Network Neutrality

FCC Takes Up Net Neutrality (Again)

Ever see the movie Groundhog Day? Sometimes Washington feels a little like that. Case in point: the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today announced its intent to move forward with a net neutrality rulemaking proceeding via a statement from Chairman Tom Wheeler. We’ve seen this movie before, but now we’re gearing up for the sequel.

Déjà vu aside, this is a significant development. On January 14, 2014, a federal appeals court threw out the FCC’s Open Internet Order meant to preserve a level online playing field for creators and other entrepreneurs. Since then, we’ve been waiting to see what Chairman Wheeler’s next move might be. Today, we have our answer.

In a nutshell, Wheeler’s plan involves a public comments proceeding, followed by an expected rulemaking under a different legal rationale than the one the court rejected. Wheeler seems confident that the Commission can issue new rules based on its existing Congressional mandate to “encourage broadband deployment by, among other things, removing barriers to infrastructure deployment, encouraging innovation, and promoting competition.” Others, FMC included, are concerned that this approach may not be the clearest way to protect an open, accessible internet.

Future of Music Coalition on FCC Net Neutrality Next Steps

February 19, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler announced how the FCC will move forward following a recent court decision invalidating the bulk of its 2010 Open Internet Order. This order established basic rules of the road preventing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from choosing winners and losers online based on business or other preferences. Chairman Wheeler declared the FCC’s goal of establishing new rules under a different legal rationale, as well as the opening of a new docket for public comment. read more

Comcast Takeover of Time Warner Cable is a Bum Note for Musicians

On February 12, 2014, news broke that Comcast, already America’s biggest Internet service provider and video distributor, would attempt to buy Time Warner Cable for 45.2 billion dollars. The deal would impact everything from internet access and pricing to how media is delivered.

The following statement is from FMC Interim Executive Director Casey Rae: read more

FMC Statement on Proposed Comcast/TWC Merger

February 13, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC— On February 12, 2014, news broke that Comcast, already America’s biggest Internet service provider and video distributor, would attempt to buy Time Warner Cable.

The following statement is from FMC Interim Executive Director Casey Rae: read more

New Net Neutrality Bills Introduced in House and Senate

On February 3, 2013, Democratic leaders in the US House of Representatives and Senate introduced companion bills to preserve a level online playing field. The move follows a recent court ruling that threw out the Federal Communications Commission’s 2010 Open Internet Order establishing basic rules of the road for Internet Service Providers (ISPs). These rules are meant to prevent the very few companies that provide Internet service from blocking or discriminating against lawful content based on business or other preferences.

Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?
-Johnny Rotten, January 14, 1978

January 14, 1978 was the last official gig by a band many would consider the original punk act: the Sex Pistols. That day was a disappointment for fans of unbridled rock ‘n’ roll. And today—Jan 14, 2014—is likewise a letdown for musicians and everyone else who uses the Internet.

Earlier this morning, a federal appeals court in Washington, DC struck down the Federal Communications Commission’s rules meant to keep the internet open to free expression, entrepreneurship and innovation. By overturning the FCC’s 2010 Open Internet Order, the court in one fell swoop undid almost a decade of YOUR efforts to preserve a level online playing field.

FMC Statement on Federal Appeals Decision re: FCC Net Neutrality Rules

January 14, 2014

Today, a federal appeals court in Washington DC ruled that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lacks the authority to enforce its Open Internet Order, issued in December 2010 and challenged by Verizon. The rules were established to prohibit Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from choosing winners and losers online based on business or other preferences. The court pointed out that the FCC’s lack of authority is a result of its decision in the early 2000s to reclassify broadband as an “information service” as opposed to a “telecommunications service.”

The following statement is attributed to Casey Rae, Interim Executive Director of Future of Music Coalition (FMC), a national non-profit research, education and advocacy organization for musicians. read more

AT&T vs. Creators?

Remember that little thing called net neutrality that FMC and our musician and independent label pals have been talking about for years? Well, this week AT&T made a move that underscores why this principle is so important to creators.

You might already know about how AT&T and other Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are charging subscribers extra if they exceed a certain amount of data per month. This might suck for users, but is within the rights of these corporations to do. Where things get iffy is when an ISP exempts its own services and content—or those of its preferred partners—from being counted against the data caps.

FMC Congratulates Gigi Sohn on FCC Appointment; Salutes Service to Public Interest

November 4, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, it was announced that Gigi Sohn, President and CEO of Public Knowledge as well as one of the organization’s three co-founders, is stepping down from her post to take on the role of Special Counsel for External Affairs in the Office of newly-appointed Federal Communications Commission Chairman Wheeler.

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It’s easy to take the Internet for granted—we use it every day in practically every aspect of our lives. From our personal calendars to our creative projects to our everyday communications, the Internet is how we conduct our business and engage with the world. For artists, the Internet is the crucial means to connect with potential audiences, as well as a powerful platform for creative expression.