[Chapter-delegates] Keeping people connected: ISOC Amicus filing in Cox v. Sony, US Supreme Court

[Dr. Joseph Lorenzo Hall]

Dear Internet Society chapters and members,

The Internet Society filed an amicus brief with the US Supreme Court on Friday, 5 September, in a case on whether Internet Service Providers should be liable and forced to cut off subscribers for suspected music copyright infringement.

We filed in this case, known as Cox v. Sony, to highlight the consequences of disconnecting people from the Internet, and the impact for online privacy and security if ISPs are forced to monitor for copyright infringement.

Subscriber accounts in this case include regional ISPs, universities, hotels, and similar organizations with thousands or even tens of thousands of innocent people who could be disconnected from the Internet. We explain the impact an Internet shutdown would have on people’s jobs, education, health, and access to news and information.

Our filing tells the story of Internet Society and Truist grantee Wave 7<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H7ao-KETX4&ab_channel=InternetSociety>, a small family-fun ISP that serves a small rural community in North Carolina with affordable connections and free Wi-Fi and educational programs at the local library.

We also explain the potential impact on community networks and local government initiatives for free Internet access.

Our blog, "Your Internet Access Is at Risk. We’re Speaking Up,"<https://www.internetsociety.org/blog/2025/09/your-internet-access-is-at-risk-were-speaking-up/> provides more information about the case and our arguments.

The Internet Society amicus curiae brief (a legal document) is available here: https://www.internetsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ISOC-Amicus-Brief-Cox-v.-Sony.pdf

The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case early next year, and the Court’s ruling is likely to be made in June 2026.

Best wishes, Dr. Joe and the Internet Society Amicus team


--

Joseph Lorenzo Hall PhD

Distinguished Technologist, Internet Society

hall at isoc.org<mailto:hall at isoc.org> | +1-703-483-9504

internetsociety.org<http://internetsociety.org> | @internetsociety

pgp: 3CA28D7B9F6DDBD34B1016075F86698740A9A871


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