US EditionUS Supreme Court to hear copyright dispute between Cox and record labels
The Supreme Court is examining if ISPs like Cox must act on repeated copyright violations, with a $1 billion verdict for infringing over 10,000 songs at stake.
- On Dec. 1, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a dispute over whether internet service provider Cox Communications faces liability for users' copyright infringement, with Sony Music Entertainment and over 50 record labels suing.
- A 2019 jury awarded the music industry $1 billion, and the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found Cox engaged in willful contributory infringement, prompting Cox to appeal to the Supreme Court asking to limit liability and toss the verdict.
- Record labels argue Cox helped 60,000 customers distribute more than 10,000 copyrighted works, Sony Music Entertainment notes peer-to-peer file sharing made up 21% of Cox's traffic and cites nearly 19 billion pirated downloads, while Sony highlighted a Cox compliance manager's email saying `F the dmca!!!`.
- Cox warns an upheld judgment could push it toward bankruptcy and cause `mass evictions from the internet`, cutting service to homes, barracks, hospitals and hotels on bare accusations.
- The high court is expected to rule by the end of June 2026, with briefs from the Justice Department, Google, platform name and the American Civil Liberties Union warning of broader tech harms for over 6 million residences served by Cox.
73 Articles
73 Articles
$1B music piracy case could affect internet users
FOX 2 talks to cyber risk analyst David Derigiotis about Cox Comunications v. Sony Music Entertainment, a supreme court case concerning music piracy. Sony claims Cox, and other Internet service providers, failed to prevent music piracy. Cox argues it is not their responsibility to police the Internet. The outcome of this case could have a major effect on how (or if) music streaming remains a reality.
Supreme Court Grapples With Internet Providers’ Duty to Stop Piracy
In a major copyright case, the Supreme Court on Monday heard arguments about whether internet providers can be blamed for their customers’ acts of digital piracy. Cox Communications, the cable provider, appealed a lower court ruling in favor of Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group and other labels. The record companies sued […]
Supreme Court Hears Internet Provider’s Appeal in $1 Billion Copyright Infringement Case
The U.S. Supreme Court grappled on Dec. 1 with internet service provider Cox Communications’ appeal of a $1 billion jury verdict. Music labels won the verdict over music piracy that Cox’s customers allegedly committed. The piracy complained of often takes place when internet users access peer-to-peer file-sharing protocols such as BitTorrent. The petitioner, Cox Communications, runs six cable systems in 18 states. The lead respondent, Sony Music…
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