The nation's largest telephone and cable companies -- including AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Time Warner Cable -- want to be Internet gatekeepers, deciding which Web sites go fast or slow and which won't load at all.
They want to tax content providers to guarantee speedy delivery of their data. And they want to discriminate in favor of their own search engines, Internet phone services and streaming video -- while slowing down or blocking services offered by their competitors.
These companies have a new vision for the Internet. Instead of a level playing field, they want to reserve express lanes for their own content and services -- or those of big corporations that can afford the steep tolls -- and leave the rest of us on a winding dirt road.
The big phone and cable companies are spending hundreds of millions of dollars lobbying Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to gut Net Neutrality, putting the future of the Internet at risk.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Musicians Will Suffer
Musicians: Plug Into Net Neutrality at the FCC!
A short while ago we told you about the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on net neutrality. You may recall that we were thrilled to see the Commission was taking a proactive steps to ensure that the internet remains open and accessible to all. Even more encouraging was the fact that the FCC would be soliciting comments from stakeholders and the public, which of course includes musicians and fans.
Net neutrality is the principle that protects the open internet. It means that the smallest bedroom artist can use the same essential technology as the hugest band or label to get their music to potential audiences. The open internet has inspired an astounding array of widgets, applications and services that make it easier than at any other time in history for fans to legally access music, and for artists to engage in direct communication with listeners. All of this is due to the open structures of the web.
But some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) want to charge content creators (like musicians) a higher fee for the faster delivery of their sites and services. Those who couldn’t afford to — or didn’t want to — pay a “toll” would be stuck in the slow lane of the information superhighway. This would have a hugely negative impact on today’s artists, who depend on the open internet to reach fans, sell merchandise, distribute and promote their music, book shows and pretty much everything else that doesn’t involve getting on stage and playing. Actually, it helps there, too! Webcasting lets people around the world “tune in” to live performances. Case in point: Erin McKeown’s hugely successful “Cabin Fever” concerts, where she played sets from exotic locations around her house, broadcast live to fans around the world.
As we mentioned, the FCC is seeking public input on draft rules that would codify and supplement existing principles to safeguard the internet’s openness. This process is intended to secure and protect the many economic and social benefits of the open Internet by preventing anyone from restricting the free flow of lawful content and applications online.
FMC has built an online tool to help musicians, composers and songwriters file public comments in this proceeding. We think it’s incredibly important for the Commission to hear from the creative community on this issue. By using this musician-friendly app, all artists — big and small — can make their voices heard on a crucial issue. It’s actually kind of fun, too — a great chance to tell a Federal agency about how awesome you are.
You’ll be in great company: we’ve already seen comments from Kronos Quartet, R.E.M., Erin McKeown, Franz Nicolay of The Hold Steady, Imani Winds and more. We’ve also heard that groups like hip-hop heroes Dead Prez will also be submitting soon. Our comments tool guarantees your views will be submitted as part of the official FCC record. How cool is that?
Why not take a few moments to tell the FCC how you use the internet in your life and career? Check out our FCC Open Internet page to make your voice heard. Comments close on Jan. 14, so step lively!
A short while ago we told you about the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on net neutrality. You may recall that we were thrilled to see the Commission was taking a proactive steps to ensure that the internet remains open and accessible to all. Even more encouraging was the fact that the FCC would be soliciting comments from stakeholders and the public, which of course includes musicians and fans.
Net neutrality is the principle that protects the open internet. It means that the smallest bedroom artist can use the same essential technology as the hugest band or label to get their music to potential audiences. The open internet has inspired an astounding array of widgets, applications and services that make it easier than at any other time in history for fans to legally access music, and for artists to engage in direct communication with listeners. All of this is due to the open structures of the web.
But some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) want to charge content creators (like musicians) a higher fee for the faster delivery of their sites and services. Those who couldn’t afford to — or didn’t want to — pay a “toll” would be stuck in the slow lane of the information superhighway. This would have a hugely negative impact on today’s artists, who depend on the open internet to reach fans, sell merchandise, distribute and promote their music, book shows and pretty much everything else that doesn’t involve getting on stage and playing. Actually, it helps there, too! Webcasting lets people around the world “tune in” to live performances. Case in point: Erin McKeown’s hugely successful “Cabin Fever” concerts, where she played sets from exotic locations around her house, broadcast live to fans around the world.
As we mentioned, the FCC is seeking public input on draft rules that would codify and supplement existing principles to safeguard the internet’s openness. This process is intended to secure and protect the many economic and social benefits of the open Internet by preventing anyone from restricting the free flow of lawful content and applications online.
FMC has built an online tool to help musicians, composers and songwriters file public comments in this proceeding. We think it’s incredibly important for the Commission to hear from the creative community on this issue. By using this musician-friendly app, all artists — big and small — can make their voices heard on a crucial issue. It’s actually kind of fun, too — a great chance to tell a Federal agency about how awesome you are.
You’ll be in great company: we’ve already seen comments from Kronos Quartet, R.E.M., Erin McKeown, Franz Nicolay of The Hold Steady, Imani Winds and more. We’ve also heard that groups like hip-hop heroes Dead Prez will also be submitting soon. Our comments tool guarantees your views will be submitted as part of the official FCC record. How cool is that?
Why not take a few moments to tell the FCC how you use the internet in your life and career? Check out our FCC Open Internet page to make your voice heard. Comments close on Jan. 14, so step lively!
Cons of Internet Regulation
A complete takeover by the government or even other telecommunication giants can lead to violation of net neutrality and will dampen effectiveness of this medium. It will be against net neutrality principle and will allow certain websites to limit their content to paid customers. Internet regulation will also tend to curb the freedom of expression, which is perhaps one of the most conspicuous factors that are instrumental in the success and popularity of this medium. For years the Internet has been an open source of information. A stringent regulation policy will mean limited access to the extensive source of information.
Whether Internet regulation is good or bad might be a matter of debate, but what we can do to increase the effectiveness of this medium is to use it wisely! It is a tool that needs to be used with a sense of responsibility and common sense
Whether Internet regulation is good or bad might be a matter of debate, but what we can do to increase the effectiveness of this medium is to use it wisely! It is a tool that needs to be used with a sense of responsibility and common sense
Pros of Internet Regulation
A stringent internet regulation can help to curb the innumerable illegal activities over the net. Internet regulation will also help to prevent the large number of financial frauds, phishing, identity thefts, credit card thefts and many other illegal activities, which are possible because of the unregulated and unrestrained Internet activities. Although there exist several laws about child pornography or prosecutions of pedophiles, these issues are still rampant on the Internet. Internet regulation will also mean stringent policies over unjustified defamation.
FCC
One of the FCC's five commissioners, Jonathan Adelstein, said during a recent symposium on FCC Internet Video Policy that the FCC's rules shouldn't permit "illegal acts." Sure, illegal downloading is a serious problem, especially if you're a copyright-holding movie studio. But does that mean the FCC is actually against net neutrality, in general?
Basic Definition
Network neutrality (also net neutrality, Internet neutrality) is a principle proposed for user access networks participating in the Internet that advocates no restrictions by Internet Service Providers or governments on content, sites, or platforms, on the kinds of equipment that may be attached, and on the modes of communication allowed, as well as communication that is not unreasonably degraded by other traffic
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