The open Internet’s leading lights spoke out in support of today’s FCC order against Comcast:

Professor Larry Lessig, Stanford Law

In all of my experience reviewing government decisions affecting the Internet, I have read none that are more subtle and sophisticated in their understanding of the Internet, and few that are as important for setting the conditions under which innovation and competition on the Internet will flourish.

As the Order makes clear, the Commission has clearly recognized the importance of the Internet as a platform for technological growth and innovation. It is also an extraordinarily important platform for free speech. Innovation and technological growth are essential components to economic prosperity. Free speech is the single most important element in a democracy.

… By secretly adding a layer of secret sauce into the Internet that interferes with legitimate applications and network services, Comcast has injured the value of the Internet to other innovators. By denying that it has done this, it has added insult to that injury. The Commission has done us all a great service by stating clearly that it will assure that the platform for innovation that the Internet is will not be compromised by such behavior.

Professor David Reed, MIT’s Media Lab and one of the Internet’s founding architects

The Internet is a world-wide system that does not belong to any one operator, whether providing access lines or backbone transport. This is the essence of internetworking. The Internet is not just “another network” owned and operated by a private concern for a set of customers. The Commission order clearly comprehends that special quality that transcends the interests of Comcast or any other access provider.

The strongest part of the order, for me personally, is that it navigates the tough path between heavy-handed regulation and disciplining misbehavior. To me, this is the challenge that separates government by “sound bite” and the difficult work of making our country work.

Professor Jack Balkin, Yale Law and Professor Barbara van Schewick, Stanford Law

By securing end users’ unimpeded access to applications and content, the FCC’s order protects fair competition and economic innovation.

It preserves the Internet’s decentralized structure, which has permitted the Internet to tap the genius of people around the world and create new content and powerful new applications that few could have dreamed of.

… [The order] is the beginning of a sound public policy for the digital age. It is welcome news for consumers, innovators, citizens, and everyone who has come to rely on unimpeded access to the content and applications available on an open Internet.

We commend the Commission for taking this important first step.

Harold Feld, Media Access Project

[The order] states clearly that protecting the open and vibrant character of the internet by prohibiting blocking or degrading of applications does not raise First Amendment issues. To the contrary such action furthers First Amendment values. (In my opinion, this finding alone makes this Order a huge win.)

… We don’t walk away from this, or stop fighting for the rules we need. Tomorrow, we go right back to work — starting with defending this Order from the inevitable appeal. But tonight, we can celebrate another critical win that keeps an open internet possible.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 11:05 am and is filed under Uncategorized.-->