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2015-08-20

Internet Association To File Brief In Support of FCC, Net Neutrality

Internet Association's Notice of Intent to File an Amicus Curiae Brief in support of FCC and US government
On August 7, 2015, counsel for the Internet Association filed a Notice of Intent to File an Amicus Curiae Brief (pdf) in support of the Respondents, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the United States of America, in a pending appeal filed by the United States Telecom Association et al, Petitioners. Oral argument is scheduled for December 4, 2015.

The United States Telecom Association (domain name: ustelecom.org) is a trade association representing telecom companies (AT&T, Verizon, and others) who oppose the FCC's Open Internet, Net Neutrality rules adopted February 26, 2015, which ensure "consumers and businesses have access to a fast, fair, and open Internet."

The Internet Association (domain name: internetassociation.org) represents "America’s leading Internet companies and their global community of users." (source: Internet Association)

Internet Association members include Airbnb, Amazon, Auction.com, Coinbase, eBay, Etsy, Expedia, Facebook, FanDuel, Gilt, Google, Groupon, IAC, Intuit, LinkedIn, Lyft, Monster Worldwide, Netflix, Pandora, PayPal, Pinterest, Practice Fusion, Rackspace, Reddit, Salesforce.com, Sidecar, Snapchat, SurveyMonkey, TripAdvisor, Twitter, Uber Technologies, Inc., Yahoo!, Yelp, Zenefits, and Zynga.

Open Internet | FCC.gov: "An Open Internet means consumers can go where they want, when they want. This principle is often referred to as Net Neutrality. It means innovators can develop products and services without asking for permission. It means consumers will demand more and better broadband as they enjoy new lawful Internet services, applications and content, and broadband providers cannot block, throttle, or create special "fast lanes" for that content. The FCC's Open Internet rules protect and maintain open, uninhibited access to legal online content without broadband Internet access providers being allowed to block, impair, or establish fast/slow lanes to lawful content. --The Rules--Adopted on February 26, 2015, the FCC's Open Internet rules are designed to protect free expression and innovation on the Internet and promote investment in the nation's broadband networks. The Open Internet rules are grounded in the strongest possible legal foundation by relying on multiple sources of authority, including: Title II of the Communications Act and Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. As part of this decision, the Commission also refrains (or "forbears") from enforcing provisions of Title II that are not relevant to modern broadband service. Together Title II and Section 706 support clear rules of the road, providing the certainty needed for innovators and investors, and the competitive choices and freedom demanded by consumers. The Open Internet rules went into effect on June 12, 2015. They are ensuring consumers and businesses have access to a fast, fair, and open Internet. The new rules apply to both fixed and mobile broadband service." (emphasis added)

 See also on Domain Mondo:
See also: Upgrading Media Rules to Better Serve Consumers in Today’s Video Marketplace | FCC.gov: "In December of last year, Congress passed bipartisan legislation known as the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR) Act of 2014, which instructs and permits the Commission to modernize rules regarding the satellite, cable, and broadcast television markets. Today, I am circulating a bundle of orders and proposals that fulfill this mandate to better reflect today’s media marketplace and further protect the public interest." -- Tom Wheeler, FCC Chairman