Major Music Labels Sue Altice USA for $1 Billion Over Alleged Copyright Infringement by Subscribers
BMG, Concord, and Universal Music Group (UMG) have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit exceeding $1 billion against internet service provider Altice USA, alleging widespread copyright violations by the ISP's subscribers.
Altice office building exterior daytime
Key Details of the Lawsuit:
- Filed in federal court in Texas, where Altice operates approximately two dozen locations
- Plaintiffs include UMG, BMG, Concord, and Capitol Records
- Allegations claim Altice deliberately ignored subscriber infringement to maintain subscription revenue
- Over 1 million infringement notices received involving nearly 20,000 Altice subscribers
- Many subscribers continued infringing for extended periods, from 30 days to several years
The lawsuit alleges that Altice:
- Knew about subscriber copyright infringement but continued providing services
- Prioritized profits over legal responsibilities
- Failed to terminate accounts of repeat infringers
- Maintained service to protect subscription revenue
Damages Sought:
- Over $1 billion based on statutory damages of $150,000 per infringed work
- Covers extensive catalog of compositions and recordings (176 pages of works)
The case mirrors similar music industry lawsuits against other ISPs, including Charter/Bright House, Frontier, and Cox. Altice, which operates in at least 21 states, has not yet publicly responded to these allegations.
Altice logo against dark city skyline
Altice Building against blue sky
Related Articles
Victory Boyd Sues Travis Scott, SZA, and Future Over 'Telekinesis' Copyright Infringement
