Net Neutrality Legislation – Two Different Approaches
Both Congressmen John Conyers and Edward Markey have introduced net neutrality legislation this session. Conyers’ bill, the “Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2008” (H.R. 5994), would make Internet discrimination a violation of antitrust law. Markey’s legislation, the “Internet Freedom Preservation act of 2008” (H.R. 5353), would codify the FCC’s principles of Internet nondiscrimination and ensure the Commission’s authority to enforce them.
The House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet held a hearing on the Markey bill on May 6th. Members of the Subcommittee were spilt as to the need for such legislation at the present time. No hearing has yet been set to consider the Conyers bill.