Washington, D.C. Future of Music Coalition — a national nonprofit that seeks a bright future for musicians and listeners — recognizes the importance of today’s FCC decision ordering Comcast to stop interfering with legal internet traffic, disclose to the FCC its network management practices and to alert consumers about any changes to its methods.

“Chairman Kevin Martin and Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein deserve enormous credit for recognizing that a legitimate digital music marketplace cannot emerge unless there are consistent and transparent rules that allow a level playing field for innovators, consumers and creators,” said FMC Policy Director Michael Bracy. “The ability to use legal applications is crucial to an internet that fosters innovation, commerce and creativity.”

Tests of Comcast’s broadband service by the Associated Press found that the network operator blocked access to legal peer-to-peer content by interrupting connections between users’ computers. Other individuals and organizations independently confirmed these conclusions through network testing. Today’s decision would end such discriminatory practices.

Future of Music Coalition has long advocated for responsible government policies that reflect the value of open internet structures to creators and the public. FMC believes that artists should decide how they digitally distribute their work, and innovators should have room to design and implement new delivery mechanisms. Since the organization’s inception in 2000, FMC has sought to heighten awareness of network neutrality in the music community and beyond, starting with position papers and continuing with its musician-centric Rock the Net campaign, which launched in 2007 and now has close to 1,000 members, including founding artists R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Death Cab for Cutie and Kronos Quartet.

“The internet is the place where artists and fans come together to experience the thrill of music and discovery,” said FMC Executive Director Ann Chaitovitz. “To prevent musicians from using the web to reach potential audiences would replicate the problems with commercial radio, where ownership consolidation means less choice for listeners and a lack of access for most artists. Today’s FCC decision will help ensure this doesn’t happen to the internet.”

Future of Music Coalition’s new compilation CD, Rock the Net: Musicians for Net Neutrality, was released via Thirsty Ear Recordings on July 29. With top-level artists such as Wilco, Aimee Mann, Bright Eyes, They Might Be Giants, The Wrens and more donating tracks, the album showcases the growing support among the music community for preserving open internet structures.