The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that internet service providers are generally not responsible for the illegal distribution and downloading of music on their services, a blow to the music recording i...

The Supreme Court unanimously said on Wednesday that a major internet provider could not be held liable for the piracy of thousands of songs online in a closely watched copyright clash.

Other ISPs, such as AT&T and Verizon, backed Cox during the fight, saying the appeals court’s decision “threatens to saddle internet service providers with responsibility for virtually every bad act.”