Supreme Court rules Cox not liable in copyright music-downloads case

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Cox is not liable for its customers' copyright infringements, overturning a jury verdict and lower-court decisions.

The Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision finding that Cox is not liable for its customers' copyright violations. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the opinion, stating that Cox "neither induced its users' infringement nor provided a service tailored to infringement." The lawsuit was brought by Sony Music Entertainment, which accused Cox of failing to deter or disconnect customers who repeatedly downloaded music without paying. A lower-court jury had found Cox liable, and the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had previously reviewed parts of that verdict. Key details: - The justices unanimously overturned a jury verdict and lower-court decisions. - Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that Cox did not induce infringement nor provide a service tailored to infringement. - Sony Music Entertainment led the lawsuit, accusing Cox of not adequately deterring repeat infringers. - The 4th U.S. Circuit had partially upheld liability findings but set aside a damages award that exceeded $1 billion. - Cox serves more than 6 million homes and businesses across more than a dozen states and had warned a loss could force service cutoffs. Summary: The ruling removes the liability finding against Cox and reverses lower-court rulings in the case. Undetermined at this time.