Sony Wants to Block Your Internet Access if You Pirate

A major legal battle is unfolding in the U.S. as record labels, including Sony Music, Warner Bros., and Universal, pressure ISPs to take harsher action against piracy. At the center is Texas-based provider Grande Communications, found liable for not disconnecting users repeatedly flagged for copyright infringement.

Sony Wants to Block Your Internet Access if You Pirate

After losing the case in 2023 and exhausting appeals in 2024, Grande is now turning to the Supreme Court. The ruling claims the ISP should have taken “basic steps” like terminating access upon multiple infringement notices.

The plaintiffs argue that failing to act after two warnings makes the ISP a contributory infringer. They hire tracking firms like Rightscorp to detect pirated content shared via BitTorrent, then send IP addresses to ISPs expecting action.

Grande insists that cutting service based on mere allegations is excessive. They argue such measures could unjustly impact innocent users, disrupt remote learning, and even disable medical devices. The company calls the requirement “unworkable and deeply concerning.”

The case also highlights legal ambiguities. How many notices justify termination? What if there’s a long gap between them? What if users deny or explain the alleged behavior? These unanswered questions point to the need for a more defined legal framework from Congress.

While ISPs have been included in recent anti-piracy policy discussions, the lack of a standardized enforcement mechanism leaves them vulnerable to lawsuits. The court originally fined Grande over $46 million, though that amount is under review.

Ultimately, the Supreme Court’s response could reshape how internet providers handle copyright disputes — potentially shifting the burden of enforcement onto ISPs in a way never seen before.

via AnimeCorner