EFF to court: The Supreme Court must rein in secondary copyright liability
5 hours ago
- #internet_access
- #copyright
- #supreme_court
- Supreme Court's decision could force ISPs to terminate internet access based on accusations of copyright infringement.
- EFF and other organizations filed an amicus brief urging reversal of the lower court's ruling.
- ISPs may face liability for users' copyright infringement under a 'material contribution' standard.
- The case stems from music companies suing Cox Communications over subscriber infringement.
- Patent Act's secondary liability differs, requiring a product to be incapable of substantial non-infringing use.
- Fourth Circuit's ruling could lead to ISPs terminating access over flimsy infringement claims.
- EFF argues for applying patent law's clear rules on secondary liability in copyright cases.
- Terminating internet access affects households, schools, libraries, and businesses sharing the connection.
- Low-income and communities of color would be disproportionately affected by collective punishment.
- Supreme Court has the chance to correct course and protect public internet access.