A number of ISPs, including RCN and Windstream, are trying to obtain a declaratory judgment on their potential liability for pirating subscribers. At the same time, music rights group BMG says they are improperly trying to hide behind the DMCA's safe harbor.



A Virginia federal jury ruled late in 2015 that an ISP could be held liable for subscribers who share pirated files. Of course, this verdict alerted the ISPs, who suddenly realized they could become the next target.

For example, the ISP RCN accounts for 400,000 subscribers nationwide, and as such it regularly receives takedown requests targeting its subscribers. Many of those notices are sent by BMG and its anti-piracy partner Rightscorp, accusing the ISP of being responsible for the actions of its customers. In response, RCN took legal action a few weeks ago, filing a lawsuit against BMG, seeking declaratory judgment on the matter. The court is asked to determine whether an ISP could be held liable for copyright violation simply because it provides Internet connectivity to its subscribers. The ISP argues that it is merely passing on traffic and thus can enjoy protection under the DMCA’s safe harbor provision.

RCN was swiftly followed by another ISP, Windstream, which relied on similar arguments. In response, BMG has started to push back, asking the court for leave to file a motion to dismiss the complaints. The music rights group accused the ISPs of trying to get broad immunity without going into specifics, such as their repeat infringer policies. As could be seen in the Cox case, the ISPs’ actions and policies play a crucial role in determining liability.

RCN responded by asking the court not to allow the motion to dismiss to be filed, and Windstream is expected to follow the same course.

Thanks to TorrentFreak for providing the source of the article.