Cox Gets Big Tech, ISP Support in SCOTUS Music Piracy Dispute

Internet service provider rivals, tech giants, law associations and public advocacy groups backed Cox Communications’ bid to escape liability in a dispute before the US Supreme Court over online music piracy.

Cox, already backed by the US government, argued that it shouldn’t have to cut off accused infringers’ internet access—a vital service—to avoid being held responsible for activity from which it doesn’t profit. Friend-of-the-court briefs filed Sept. 5 in support addressed impacts on internet users, the risk of sweeping liability for tech companies for user behavior, and implications of an expansive contributory liability standard on copyright law.

The case itself ...