Wednesday 23 September 2009

FCC: Congress said we could spank Comcast for P2P blocking - Ars Technica

FCC: Congress said we could spank Comcast for P2P blocking - Ars Technica: "'Congress created the FCC for cases such as this one. Congress gave the agency broad and adaptable jurisdiction so that it can keep pace with rapidly evolving communications technologies,' the FCC wrote on Monday in a brief submitted to the United States Court of Appeals Before the District of Columbia Circuit. 'The Internet is such a technology.' This could be a tough sell for the DC Circuit, given that on the same day as the filing, FCC Chair Julius Genachowski called for the agency to turn its Internet Policy Statement into full-fledged net neutrality rules, along with new principles of transparency and non-discrimination. The policy statement commits the Commission to ensuring that consumers can use the legal applications of their choice on the 'Net. But critics say that it's just a guideline-type philosophical statement and nothing more, and it lacks the Congressional backing needed to stand up in court."

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