Cox Communications, Inc. v. Sony Music Entertainment

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Cox Communications v. Sony Music
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Supreme Court of the United States
Full case nameCox Communications, Inc. et al. v. Sony Music Entertainment et al.
Docket nos. 24-171
24-181
Questions presented
1. Whether an ISP that continues to provide internet access to particular subscribers, after being notified that those subscribers’ accounts have been used to commit acts of copyright infringement, is contributorily liable for future copyright infringement on those accounts.

2. Whether a contributory copyright infringer “willfully” violates the Copyright Act under 17 U.S.C. 504(c)(2) when it acts with knowledge that the direct infringer’s actions are unlawful but does not know that its own conduct is unlawful.

3. Whether

Contents

vicarious liability for copyright infringement requires proof that the defendant derived a financial benefit from the acts of infringement.

Cox Communications v. Sony Music, is a pending United States Supreme Court case regarding the liability of an internet service providers for its subscribers engaging in copyright infringement.

Background

In 2019, the Eastern District of Virginia found Cox Communications owed $1 billion for copyright infringement by its customers. [1] In 2024, the 4th Circuit overturned the billion dollar verdict. [2]

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, Center for Democracy and Technology, American Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries and Public Knowledge filed a amicus curiae brief urging the 4th Circuit to overturn the districts decision. [3]

Supreme Court

On June 30, 2025, the Supreme Court of the United States granted certiorari. [4] [5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Cox to pay $1 billion to music labels, publishers over piracy infringement". Reuters . December 20, 2019.
  2. ↑ Brittain, Blake (February 21, 2024). "Cox Communications wins order overturning $1 billion US copyright verdict". Reuters .
  3. ↑ Stoltz, Mitch; Ellenberg, Lara (June 3, 2021). "If Not Overturned, a Bad Copyright Decision Will Lead Many Americans to Lose Internet Access". Electronic Frontier Foundation .
  4. ↑ "SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES GRANTED & NOTED LIST OCTOBER TERM 2025 CASES FOR ARGUMENT" (PDF). SupremeCourt.gov. July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  5. ↑ "24-171 COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC. V. SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT" (PDF). SupremeCourt.gov. June 30, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
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