Copyright Court Fights Could Kill IAP Industry, Professor Says
The internet access provider industry "is doomed" if IAPs end up liable for $100,000 per user-downloaded copyright infringement, Santa Clara University Director-High Tech Law Institute professor Eric Goldman blogged Monday, citing the $1 billion jury verdict (in Pacer, docket…
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18-cv-950) earlier this month awarded in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, in a music industry suit against Cox Communications. He said Cox undoubtedly will appeal to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He said IAPs being hit with secondary copyright liability claims stems from "a breakdown in the détente" associated with the failed Copyright Alert System, and that solution, while "terrible," was better than standards courts keep suggesting. "The judgement is unwarranted, unjust and an egregious amount." Cox emailed. "Today, you can download a song for a dollar. This judgement is for nearly $100,000 per song. We plan to appeal the case and vigorously defend ourselves. We provide customers with a powerful tool that connects to a world full of content and information. Unfortunately, some customers have chosen to use that connection for wrongful activity. We don’t condone it, we educate on it and we do our best to help curb it, but we shouldn’t be held responsible for the bad actions of others.”