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FCC

Copps Displays FCC Leadership

Federal Communications Commissioner Michael Copps has managed the art of saying much in a few words.  His latest salvo came in a 245-word letter to the editor in the Washington Post, in which he not only savaged yet another misbegotten Washington Post editorial about Internet policy, but also took on the Verizon-Google joint policy “recommendation” and then noted the cruel reality of the agency to which he has devoted almost nine years of his professional career.

He, and others, recognize that this is a unique time in the history of the FCC, and perhaps of regulation and politics.  It happens from time to time in Congress that a legislator will vote against a bill that he or she has introduced, usually after an amendment has been added that drastically changes the bill, or in the case of some shift in the political dynamic.

Public Knowledge Expects ‘Prompt’ FCC Action To Protect Broadband Consumers

For Immediate Release: 
September 1, 2010

The Federal Communications Commission issued a public notice, putting out for public comment two elements in the policy suggestion from Verizon and Google.  The following statement is attributed to Gigi B. Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge:

PK In the Know Podcast: Interview with WFMU's Ken Freedman

A transcript is available here. You can download and listen to the audio by clicking here (MP3) or stream it using the player below:

Want to subscribe to our podcast? Click here for the MP3 feed and here for the mixed audio/video feed.

The Incredible Shrinking FCC

When Federal Communications Commissioner (FCC) Michael Copps issued a brief, two-sentence reaction to the news of a policy agreement between Verizon and Google over Net Neutrality, he deliberately emphasized one word.  In bold face and italics, Copps said that a “decision” had to be made, to guarantee an open Internet.

"Some will claim this announcement moves the discussion forward.  That’s one of its many problems.  It is time to move a decision forward—a decision to reassert FCC authority over broadband telecommunications, to guarantee an open Internet now and forever, and to put the interests of consumers in front of the interests of giant corporations.”

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Why I'm Amused Rather Than Outraged Over New "Industry Negotiations" -- And What The Democrats Need To Understand

I occassionally suspect my colleagues in the Public Interest community lack a sense of humor -- although perhaps it is simply that I am in a more relaxed frame of mind after my annual vacation from the 21st Century. I am neither surprised nor outraged at the recent news that members of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC) are picking up where the FCC "secret meetings" left off and trying to come up with a net neutrality consensus framework. To me, it seems rather sad and funny. My only surprise is that even in Washington, the notion of an industry trade association working with its members is anything unusual or significant. I mean, that's what industry trade associations do after all.

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Don’t Be Distracted By The Shiny Announcement: PK Urges the FCC to Keep Moving on the Third Way

Today, Public Knowledge filed reply comments in the FCC’s “Third Way” docket, urging the Commission to take the steps necessary to protect consumers online.

With all of the commotion over this week’s Google/Verizon announcement, it is important to remember that the major decisions about broadband classification (and net neutrality) will be made at the FCC.

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A Guide to the Network Neutrality Discussions at the FCC by Marvin Ammori

Law Professor and advocate in Cyberlaw, Marvin Ammori tells us in a guest blog about what could possibly be happening in the "backroom deals" at the FCCi around Net Neutralityi. Ammori was the lead lawyer on the net neutrality case against Comcast when Comcast blocked peer-to-peer technologies.

New Media Rights and UCAN file Comments in FCC Broadband Reclassification Proceeding

New Media Rights FCC comments on Broadband Legal Framework and the "Third Way"

New Media Rights' comments to the FCCi on the broadband legal framework and the "Third Way" include:

Discussion of concerns regarding content level regulation and its affect on the generativity of the internet as well as copyright regulation.

Classification of terrestrial wireless broadband services and its impact on Consumer Protection.

Legal and Procedural Considerations Regarding the “Third Way”

Mera Szendro Bok's picture

FCC gets an earful at Stanford public hearing on the need for diversity

Didn't make it to the latest FCCi hearing in Stanford, CA on media consolidation ? Here is a resource for a quick update.

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