The Supreme Court has requested input from the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the ongoing copyright infringement case between Cox Communications and major record labels.

This development follows a complex legal battle where Cox Communications was initially ordered to pay $1 billion in damages for allegedly failing to address repeat copyright infringement by its customers. In February 2024, an appellate court partially overturned this verdict, eliminating vicarious infringement liability and ordering a new trial to recalculate damages.

Both parties have since sought Supreme Court review:

• The major labels want to reinstate the full $1 billion verdict
• Cox Communications challenges the remaining liability findings and questions whether secondary infringers can face enhanced statutory damages for willful infringement

The Supreme Court has now invited the Solicitor General to file a brief expressing the United States' position on the case. This input is particularly significant given the case's potential to set precedents for future ISP-rightsholder disputes, including the ongoing litigation between major labels and Verizon.

The Solicitor General's office, which supervises and conducts government litigation in the Supreme Court, will play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of this high-stakes case that could redefine ISP liability for user copyright infringement.

Related Articles

Previous Articles