[Commons-Law] Preserve Net Neutrality Standards for the Internet!

[Seth Johnson]

(We are seeking more supporters to make sure our Congressfolks
see and hear this proposed legislation today and tomorrow.  If
you want to contact me, my number is (212) 543-4266.  -- Seth)


> http://www.dpsproject.com


Preserve the Internet Standards for Net Neutrality

Facing Reality on Net Neutrality

(Click here for the proposed "Internet Platform for Innovation
Act of 2006" [http://www.dpsproject.com/legislation.html])


Is there a place for fresh thinking and new recommendations in
the infamous "network neutrality" debate? The advocates below
suggest there is. In the following document we recommend the
prosecution of distorted offerings of Internet connectivity as
"deceptive practice."

When several incumbent telephone carriers announced their plans
to give preferential treatment to favored Internet sites, a wide
range of Internet users and designers felt in their guts that it
somehow violated the very meaning of the term "Internet." On the
other hand, many of these people feel uncomfortable letting
Congress set parameters for Internet service. It is safer to deal
with Internet offerings as a market issue, not to legislate
fundamental protocols or router behavior.

As a way to break the impasse, we offer the following draft
language. We believe the gut feeling -- that one cannot
discriminate and still call the service "Internet" -- is founded
in reality. The very term "Internet" suggests that participants
assume their traffic will be passed without interference; the
concept is backed up by over thirty years of standards and ISP
behavior.

In effect, under the present circumstances, the system of
developing specifications, which involves the writing and review
of formal documents known as RFCs, which has held since the
beginning of the Internet, would be tossed out by a few large
providers and equipment manufacturers and replaced by corporate
fiat. The loss of an open, consistent, and predictable platform
would also crimp innovation at higher levels.

Thus, we recommend that Congress clarify the meaning of offering
Internet connectivity and set up rules for the Federal Trade
Commission to enforce the definition.

    * Facing Reality on Net Neutrality (http://dpsproject.com/)
    * Two Types of Neutrality
(http://www.dpsproject.com/twotypes.html)
    * Proposal: The Internet Platform for Innovation Act of 2006
(http://www.dpsproject.com/legislation.html)


Signed,

(Affiliations listed for identification only)

    John Bachir, Lead Developer, Lyceum
    Daniel Berninger, Senior Analyst, Tier1 Research
    Dave Burstein, Editor, DSL Prime
    Steven Cherry, Senior Associate Editor, IEEE Spectrum
    Gordon Cook, Editor, Publisher and Owner since 1992 of the
       COOK Report on Internet Protocol
    Cynthia H. de Lorenzi, Washington Bureau for ISP Advocacy
    Miles R. Fidelman, President, The Center for Civic Networking
    Richard Forno (bio: http://www.infowarrior.org/rick.html)
    Bob Frankston, Telecommunications Analyst and Visionary
    Paul Ginsparg, Cornell University
    Lucas Gonze
    Saleem Jahangeer, Ph.D.
    Seth Johnson, New Yorkers for Fair Use
    Paul Jones, School of Information and Library Science,
       University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
    Peter D. Junger, Professor of Law Emeritus, Case Western
       Reserve University
    Bruce Kushnick, chairman, Teletruth
    Michael Maranda, President, Association For Community
       Networking
    Sascha Meinrath, Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network,
       Free Press
    Edward Mills, Independent Technology Consultant
    John Mitchell, InteractionLaw
    Steve Mossbrook, President, Wyoming.com
    Andy Oram, Editor, O'Reilly Media
    Dave Pentecost, documentary television producer
    Jan L. Peterson, Software Developer
    David P. Reed, contributor to original Internet Protocol
       design
    Pamela Samuelson, Richard M. Sherman Distinguished Professor
       of Law, UC Berkeley
    Clay Shirky, Interactive Telecommunications Program, New York
       University
    Jay Sulzberger, New Yorkers for Fair Use
    Siva Vaidhyanathan, Department of Culture and Communication,
       New York University
    Eric F. Van de Velde, Ph.D., Director, Library Information
       Technology, California Institute of Technology
    Esme Vos, Founder, Muniwireless
    David Weinberger, Fellow, Harvard Berkman Center
    Michael J. Weisman, JD, LLM, Technology and Intellectual
       Property Law and Policy
    Brett Wynkoop, Wynn Data Ltd.