IP Democracy: Judiciary Passes Net Neutrality Bill

The House Judiciary Committee made good on its word — it voted out today by a margin of 20 to 13 a net neutrality bill, H.R. 5417, the Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006, that makes it a violation of the antitrust laws for broadband providers to discriminate against third party content and application providers.

Net neutrality regulation proponents cheered the move, which represents a challenge to the telecom reform bill voted out by the rival House Commerce Committee. That bill contains what many net neutrality proponents believe are weak and toothless net neutrality requirements.

Gigi Sohn, President of Public Knowledge, said in a statement:

We are very pleased that the Committee this afternoon approved the Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act. The legislation would go a long way to making certain that antitrust law functions in a broadband marketplace in which two industries provide 98 percent of the service. It would also restore the principles of non-discrimination that were so critical to the development of the Internet.

A new coalition (at least new to me) backed by Silicon Valley companies such as Yahoo!, eBay, Google and Amazon.com, also cheered the quick action by Judiciary. In a statement, ItsYourNet coalition said:

Today is a great day for the Internet. Today, the U.S House of Representatives’ Committee on Judiciary passed H.R. 5417, “The Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006”, which ensures that the Internet will continue as a vital force for innovation and economic benefit for all Americans. This bi-partisan bill, sponsored by Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner and Ranking Member John Conyers, recognizes the importance of meaningful and enforceable Net Neutrality legislation that will protect the rights of millions of Internet users.

Posted by Cynthia Brumfield on May 25, 2006 5:07 PM to IP Democracy