Cox Asks Supreme Court to Review Copyright Infringement Case

Cox Communications has asked the United States Supreme Court to review a previous ruling from an appeals court that started in 2018.

Cox is one of the most prominent, well-known Internet Service Providers with a massive customer database of over 6 million users across 18 states.

The case initially began in 2018 when Sony Music Corp. and other copyright holders sued Cox, claiming that the ISP does not do enough to stop its users from accessing copyrighted material.

This includes terminating internet service for anyone who has alleged infringing activity including music, videos, movies/shows, and more.

After a two-week trial, a Virginia jury ruled that Cox was liable for its users who downloaded or viewed copyrighted content and were ultimately ordered to pay $1 billion in damages.

Cox has continued to fight this ruling and has asked the Supreme Court to “review a significant copyright infringement case that could jeopardize internet access for all Americans”.

In a press release on their official website, the ISP went into more detail about the case and how it can affect customers and all internet users.

This ruling, should it stand, would force ISPs to terminate internet service to households or businesses based on unproven allegations of infringing activity, and put them in a position of having to police their networks—contrary to customer expectations. This would result in a fundamental change to how ISPs must manage their networks as many may feel that the only way to avoid liability is to monitor the activity of their subscribers to ensure no one is engaging in potentially unlawful conduct. This is not how the internet should work.

And Cox isn’t the only one in the midst of a legal battle surrounding the same situation, as other providers including Verizon, Bright House, RCN, and Frontier have all been confronted with these accusations as well.

Other ISPs have taken steps to combat piracy in the past including via Blocking IPTV Services and in the UK, blocking Pirate Domains.

If the ruling from the Fourth Circuit Court were to stand, it could have severe implications for all Internet users as service could be terminated immediately without a proper investigation.

Cox noted this in their press release.

Terminating internet service would not just impact the individual accused of unlawfully downloading content, it would kick an entire household off the internet. Cox’s subscribers, and much of the world, rely on internet access in just about every aspect of their daily life—from video-calling friends and family to completing online courses, and working from home to securing the home through connected security devices…

Cox knows how critical robust and reliable broadband services are for the communities we serve. Our petition to the Supreme Court aims to protect users’ privacy and avoid unintended consequences that will harm innocent and non-infringing consumers.

Why is This Important?

Terminating one’s access to the Internet is a slippery slope for users of the Internet (nearly all of us), and those who may have Cox as their primary Internet Service Provider.

Especially households in rural areas who may have limited options when it comes to internet access as terminating service could leave them out in the dark entirely.

Because there is no way of determining who the actual infringer was and whether or not the activity was actually infringing, internet access could be discontinued without proper cause and with no way of getting it back.

Not only is this problematic for households but businesses as well, said Cox:

Businesses are not immune from the lower court’s ruling, either. From hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops to hospitals and universities, businesses that offer Wi-Fi to their customers or employees could lose all connectivity because of the unlawful acts of a few. Termination would not only eliminate their ability to offer Wi-Fi, but with business functions like payroll, inventory management, and payment processing being supported by internet connectivity, it also impacts their ability to operate altogether.

Without proper evidence and due diligence, internet customers may be shut off entirely if this new ruling stands and Cox is doing everything they can to prevent it.

You can find the full press release from Cox Communications by CLICKING HERE.

We want to know what you think of Cox Communication’s appeal to the US Supreme Court. Should they be liable and forced to terminate service for those alleged to have committed copyright infringement?

Let us know in the comment section!

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