Cox Communications v. Sony (2026): No Contributory Copyright Liability for ISPs for User Piracy; Hollywood and RIAA Demand “Alternative Enforcement Tool”

by Stephan Kinsella on July 13, 2026

The Supreme Court just told the copyright cartels that your ISP isn’t liable when you pirate something, because the ISP didn’t tell you to do it.

So what’s Hollywood’s response? They’re openly demanding an “alternative enforcement tool,” which is the polite way of saying they’ll… pic.twitter.com/VfrlmHOAtE

— Free Talk Live (@FreeTalkLive) July 14, 2026

Justices reject billion-dollar judgment for copyright infringement by internet service provider
Cox Communications v. Sony Entertainment
RIAA Statement on Supreme Court Decision in Cox Case: “We are disappointed in the Court’s decision vacating a jury’s determination that Cox Communications contributed to mass scale copyright infringement, based on overwhelming evidence that the company knowingly facilitated theft. To be effective, copyright law must protect creators and markets from harmful infringement and policymakers should look closely at the impact of this ruling. The Court’s decision is narrow, applying only to ‘contributory infringement’ cases involving defendants like Cox that do not themselves copy, host, distribute, or publish infringing material or control or induce such activity.”
MPA Statement on Supreme Court Ruling in Cox Communications vs. Sony Music Entertainment (March 25, 2026):WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court today issued a ruling in the case of Cox Communications vs. Sony Music Entertainment. The following is a statement from Karyn Temple, Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel for the Motion Picture Association.
“We are disappointed in today’s Supreme Court decision, which upends the critical legal doctrine of contributory infringement for copyright that has served as a key factor fostering cooperation between rightsholders, internet service providers, and other online intermediaries. As the Supreme Court had previously observed, secondary liability, including contributory infringement, is ‘the only practical alternative’ for addressing widespread online theft. Unfortunately, the Court’s opinion today ignores this well-established rule and congressional intent, which is particularly disappointing amidst a growing consensus about the need for more accountability for facilitating harmful online conduct, not less. Despite today’s ruling, the MPA will continue to use all available legal tools to protect our members’ valuable intellectual property and the over 2 million American jobs our industry supports.”

None of this is a surprise. The Copyright fascists will never stop.