Verizon Sues FCC Over Net Neutrality Rules 275
The Washington Post reports that Verizon has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission over the net neutrality rules they adopted last month. Quoting:
"Verizon argues that the FCC does not have the legal authority to mandate how Internet service providers treat content on their networks. A legal challenge was widely expected, and the FCC has said it thinks Congress enabled the agency to pursue its rules under several interpretations of telecommunications laws. The FCC's rules are supported by consumer groups and Web giants such as Google and Facebook. Verizon filed its case in the same federal court — the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia — that ruled last April that the FCC overstepped its authority in trying to sanction Comcast for blocking Web traffic. 'We are deeply concerned by the FCC's assertion of broad authority for sweeping new regulation of broadband networks and the Internet itself,' said Michael E. Glover, Verizon's senior vice president and deputy general counsel. 'We believe this assertion of authority goes well beyond any authority provided by Congress, and creates uncertainty for the communications industry, innovators, investors and consumers.'"
Of course they did (Score:2, Insightful)
Verizon asked (nay, demanded!) they get their way. They didn't, so they're crying like little babies. Hmm...the rules are applauded by websites, and pissed on by ISPs. I am jack's complete lack of surprise.
Re:Verizon is correct (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Verizon is correct (Score:4, Insightful)
Actually, a better way to look at that article would be "spreading the wealth around"...only with private companies instead of private citizens.
SOCIALISM, OH NOES
Re:Verizon is correct (Score:4, Insightful)
Net neutrality takes away the power of private cable companies to censor content, but it does not give the government authority to do so.
And further, this is an example of the government doing exactly what it's meant to - stopping private companies walking all over everyone in the pursuit of profit.
If the FCC can't save us, how bout the DOJ? (Score:5, Insightful)
The United States vs. Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, and Time Warner has a nice ring to it.
Re:Verizon is correct (Score:5, Insightful)
Those cables run over and under public property and cross state boundaries, they also enter the private properties of citizens whose rights must always be protected.
Net Neutrality, us a neutral digital communications system, no censorship, no prejudicial traffic bias, no communications disruptions to suit profit or political goals, basically it is all about treating the internet as an extension of the private telephone system, exchanging analogue voice communication for digital communications but maintaining the same principles of not monitoring, no censorship, no traffic blocking, no purposeful disruptions of service.
Laws of the land are created by the government based upon the constitution, corporations regardless of their psychopathic greed are bound by those laws. If you want to communications companies the laws will govern how you operate, don't like the laws, well simple go into some other industry.
Re:Verizon is correct (Score:3, Insightful)
Don't know, but obviously the government should say "NO" every time a private company begs for money. The company has no right to raid the taxpayer (our) wallets for cash. I consider that theft.
Re:Verizon is correct (Score:5, Insightful)
That's our point, CPU...they HAVEN'T told the ISPs no, and, at least in the USA, ISPs have received billions in direct and indirect subsidies. Arguing that the FCC has no authority here became meaningless the instant ISPs benefited at the expense of taxpayers.
Re:Of course they did (Score:5, Insightful)
Weren't we all 'against' this version of FCC's net neutrality??? It wasn't exactly what most people wanted, and it only passed because it appeased to cable lobbyists (ie. ATT, Level 3, etc.).
As the net neutrality rules were about to be passed, this was posted on slashdot: http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/12/21/1510232/Obama-FCC-Caves-On-Net-Neutrality [slashdot.org] which pointed to this article -> http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-karr/obama-fcc-caves-on-net-ne_b_799435.html [huffingtonpost.com] . Sorry I don't know HTML....
What I don't get here is that a lot are praising the net neutrality and are against Verizon, but if you read through that earlier slashdot post, a lot of people were against this version of Net Neutrality because it really didn't give that freedom we wanted, not all of it, and nowhere near it..... I wonder what changed since the rules by FCC have not changed...
Just thought I'd point out this old slashdot article out..
Re:Of course they did (Score:3, Insightful)
Oh that's right, it's a CORPORATION that's suing, not an PERSON.
Maybe we need to get the Supreme Court to declare that people are corporations, that way we can have the same rights.
Re:Of course they did (Score:3, Insightful)