Four more large Internet service providers told the US Supreme Court this week that ISPs shouldn’t be forced to aggressively police copyright infringement on broadband networks.

While the ISPs worry about financial liability from lawsuits filed by major record labels and other copyright holders, they also argue that mass terminations of Internet users accused of piracy “would harm innocent people by depriving households, schools, hospitals, and businesses of Internet access.” The legal question presented by the case “is exceptionally important to the future of the Internet,” they wrote in a brief filed with the Supreme Court on Monday.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    13018 hours ago

    Sony can’t have your electricity cut off if you pirate. Because electricity is a utility.

    ISPs want it both ways. They want the legal protections of a utility without the obligations.

    The solution is to give them the legal protection they want by declaring them a utility.

    • robotica
      link
      fedilink
      English
      58 hours ago

      I wonder if would you get your electricity cut off if you plugged in a 750kW industrial oil drill in your backyard

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        77 hours ago

        The 200A main breaker on most homes would trip a little above 50kW. Could you even start up 1000hp without 3 phase?

    • Snot Flickerman
      link
      fedilink
      English
      25
      edit-2
      18 hours ago

      Those moments when you can’t decide if someone’s username means they’re a science nerd or a Venture Bros. fan.

      Me_irl: