ISP Grande Faces $47 Million Liability for Copyright Infringement Verdict

In a landmark case, ISP Grande Communications has been found liable for copyright infringement and faces a $47 million verdict. The case was brought by the major movie studios, including Disney, Paramount Pictures, Universal, Columbia Pictures, and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. The case was heard in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.

The movie studios alleged that Grande Communications had failed to take steps to prevent its customers from illegally downloading copyrighted movies and television shows. The movie studios argued that Grande was aware of the infringing activity, but failed to take action to stop it.

The court found that Grande had failed to comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Under the DMCA, ISPs are required to take action when notified of infringing activity on their networks. The court found that Grande had failed to do this, and thus was liable for copyright infringement.

The court also found that Grande had failed to implement a “repeat infringer policy” as required by the DMCA. A repeat infringer policy requires ISPs to terminate the accounts of customers who repeatedly engage in copyright infringement. The court found that Grande had not implemented such a policy, and thus was liable for copyright infringement.

The court awarded the movie studios $47 million in damages. This is one of the largest copyright infringement verdicts ever awarded in the United States. It is a clear warning to ISPs that they must take steps to prevent copyright infringement on their networks or face serious liability.

The case is a reminder that ISPs must take steps to comply with the DMCA and other copyright laws. ISPs must ensure that they have a repeat infringer policy in place and that they take action when notified of infringing activity on their networks. Failure to do so can result in significant liability.

Source: Plato Data Intelligence: PlatoAiStream