Public Knowledge files to defend FCC's net-neutrality rules

Public Knowledge filed a motion to intervene in Verizon's lawsuit challenging the Federal Communications Commission's net-neutrality rules on Wednesday, making the group the first to join the legal defense of the new regulations.

Verizon filed its appeal of the rules in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday, just days after proponents of net neutrality filed several lawsuits arguing the rules didn't go far enough and should apply to wireless as well as wireline broadband.

Public Knowledge bucked that trend Wednesday by filing with the intent of defending the FCC's regulations, which prohibit Internet service providers from discriminating between to similar content providers. The rules are scheduled to take effect on Nov. 20.

"The rules are worth defending, and the FCC's authority to make rules is worth defending," said Public Knowledge legal director Harold Feld. "We believe the public will be better served by having rules in place and by having a commission complaint process in place."

The filing argues that Public Knowledge's interests would be affected by the court's review of the rules because the group participated in the rulemaking process and its members depend on an open Internet for their businesses or activities.

Verizon's legal challenge argues the FCC lacks the statutory authority to impose net neutrality. The case will be closely watched because the same court threw out the FCC's previous attempt at enforcing net neutrality against Comcast last year.

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