ISP Bid to Duck Music Piracy Verdict Probed by Fifth Circuit (1)

Grande Communications faced skepticism as it tried to convince the Fifth Circuit to vacate a $47 million copyright verdict in the first appeal of its kind since Cox Communications overturned a $1 billion verdict earlier this year.

Grande is challenging the jury’s conclusion that the internet service provider contributed to its users’ piracy of more than 1,400 songs by not cutting off mass infringers after receiving notice from copyright holders. Judges and attorneys sparred at Monday’s argument over what conduct would expose a service provider to liability for the actions of its customers.

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act grants platforms ...