Supreme Court Sides with Cox in Copyright Fight over Pirated Music (nytimes.com)

Article summary

The US Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Cox Communications in a copyright infringement case, with a 9-0 decision against record labels. The ruling effectively ends a long-running strategy of trying to hold ISPs liable for users' copyright infringement. The case has implications for the music industry and online piracy. The decision is seen as a victory for ISPs and a setback for record labels.

Main themes

• Copyright infringement
• ISP liability
• Music industry
• Online piracy
• Supreme Court ruling
• Intellectual property

What commenters say

• The Supreme Court's decision is a significant blow to the music industry's efforts to hold ISPs liable for copyright infringement.
• The ruling will likely lead to an increase in targeting individuals with threatening letters demanding settlement for alleged copyright infringement.
• Copyright terms should be limited to a reasonable period, such as 5-10 years, to encourage creation and prevent large corporations from benefiting disproportionately.
• Social media companies should not be held liable for user-posted defamation, as it is impractical and potentially harmful to free speech.
• ISPs should be considered common carriers, like water pipes, and not be liable for the content transmitted through their services.
• The current intellectual property system is flawed and benefits large corporations at the expense of individual creators and the public.
• Alternative approaches to copyright, such as a tax-based system or exponential renewal fees, could help balance the benefits and costs of intellectual property protection.