"That is not a dystopian fantasy, but a real possibility raised by a case the Supreme Court will hear on Monday. In Cox Communications, Inc. v. Sony Music Entertainment, the justices will decide whether an internet provider can be held responsible for failing to terminate subscribers accused of repeat copyright infringements. The ruling could determine whether access to the internet-today's lifeline for education, work, and civic life-can be taken away as punishment for digital misdeeds."
"Over seven years ago, a group of record companies sued internet service provider Cox for facilitating copyright infringement. They alleged that Cox's subscribers infringed their copyrights in sound recordings and musical compositions by copying and distributing them via BitTorrent and other networks. Cox, they said, knew about the infringements, yet continued to provide network access to the infringers, who continued to infringe."
The Supreme Court will decide whether an internet provider can be held responsible for failing to terminate subscribers accused of repeat copyright infringements. Record companies sued Cox, alleging subscribers copied and distributed sound recordings and compositions via BitTorrent and that Cox knew and kept providing access. A jury found Cox liable under vicarious and contributory theories; an appellate court upheld willful contributory liability, which requires knowledge and a "material contribution." A broad ruling could allow terminating internet access—a core lifeline for education, work, and civic life—and could punish many for one company's bad faith.
Read at Slate Magazine
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