UMG, BMG, and Concord Launch $1 Billion Copyright Lawsuit Against Altice USA Over Massive Subscriber Piracy
BMG, Concord, and Universal Music Group (UMG) have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit exceeding $1 billion against internet service provider Altice USA. The lawsuit, filed in a Texas federal court, alleges that Altice deliberately ignored its subscribers' copyright infringement activities to maintain subscription revenues.
Altice office building exterior daytime
Key allegations in the lawsuit include:
- Altice received over a million infringement notices involving plaintiffs' works
- Approximately 20,000 Altice subscribers were involved in alleged infringement
- Many subscribers continued infringing for extended periods, from 30 days to several years
- Altice maintained service for repeat infringers to protect subscription revenue
- The company operates in at least 21 states with plans for expansion in Texas
The plaintiffs seek statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringed work, with the total claim exceeding $1 billion. The lawsuit includes 176 pages of allegedly infringed works.
This case follows similar legal actions against other ISPs, including Charter/Bright House, Frontier, and Cox. Altice has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit.
Altice logo against dark city skyline
Altice Building against blue sky
Related Articles
The Fugees' Pras Michel Faces $64M Government Seizure After Embezzlement Case
