Supreme Court to Hear Cox Appeal in $1 Billion Music Piracy Case

The US Supreme Court agreed to consider shielding Cox Communications Inc. from a $1 billion lawsuit by the music industry, in a case that could give internet providers new legal protections when users pirate copyrighted works.

Cox is seeking to overturn a jury finding against the company for not shutting down the accounts of customers who repeatedly downloaded and distributed songs without permission. A federal appeals court said Cox could be held liable for contributing to infringement by subscribers, though the panel tossed out a different part of the verdict, along with a $1 billion damage award.

The high court ...