Benton Applauds California's Net Neutrality Court Victory

This is the right decision. It will ensure that the people of California will continue to have unfettered internet access, blocks internet providers from discriminating against websites for financial or political gain, and reduces the chance that their customers will be ripped off. While this case is about a California statute, it has national significance. Several states that have followed California’s lead in adopting network neutrality policies are facing similar challenges claiming that federal law preempts such requirements. Today’s well-reasoned, unanimous opinion will likely assist in the defense of those lawsuits. There is a broad consensus that the ultimate solution to the network neutrality debate is Congressional legislation. It may well be that this decision will help stakeholders find common ground to pass such a law.  But the American public can’t wait, so state laws like California’s remain necessary for the foreseeable future.

[The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society joined with a number of other public interest organizations in filing a friend of court brief in supporting California in asking the Court of Appeals to affirm the lower court order.]