NEW JERSEY (CelebrityAccess) – Universal Music Group, Sony Music Group and Warner Music Group along with 14 other record companies, have joined forces to sue internet service provider RCN Corporation alleging the company facilitated, allowed and profited from widespread copyright infringement of music on its platform.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed Aug. 27 in New Jersey, the plaintiffs contend that RCN was sent “more than five million notices” indicating that its customers were using the company’s internet services to “engage in infringement of copyrighted works including tens of thousands of blatant infringements by repeat infringers.”
The information regarding the infringements was collected from notices sent by Rightscorp Inc., which identifies copyright infringements on the internet using IP addresses, port numbers, times and dates.
The plaintiffs are also arguing that RCN could have easily taken action against the infringers by terminating their accounts, however, didn’t because they earned a direct financial benefit from the infringement by utilizing it to encourage new customers, who knew they wouldn’t be reprimanded, to sign up for its services.
The labels are reportedly seeking up to $150,000 in statutory damages for each infringed work.
