Supreme Court Blow: ISP Bill Payers Aren't Piracy Police or Instantly Liable

The Supreme Court denied an appeal by Voltage Holdings in a case involving alleged piracy of the movie 'Revolt' via BitTorrent. The company targeted 30 internet bill payers as liable for infringement but failed to provide evidence linking them to the piracy. The Federal Court and Court of Appeal both ruled against Voltage, emphasizing the need for direct evidence of authorization for file-sharing. The Supreme Court's refusal to hear the appeal upholds these decisions, requiring plaintiffs like Voltage to gather more substantial evidence before seeking default judgments. The case highlights the importance of proving a direct link between internet subscribers and infringing activities, rather than relying solely on notices of infringement. The outcome sets a precedent for future copyright infringement cases in Canada, emphasizing the burden of proof on copyright owners and the need for a clear demonstration of authorization.