Washington — Before the DC Circuit Court of Appeals today, the FCC struggled to defend its order that rescinded net neutrality rules. Three Appeals Court judges will decide whether the FCC’s actions to abdicate its role in protecting consumers were legal.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association, along with the Entertainment Software Association, Internet Association, and the Writers Guild of America, West filed a court brief in the case asserting that the FCC illegally eviscerated its earlier net neutrality rules. Over the past decade, CCIA has filed numerous legal briefs supporting net neutrality.
The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:
“We thought it was a thorough discussion and as a result, the quality of the arguments on our side were shown to be the most persuasive. The arbitrary and capricious action by the FCC under Chairman Pai, which has threatened the open Internet, now appears to be in legal jeopardy. The judges demonstrated insight into the law and policy underlying it, and we feel confident they will rule in the interest of the public and competition.
“After almost a year and a half, the FCC still struggles to defend why — in the face of significant evidence to the contrary — it needed to abdicate the authority Congress gave it to oversee communications networks, promote broadband access, and protect the public interest.
“Unless this order is overturned, consumers are at risk of abusive practices by big, incumbent internet service providers.”
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