Court docket blocks $1 billion copyright ruling that punished ISP for its customers’ piracy

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A federal appeals court docket at this time overturned a $1 billion piracy verdict {that a} jury handed down in opposition to cable Web service supplier Cox Communications in 2019. Judges rejected Sony’s declare that Cox profited straight from copyright infringement dedicated by customers of Cox’s cable broadband community.

Appeals court docket judges did not let Cox off the hook solely, however they vacated the damages award and ordered a brand new damages trial, which is able to presumably end in a considerably smaller quantity to be paid to Sony and different copyright holders. Common and Warner are additionally plaintiffs within the case.

“We affirm the jury’s discovering of willful contributory infringement,” stated a unanimous choice by a three-judge panel on the US Court docket of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. “However we reverse the vicarious legal responsibility verdict and remand for a brand new trial on damages as a result of Cox didn’t revenue from its subscribers’ acts of infringement, a authorized prerequisite for vicarious legal responsibility.”