In a collective effort, Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group have initiated legal proceedings against Verizon, accusing the internet service provider of enabling widespread copyright violations by a large number of its users.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan on July 12, alleges that Verizon has negligently allowed the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted content by providing high-speed internet services to a significant community of online infringers. These infringers are said to be attracted to Verizon’s fast download speeds, which facilitate the illegal downloading and sharing of copyrighted music through platforms like BitTorrent. The labels claim that Verizon’s offering of even faster internet at premium prices effectively profits from this illegal activity.
According to the complaint, Verizon has created a haven for copyright infringement, despite receiving more than 340,000 notices from the labels since early 2020. The company purportedly turned a blind eye to these notifications, prioritizing its own financial gain over its legal responsibilities.
“Verizon, known for its ‘Can you hear me now?’ ads, has chosen to ignore the grievances of copyright holders,” states the lawsuit. “Rather than addressing the misuse of its network by customers, Verizon deliberately ignored the notifications from the labels, disregarding crucial information and putting its profits above compliance with the law.”
In addition, the labels have submitted a non-exhaustive list comprising 17,335 copyrighted works allegedly infringed upon by Verizon customers. The list, spanning 408 pages, includes tracks by popular artists such as Beyoncé, Drake, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Cardi B, Lorde, Nirvana, Blink-182, and many others.
The lawsuit seeks significant damages that could exceed $2.6 billion, reflecting potential statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringed work.
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