cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/37157681
The battle over a $1 billion piracy judgment against internet provider Cox Communications has reached the Supreme Court, where the company receives broad support. Amicus briefs from the U.S. government, major tech companies, and various other parties, warn that the current ruling creates a dangerous precedent. They argue that the Fourth Circuit ruling, which makes passive service providers liable for their customers’ actions, invokes broad liability and puts people’s internet access at risk.
Absolutely not. They should be common carriers with zero weighting and even zero knowledge about what transits their network.
Agreed. This whole lawsuit is one giant looming catastrophe. If ISP’s are found liable for copyright infringement, that will be the effective end of the open internet. From there, I can already see the argument taking shape that ISP’s, telco’s, and account holders are all effectively accomplices in all sorts of crimes facilitated using communications networks.