Supreme Court Rules Cox Communications Not Liable for Pirated Music

The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Cox Communications in a high-profile copyright case against major record labels, determining that the provider is not liable for subscribers illegally downloading music. The unanimous decision concluded that Cox did not promote infringement or offer a service specifically for illegal downloading. The case, initiated by Sony Music and others in 2018, alleged that Cox enabled 60,000 users to unlawfully download over 10,000 songs. Initially, a jury found Cox liable, awarding Sony $1 billion, but this was overturned on appeal. Cox sought Supreme Court intervention in 2024. Other ISPs like AT&T and Verizon supported Cox, arguing that the appeals court’s decision posed risks to internet service providers. The ACLU also expressed concerns about free speech implications. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that merely providing internet access does not make Cox liable for copyright infringement. Mitch Glazier, head of the Recording Industry Association of America, expressed disappointment, urging policymakers to consider the consequences for copyright protection.