Washington, D.C.—Future of Music Coalition — a national nonprofit that seeks a bright future for musicians and listeners — commends today’s historic introduction of draft principles to protect the open internet for creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and the public.
Today’s draft rules build upon the four principles introduced in the Commission’s 2005 Internet Policy Statement, adding two important provisions for non-discrimination of lawful traffic and applications and transparency in Internet Service Provider (ISP) methods of “reasonable network management.” The agency is seeking public comment on these proposals, with initial comments due by Jan. 14, 2010 and reply comments due by March 5, 2010.
“We’re very pleased that the FCC has begun the kind of open and transparent process in its proposed net neutrality rulemaking, which is something FMC has advocated for. There are unprecedented questions to examine as technology keeps evolving at a breathtaking clip, and we’re happy that the FCC is taking up these issues in a serious way that encourages participation from a variety of stakeholders, including artists and the public.
Although we’re only beginning to get a sense of what a legitimate digital music marketplace looks like, we’re encouraged by the ever-increasing variety of licensed services and the amazing and innovative ways artists are using the internet to connect with fans. By undertaking these public proceedings, the Commission’s leadership is helping to guarantee that the internet continues to be a place where creativity and commerce can flourish.”
Future of Music Coalition has long advocated for responsible government policies that reflect the value of open internet structures to creators and the public. FMC believes that musicians are not only America’s cultural ambassadors, but also part of its entrepreneurial backbone. Net neutrality ensures that artists can participate on their own terms in a legitimate digital music marketplace, and provides innovators with the means to design and implement new delivery mechanisms for music.
Since the organization’s inception in 2000, FMC has sought to heighten awareness of network neutrality in the music community and beyond, starting with position papers and continuing with its musician-centric Rock the Net campaign, which launched in 2007 and now has grown to include more than a thousand members, including founding artists R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Death Cab for Cutie, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Kronos Quartet.
Future of Music Coalition is a national non-profit education, research and advocacy organization that seeks a bright future for creators and listeners. FMC works towards this goal through continuous interaction with its primary constituency — musicians — and in collaboration with other creator/public interest groups. More