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.

Strengthen copyright, or else!

Michael Geist points to an article about US pressures on Costa Rica for copyright reform.  Truly unbelievable.

Within Costa Rica, the article reports that the copyright provisions in the trade treaty have set off a wave of student protests over what it means for education. Meanwhile, health officials are concerned that the provisions on pharmaceutical products “would bankrupt the public health system.” The response from the U.S. is important as well. It is delaying market access to sugar from the developing country until the copyright reforms are in place. Until that time, Costa Rican sugar producers will not be able to sell their product in the U.S.

via Michael Geist – U.S. To Costa Rica: No Sugar Access Without Copyright Reform.

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.