How Public Knowledge aims to shape telecom policy

Public Knowledge is a relative newcomer among telecom consumer groups. Founded in 2001, Public Knowledge initially focused on intellectual property issues but has since branched out into broadband. With a staff of less than 12, the organization is funded "mostly by foundations" such as the Ford Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation, said Art Brodsky, a spokesman for Public Knowledge. The organization also has some individual and corporate contributors, including Google and Verizon. Public Knowledge is probably best known for helping consumers gain the right to make copies of audio and video recordings, as well as television broadcasts. Today, as Brodsky explained, "We're active in open Internet issues and stimulus bills." The organization was instrumental in getting language included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to help ensure that carriers receiving funding would abide by the principles of net neutrality aimed at ensuring what advocates call "an open Internet." A key goal for Public Knowledge today is to see legislation passed to cement the principles of net neutrality. If passed, such legislation could require carriers to allow consumers to attach any device to their networks and could prevent them from charging customers more for differentiated classes of service. Public Knowledge also is concerned about consolidation in the telecom market, which has left consumers with fewer choices, Brodsky said. Today, he said, the only choices are the local cable or local phone company.