tech
Supreme Court rules internet providers are not liable for illegal piracy by users
The Supreme Court unanimously found that internet service providers are not liable for online piracy committed by its users, rejecting a lawsuit brought by multiple record labels, including Sony, against Cox Communications, a major internet service provider.
TL;DR
- The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that internet service providers (ISPs) are not liable for online piracy by their users.
- The decision rejected a lawsuit brought by record labels, including Sony, against Cox Communications.
- Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the majority opinion, stating that providing a service with knowledge of potential infringement is not sufficient for liability.
- The Court overturned a previous ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit that found Cox liable.
- The ruling was joined by six other justices, with Justices Sotomayor and Jackson concurring with the outcome but disagreeing with the majority's reasoning.
- The Justice Department had supported Cox, warning that a ruling against them could expand legal liability and impact non-infringing users.
- This marks a significant loss for the record labels, who had won in lower courts.