The Supreme Court will hear a high-stakes copyright case Monday that internet service providers say could force mass disconnections across the country.
Record labels, including Sony Music Entertainment, argue that Cox Communications should be held liable for users who downloaded pirated music through peer-to-peer services like BitTorrent.
Cox warns that a ruling against ISPs would deputize them as “internet police” and lead to widespread terminations of service at homes, hospitals and even military barracks based on mere accusations.
US Supreme Court justices will weigh how to apply common law third-party liability principles to digital copyright law when they hear argument Monday. https://t.co/Tn4mU9jufv
— Bloomberg Law (@BLaw) November 29, 2025
Sony counters that Cox enabled “habitual offenders,” noting it cut off more than 600,000 customers for nonpayment but only 32 for repeated piracy.
The case has drawn major tech players like Google and X, who say a ruling favoring record labels could destabilize the tech and AI industries.
The battle echoes a 1984 Supreme Court decision that allowed VCRs, a ruling that once protected Sony — now leading the fight against ISPs.
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TIPP Staff
