Oral Argument: Cox Communications, Inc. v. Sony Music Entertainment | The Billion-Dollar Broadband Battle

Cox Communications, Inc. v. Sony Music Entertainment | The Billion-Dollar Broadband Battle: When ISPs Face Copyright Catastrophe | Oral Argument Date: 12/1/25 | Docket Link: Here

Questions Presented: (1) Did the Fourth Circuit err in holding that a service provider can be held liable for "materially contributing" to copyright infringement merely because it knew that people were using certain accounts to infringe and did not terminate access, without proof that the service provider affirmatively fostered infringement or otherwise intended to promote it? (2) Did the Fourth Circuit err in holding that mere knowledge of another's direct infringement suffices to find willfulness under 17 U.S.C. § 504(c)?

Overview

This case involves a billion-dollar battle between industry titans Sony ($175 billion market cap) and Cox Communications (part of $21 billion Cox Enterprises) that could fundamentally reshape internet service provider liability for customer copyright infringement. The Supreme Court must balance protecting artists' intellectual property rights against maintaining universal internet access in the digital age.

Oral Advocates:

• For Petitioner (Cox Communications): Joshua Rosenkranz, New York, N.Y.
• For United States as Amicus Curiae: Malcolm L. Stewart, Deputy Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
• For Respondent (Sony): Paul D. Clement, Alexandria, Va.

Link to Opinion: TBD.

Website Link to Opinion Summary: TBD.

Website Link to Oral Argument: TBD.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Oral Argument Introduction

[01:28] Oral Argument Begins

[01:36] Petitioner Opening Statement

[03:37] Petitioner Free for All Questions

[19:25] Petitioner Round Robin Questions

[41:21] United States as Amicus Curiae Opening Statement

[42:25] Amicus Curiae Free for All Questions

[51:39] Amicus Curaie Round Robin Questions

[01:01:23] Respondent Opening Statement

[01:03:44] Respondent Free for All Questions

[01:31:48] Respondent Round Robin Questions

[01:39:19] Petitioner Rebuttal