Submission + - Supreme Court Sides With Internet Provider in Copyright Fight Over Pirated Music (nytimes.com) 1
JackSpratts writes: The Supreme Court unanimously said on Wednesday that a major internet provider could not be held liable for the piracy of thousands of songs online in a closely watched copyright clash.
In its opinion released on Wednesday, the court said a company was not liable for “merely providing a service to the general public with knowledge that it will be used by some to infringe copyrights.”
Writing for the court, Justice Clarence Thomas said a provider like Cox was liable “only if it intended that the provided service be used for infringement” and if it, for instance, “actively encourages infringement.”
In a statement on Wednesday, Cox called the court’s unanimous decision a “decisive victory” for the industry and for Americans who “depend on reliable internet service.”
— js.
In its opinion released on Wednesday, the court said a company was not liable for “merely providing a service to the general public with knowledge that it will be used by some to infringe copyrights.”
Writing for the court, Justice Clarence Thomas said a provider like Cox was liable “only if it intended that the provided service be used for infringement” and if it, for instance, “actively encourages infringement.”
In a statement on Wednesday, Cox called the court’s unanimous decision a “decisive victory” for the industry and for Americans who “depend on reliable internet service.”
— js.
