[IP] CDT Calls for Legislation to Preserve Internet Neutrality
For the record, I have ALWAYS been willing to send points of view I may or
may not disagree with, GIVEN they are reasoned and well stated.
Dave
---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: Fwd: CDT Calls for Legislation to Preserve Internet Neutrality
From: "John Morris" <jmorris@xxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, June 20, 2006 9:50 am
To: "David Farber" <dave@xxxxxxxxxx>
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Dave,
Although we reach a different conclusion than you do on the
"neutrality" debates, your IP readers might be interested in a paper
that CDT just released supporting a narrow approach to "Internet
neutrality". Our paper, available at
http://www.cdt.org/speech/20060620neutrality.pdf, is summarized in
the release below. Also included below is a link to a paper that CDT
commissioned by MIT's Danny Weitzner, taking a look at the net
neutraltiy issues from a technologist's perspective.
John Morris
Center for Democracy & Technology
At 9:00 AM -0400 6/20/06, David McGuire wrote:
>CDT Calls for Legislation to Preserve Internet Neutrality
>
>WASHINGTON -- June 20, 2006 -- The Center for Democracy and
>Technology (CDT) today called on lawmakers to enact narrowly
>tailored legislation to preserve the essential neutrality and
>openness of the Internet, while leaving broadband network providers
>free to experiment with non-neutral arrangements elsewhere on their
>networks.
>
>The Internet is fundamentally neutral, and that neutrality has been
>critical to its unique role as an engine for free speech and
>innovation, CDT finds in a new paper
>(http://www.cdt.org/speech/20060620neutrality.pdf). In the
>narrowband world, adherence to that neutrality was widely accepted.
>When Congress first permitted commercial traffic on the Internet, it
>did so with the understanding that information providers would be
>treated equally.
>
>But as new broadband networks evolve, recent legal decisions,
>regulatory changes, announcements by network owners and a
>consolidating market have put that essential neutrality at
>significant risk.
>
>"The open and neutral Internet is a unique engine of free
>expression, innovation and commerce. CDT has long promoted and
>defended the Internet as a true technology of freedom. We cannot
>take risks with its future," CDT Executive Director Leslie Harris
>said. "Once new, non-neutral networks and business arrangements have
>been put in place on the Internet, overturning those arrangements is
>likely to be extremely difficult. If the telecom bill happens this
>year, net neutrality language must be included. It is better to
>establish rules of the road in advance, so that neutrality will be
>factored into network architecture and business plans from the
>start."
>
>CDT reached its conclusions after months of careful study and
>consultation with stakeholders from all sides of the debate. As part
>of that process, CDT commissioned a separate paper on the subject by
>Daniel Weitzner, available here
>http://dig.csail.mit.edu/2006/06/neutralnet.html .
>
>In its paper, CDT makes five key findings: 1) today's Internet is
>neutral in a number of crucial ways; 2) neutrality is rooted in the
>Internet's history and has been central to its development as a tool
>for innovation and free expression; 3) the future of that essential
>neutrality is uncertain -- endangered by regulatory and commercial
>developments that open the door for discriminatory behavior by
>network providers; 4) legislation is warranted; and 5) legislation
>should take a narrow approach that focuses on Internet neutrality,
>rather than the broader question of "network neutrality," and does
>so in the least restrictive, yet still effective way.
>
>CDT found that it is vital to make a clear distinction between
>"Internet neutrality" and the more ambiguous principle of "network
>neutrality." The broadband networks that would be affected by
>neutrality legislation also carry cable television and other
>non-Internet services over much of their bandwidth. CDT believes
>that current legislation should be focused specifically on the
>portion of broadband networks dedicated to the Internet. For the
>portion of the network not devoted to the Internet, CDT believes
>that legislation should require regular monitoring and reporting to
>ensure that as new services are deployed, they do not crowd or
>undermine the neutral Internet.
>
>"Whatever Congress decides on this issue will affect the Internet
>for decades to come," CDT Staff Counsel David Sohn said. "If we can
>get the right rules in place, it will help ensure that the Internet
>remains a tool for democracy, industry and expression for new
>generations of users."
>
>Added Sohn: "We need to move forward legislatively but we also need
>dialogue to ensure that we get it right. We don't want to impede the
>growth of new broadband networks or intrude into their non-Internet
>operations, but legislation that simply sets out consumer rights
>without prohibiting discriminatory treatment falls short of the mark
>in protecting the essential Internet. Such an approach would give
>the FCC too much discretion and too little guidance. We believe that
>net neutrality rules need to be clear in the statute so that the
>Commission is in an enforcement role, not a regulatory one. We
>intend to work with all parties to perfect legislation as the
>process moves forward."
>
>About CDT: The Center for Democracy and Technology works to promote
>democratic values and constitutional liberties in the digital age.
>With expertise in law, technology, and policy, CDT seeks practical
>solutions to enhance free expression and privacy in global
>communications technologies. CDT is dedicated to building consensus
>among all parties interested in the future of the Internet and other
>new communications media.
>
>--30--
>
>--
>--------------------------------------------------
>David McGuire
>Director of Communications
>Center for Democracy & Technology
>(202) 637 9800 x106
>(202) 423 7432 (mob)
>--------------------------------------------------
>_______________________________________________
>http://www.cdt.org/mailman/listinfo/update
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