle will get resolved pretty easily too. Arguably, Virginia was a much tougher state to pull off regulatory acceptance in than Maryland, and the sympathy of Maryland politicians like O'Malley mark a clear, if occasionally difficult path to legalizing all Uber services in the state.

"We appreciate Governor O’Malley’s commitment to innovation and growth and we will continue to defend the rights of riders and drivers to have access to the safest, most reliable transportation alternatives on the road," Bennett wrote.