FCC general counsel responds to Comcast decision

« License dispute threatens to halt 'Letters to Juliet' release | Main | Hollywood Docket Top 5: AFTRA courting SAG; MPAA vs. boxoffice futures; 'Milkaholic' actress vs. Lohan »

FCC general counsel responds to Comcast decision

Wed Apr 07, 2010 @ 03:44PM PST

Schlick,austin The FCC's top lawyer has taken to the agency's blog to respond to yesterday's big appeals court ruling shooting down the FCC's authority to regulate "net neutrality" on the Web. Austin Schlick says he's "assessing the implications" of the decision "to ensure that the Commission has adequate authority" to execute its goals.

Some highlights from the post:

  • Does the FCC still have a mission in the Internet area? Absolutely. The nation’s broadband networks represent the indispensable infrastructure for American competitiveness and prospects for future job creation, economic growth, and innovation. The Court did not adopt the view that the Commission lacks authority to protect the openness of the Internet. Furthermore, in 2009, Congress directed the agency to develop a plan to ensure that every American has access to broadband. Just three weeks ago, the Commission released its National Broadband Plan. The Plan contains more than 200 recommendations for bringing high-speed service to underserved individuals and communities, and using broadband to promote American competitiveness, education, healthcare, public safety, and civic participation.

The Comcast/BitTorrent opinion has no effect at all on most of the plan, he says. Still, Schlick acknowledges:

  • Yesterday’s decision may affect a significant number of important Plan recommendations. Among them are recommendations aimed at accelerating broadband access and adoption in rural America; connecting low-income Americans, Native American communities, and Americans with disabilities; supporting robust use of broadband by small businesses to drive productivity, growth and ongoing innovation; lowering barriers that hinder broadband deployment; strengthening public safety communications; cyber security; consumer protection, including transparency and disclosure; and consumer privacy. The Commission must have a sound legal basis for implementing each of these recommendations. We are assessing the implications of yesterday’s decision for each one, to ensure that the Commission has adequate authority to execute the mission laid out in the Plan.

Here's the full piece.

TrackBack URL for this entry:
https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451d69069e201347fb7ca5a970c

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference FCC general counsel responds to Comcast decision:


The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter, Esq. blog focuses on how the entertainment and media industries are impacted and influenced by the law. It is edited by Matthew Belloni with contributions from veteran legal reporter Eriq Gardner and others. Before joining The Hollywood Reporter, Belloni was a lawyer at an entertainment litigation firm in Los Angeles. He writes a column for THR devoted to entertainment law. Gardner is a New York-based writer and legal journalist. Send tips or comments to [email protected]

The Hollywood Reporter
Contact: Patrice Atiee at 323.525.2014 or [email protected]


The Hollywood Reporter is Your Complete Film Resource

The columnists and bloggers who write for The Hollywood Reporter have their collective finger on the pulse of the boxoffice. Martin Grove and the other THR columnists deliver their thoughts on the film industry in an uncompromised style. Subscribe to THR today and get the latest views from these film experts and get the latest movie reviews as well.