US: Google, Microsoft, and Amazon join Net Neutrality offense

The lobbying group representing major internet players like Amazon, Netflix, and Google said it plans to join the legal battle over the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) move last month to repeal net neutrality.

The Internet Association (IA) said it would act as an “intervenor” in expected litigation over the FCC’s action. What that means is that the group wouldn’t be filing its own lawsuit, but would join a legal action filed by others. Public interest groups and some state attorneys general have said they intend to challenge the repeal in court.

“The final version of Chairman Pai’s rule, as expected, dismantles popular net neutrality protections for consumers,” Michael Beckerman, president and CEO of the Internet Association, said in a statement. “This rule defies the will of a bipartisan majority of Americans and fails to preserve a free and open internet. IA intends to act as an intervenor in judicial action against this order and, along with our member companies, will continue our push to restore strong, enforceable net neutrality protections through a legislative solution.”

The FCC, in a 3-2 party-line vote, repealed rules that ban internet providers from blocking or throttling content, or from creating “fast lanes” that would be for sale to sites that want speedier access to consumers. They left in place rules that require that ISPs disclose how they handle internet traffic.

The FCC posted the final text version of its action earlier this week, and it is expected to enter the Federal Register in the coming weeks.

Full Content: Fortune

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