Internet service provider RCN faces another significant piracy lawsuit from indie film distributor Screen Media Ventures (SMV), adding to its ongoing legal battles with major music companies since 2016.

Under US copyright law, internet providers must terminate accounts of repeat copyright infringers in "appropriate circumstances," though these requirements remain unclear. Several providers, including Cox and Grande Communications, have already faced multi-million dollar damages in similar cases.

SMV initially attempted to join an existing lawsuit against RCN but was denied due to concerns about case broadening. In response, SMV filed a separate lawsuit, arguing that including their claims in the original case would have been more efficient.

Key points of SMV's lawsuit:

• Names 324 copyrighted works affected by RCN's alleged negligence
• Potential damages could exceed $48.6 million
• Seeks injunction requiring RCN to terminate accounts receiving three copyright infringement notices within 72 hours
• Requests blocking access to known pirate sites identified by the US Trade Representative

The lawsuit emphasizes how online piracy interferes with SMV's ability to recoup their marketing investments and distribution costs. While focusing on the most frequently pirated works, SMV's case demonstrates that denying their initial request to join the existing lawsuit may ultimately lead to more complex legal proceedings.

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