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Supreme Court Rules Cox Not Liable for Music Piracy

5/17/2026

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Story summary
  • The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Cox Communications cannot be held liable for piracy of thousands of songs.
  • Music labels and publishers sued Cox in 2018, claiming it failed to cut off service for subscribers flagged for illegal downloading.
  • Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that liability requires intent to facilitate infringement or active encouragement.
  • Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, also concurred for separate reasons.