Billion dollar piracy win for majors “defies common law and common sense” says Cox
Cox Communications is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a massive legal ruling in favor of major record labels, which held the ISP liable for facilitating music piracy by its users. The Fourth Circuit affirmed Cox’s liability for contributory copyright infringement—despite throwing out the $1 billion damages verdict—and remanded for a new trial on damages. The Supreme Court has now agreed to review the case, which hinges on whether ISPs like Cox must terminate service for users flagged for repeated infringement. Cox argues this would “defy common law and common sense” and could result in mass disconnections of internet service for innocent users such as university dorms, coffee shops, and apartment buildings.
