Copyright and Technology

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday, Dec. 1, in a billion‑dollar case over whether internet service providers can be held liable for subscribers’ music piracy, in a suit by major labels against Cox Communications. Labels argue Cox ignored repeated infringement notices tied to specific IP addresses and failed to terminate serial offenders; Cox counters it didn’t encourage infringement, polices abuse under its terms, and warns a loss could force cutting off entire households and institutions from internet access. A jury previously awarded the labels more than $1 billion, a decision the 4th Circuit upheld; a Supreme Court ruling is expected this summer.