'Orange is the New Black' may stream a little slower today, because Netflix is one of the companies which is participating in a nationwide demonstration in support of vigorous 'net neutrality,' News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Today is the so called 'Day of Action for Net Neutrality,' and the main action will take place on line, with several dozen key web sites displaying messages in support of net neutrality. There will also be demonstrations at the Federal Communications Commission, where Republican commissioners have begun to dismantle rules guaranteeing net neutrality.
So just what is 'Net Neutrality?
Attorney Debra L. Innocenti of the local firm of Innocenti Jones, who is one of the most respected Internet attorneys in the country, says it is a rule that prohibits Internet providers from interfering with on line content.
"Net neutrality protects you from, for example, a situation where you couldn't watch Netflix or Hulu without slow load times, because your cable company doesn't like competing with Netflix or Hulu," Innocenti said.
As the line between what used to be called ISPs, or Internet Service Providers, and content providers blurs, Innocenti says it is critical that the healthy competition between the firms does not affect Internet viewing.
For example, Time-Warner, which owns Spectrum, which is the largest Internet Service Provider in this area, also owns HBO's streaming service, HBO Go. Net Neutrality prevents Spectrum from slowing down, limiting, or interfering with competitors to HBO Go, in an effort to convince customers to switch to its streaming service.
"That means they can't block them, slow down access to any content, or charge differently for them," Innocenti said.
Opponents of Net Neutrality says it is a violation of the free market and could hinder the growth of the Internet for the government to start placing rules on web sites and Internet speeds.
As an example of the importance of the government taking a 'hands off' attitude toward the Internet, opponents point to parallel demonstrations also taking place today, where liberal groups will call on the government to 'ban' conservative web sites like Breitbart and the Drudge Report.