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Supreme Court sides with Cox Communications in copyright case
The Court unanimously found Cox not liable for its customers' illegal music downloads, reversing a jury and lower-court decisions in a suit led by Sony Music Entertainment.
Mar 25th 2026 ยท United States
Insights
- The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Cox is not liable for its customers' illegal music downloads, reversing a jury verdict and lower-court rulings.
- Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that Cox neither induced users' infringement nor provided a service tailored to infringement.
- Sony Music Entertainment led the lawsuit seeking damages after a jury found against Cox and the 4th Circuit partially upheld the verdict while throwing out a more than $1 billion award.
- Cox provides internet to more than 6 million homes and businesses and had warned that a loss could force widespread terminations of service.
Sources
- Supreme Court Sides With Internet Provider in Copyright Fight Over Pirated Music www.nytimes.com
- Supreme Court sides with internet provider in dispute over pirated music www.cbsnews.com
- Supreme Court sides with Cox Communications in a copyright fight with record labels over downloads apnews.com
- Supreme Court rules ISPs aren't liable for subscribers' music piracy www.engadget.com
- Cox Communications not liable for pirated music, Supreme Court rules www.theverge.com
- Supreme Court rejects Sony's attempt to kick music pirates off the Internet arstechnica.com