Supreme Court sides with Cox Communications in a copyright fight with record labels over downloads
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday sided with internet service provider Cox Communications in its copyright fight with record labels over illegal music downloads by Cox customers.
The justices ruled unanimously that Cox bears no liability for the copyright violations of its customers, reversing a jury verdict and lower-court rulings.
“Cox neither induced its users’ infringement nor provided a service tailored to infringement,” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for the court in an opinion that acknowledged that the record labels “have struggled to protect their copyrights in the age of online music sharing.”
The company, in a statement, praised the court for affirming that internet service providers “are not copyright police.”
The music companies, by contrast, voiced disappointment over the ruling. Mitch Glazier, chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America, said the verdict was “based on overwhelming evidence that the company knowingly facilitated theft.”
The court acted in a lawsuit led by Sony Music Entertainment that said Cox did not do enough to deter or cut off customers who downloaded music they did not pay for.
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had partially upheld a jury verdict against Cox, but it threw out its award of more than $1 billion.
Cox Communications provides internet service to more than 6 million homes and businesses in more than a dozen states. The company warned of widespread disruptions in access if the justices ruled against it.
Cox said it could be required to terminate access for households, hospitals, universities and coffee shops based on a “couple accusations of infringement.”