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January 15, 2014

Federal Court Strikes Down Net Neutrality Rules 
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A federal appeals court has struck down federal rules promoting equal
access to the Internet. The telecom giant Verizon had challenged Federal
Communications Commission regulations on net neutrality that force
Internet providers to provide all content at equal speeds, regardless of
the company's own business interests. Advocates say the rules defend
against corporate abuses and help preserve an open Internet. But the
court ruled Tuesday that because the Internet is not a utility,
companies are free to make side deals for faster streaming of their
websites and services. In a statement, former FCC Commissioner Michael
Copps said the decision "is poised to end the free, open, and uncensored
Internet that we have come to rely on." He added: "Without prompt
corrective action to reclassify broadband, this awful ruling will serve
as a sorry memorial to the corporate abrogation of free speech."

 

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