WASHINGTON: The entertainment industry’s seemingly losing battle to stop music from being illegally copied and shared in the digital age hits the Supreme Court on Dec 1 in a case both sides say could have huge consequences for both the industry and internet users, the USA reported.
A decision by the high court that fails to hold internet service providers accountable for piracy on their networks would “spell disaster for the music community,” according to groups representing musicians and other entertainers.
But Cox Communications, the largest private broadband company in America, argues too tough a standard could “jeopardize internet access for all Americans.” The world’s leading recording companies and music publishers say Cox helped 60,000 customers distribute more than 10,000 copyrighted works for free, contributing to a problem that robs the industry of billions of dollars a year.
Cox asked the Supreme Court to intervene after it was sued by Sony Music Entertainment and more than 50 other record labels for not taking reasonable steps to prevent piracy and not cutting off service for repeat offenders.
In 2019, a jury sided with the music industry and said Cox owed $1 billion in damages. The Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the damages, ordering a new trial based on reduced violations.
The Supreme Court declined the record labels’ request to review whether the lower court was right to throw out one type of copyright violation and agreed to hear Cox’s appeal over whether the company can still be held liable for “materially contributing” to copyright infringement. Cox argues that to be liable, it has to actively assist piracy not just fail to prevent it.
