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Maine Passes a Net Neutrality Resolution

Posted by kdawson on from the nice-gesture-anyway dept.

Spamicles writes "Maine has become the first state in the US to pass legislation on net neutrality. The resolution, LD 1675, recognizes the importance of 'full, fair and non-discriminatory access to the Internet' and instructs the Public Advocate to study what can be done to protect the rights of Maine Internet users. A 2005 decision by the Federal Communications Commission put in jeopardy net neutrality principles that had been in place since the inception of the Internet." Maine's resolution may be more symbolic than effective. This isn't the first time Maine has been out in front of other states on a controversial issue.

3 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. And it's a good way to start a bar fight. by Kadin2048 · · Score: 3, Informative

    We do, but it's not all the same ... order chowder in Rhode Island and you'll get a very different product than in Maine.

    (For the record, Maine "chowdah" is the real thing ... those heathen RIers defile theirs with tomatoes.)

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  2. Re:and you thought maine was only for lobsters! by Joe+the+Lesser · · Score: 2, Informative

    As a Mainer I must remind you of our motto, Dirigo, meaning 'I lead'.

    And hopefully our folksy saying "As goes Maine, so goes the nation" will hold fruit with this issue, ayuh.

    --
    "I only speak the truth"
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  3. Re:Net Neutrality Resolution -- seems good to me by olden · · Score: 5, Informative

    Call me weird, anti-/. or something, but I've read the bill (it's not that long, really), and it seems actually quite good.

    Some interesting bits (my interpretation, IANAL etc; check the real stuff if you're into legalese):

    • ISPs can still block spam/porn/attacks... as long as the customer is clearly notified of such filtering and can opt out
    • However ISPs aren't allowed to, say, collect money from content providers for 'improved' service... bye Goodmail! :-)
    • ISPs can implement some QoS (good!) but only based on the type of service, not its source/destination/ownership/content... In sync with this post by jonwil, who I fully agree with.
    • Users can attach to their PC any device they want unless it "substantially degrade[s]" others' service -- Hello Wi-Fi sharing? :-]
      (this however certainly doesn't shield you from trouble if your line is used for illegal stuff)

    All in all, seems pretty well-thought. Good job Maine. I can't see a nasty flaw, loophole, unnecessary burden put on ISPs or end-users...; did anyone spot some problem I missed?