High Court Should Take Up $1 Billion Copyright Case, US Says (1)

The US Supreme Court should grant Cox Communications Inc.'s petition challenging a finding of contributory copyright infringement because internet service providers aren’t liable for failing to terminate accused infringers’ accounts, the US government told the justices Tuesday.

Cox shouldn’t be liable for contributory infringement as held by a jury that awarded a since-vacated $1 billion verdict in favor of Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Bros. Records Inc., and other music publishers, according to a brief filed by US Solicitor General D. John Sauer. He also advised the high court to take up Cox’s question on willfulness, arguing the publishers had to ...