Category: Internet Neutrality

Seemingly innocuous request by RIAA

The RIAA has asked the FCC that network neutrality rules not prevent anti-piracy efforts.

“In these comments,” the RIAA wrote, “we encourage the FCC to stay its course and explicitly support, encourage, and endorse ISP efforts to fight piracy.”

At first blush, this appears to be an innocuous request, yet historically ISPs have had little responsibility for monitoring traffic for piracy. It’s only been recently that they have handed over subscriber information without a subpoena request. This will create a great cost for ISPs, with the potential effect of raising prices for consumers.

via RIAA: Net neutrality shouldn’t inhibit antipiracy | Media Maverick – CNET News.

Cost-benefit analysis: net neutrality makes economic sense

Interesting economic analysis coming out in support of Net Neutrality for reasons readers of this blog should be familiar with–it codifies the status quo.

But, as IPI notes, that’s because the Internet in the United States is currently running under de facto net neutrality rules already. The ISPs have voluntarily, albeit reluctantly, refrained from cutting priority access deals with content providers. The FCC’s net neutrality proposals would codify many of these voluntary practices into law.

via Cost-benefit analysis: net neutrality makes economic sense.

Many will expect to get it free

Bono: ISPs should filter music, Steve Jobs should make cars.

Ars writes a scathing review of a Times Op-Ed by U2’s Bono. They take him to task for arguing for ISP filtering, despite the fact that concert revenue has been on the rise.

Bono makes one statement that grabs my interest:

The immutable laws of bandwidth tell us we’re just a few years away from being able to download an entire season of “24” in 24 seconds. Many will expect to get it free.

The funny thing about the “free expectation,” I would argue, is that it’s based on our collective media experience over time. We’ve been receiving shows like 24 and music by U2 for free for years via the airwaves, though it’s supported by advertising. One might even argue that a cable bill is much like an bill from an Internet Service Provider–a cable company simply provides a conduit into homes and does not (can not) block Maury Povich, Fox and Friends, or The Colbert Report simply because someone objects to the content.

Just because the post office technically could have opened letters, or ISPs technically could examine packets does not mean it should be done–especially to protect businesses that are more interested in their bottom line than quality content and customer service.

Sneak peek at FCC National Broadband Plan

Sneak peek at FCC National Broadband Plan gets mixed reviews

Good overview of the FCC’s proposed broadband plan.  Perhaps most interesting is the recommendation from the Counselor for Communications Policy of the Embassy of Japan, who argues for the unbundling of essential backbone fiber from broadband services.

I think he’s right–this is key to competition and to innovation. Hopefully the FCC will catch up on this point.