WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler announced how the FCC will move forward following a recent court decision invalidating the bulk of its 2010 Open Internet Order. This order established basic rules of the road preventing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from choosing winners and losers online based on business or other preferences. Chairman Wheeler declared the FCC’s goal of establishing new rules under a different legal rationale, as well as the opening of a new docket for public comment.

The following statement is attributed to Casey Rae, Interim Executive Director of Future of Music Coalition (FMC), a national non-profit research, education and advocacy organization for musicians.

“It’s welcome news that the FCC won’t be sitting on its hands with regard to its obligations to keep the Internet open to creativity and entrepreneurship. Musicians and other artists depend on an accessible, competitive Internet where they can reach audiences and participate in potentially rewarding innovations. We are hopeful that the FCC can shore up its existing authority and issue new rules, but we are also well aware of the potential for further uncertainty down the road if this approach fails to offer basic protections for content creators.

“As the Internet migrates from fixed-line connections to mobile and integrated entertainment environments, it is essential that independent artists, labels and other entrepreneurs can compete on a level playing field. Any meaningful rules preserving an open Internet must satisfy the needs of today and tomorrow’s creators, regardless of where and how they connect. Musicians across the country look forward to working with the FCC to make sure our perspectives are heard.”

http://futureofmusic.org/issues/campaigns/rock-net