“Net Neutrality” refers to the concept of an “open Internet” whereby end-users can access the lawful content, applications, services and devices of their choice. Policymakers around the world are considering whether and how to ensure that the Internet remains “open” and Internet access service providers do not improperly block or degrade content sent over their networks.
"…when push comes to shove, if certain services are not available to you because of privacy restrictions, you back out of restrictions. This is where I think new architecture is going to be so important." — Lawrence Lessig, Professor of Law and Ethics, Harvard University
"In different environments, the balance ought to be different." — Christopher Yoo, Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania
"It’s a reasonable and logical approach given the degree of uncertainty about what is going to happen in the marketplace. Networks evolve." — Kevin Werbach, Professor, Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania
"Start-ups, nonprofits and many other organizations—Wikipedia, for example—that use the Internet do not have the deep pockets of, say, Fox News or NBC to spend on enhanced access to their content." — Tim Wu, Professor of Law, Columbia University
"I think it is a vote that guarantees the continued and historic openness of the Internet. For the consumer, that means it will continue to be where new things come from. For business, it remains the easiest place to start a business." — Tim Wu, Professor of Law, Columbia University
"Sadly, the debates are not over. In all likelihood, this will bleed over to an issue that is actively debated in the next presidential campaign." — Kevin Werbach, Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania
"It was significant that the large technology companies like Google, Facebook and Microsoft also signed on to this letter, because it signaled to everyone in Washington that large companies do care about it." — Barbara van Schewick, Professor of Law, Stanford University
"Clearly, where you go and what you do on the Internet qualifies as proprietary information under the law. This potentially covers a lot of ground." — Ryan Calo, Professor of Law, University of Washington
"In an industry with lots of change and innovation, there are big dangers of allowing only the people who can pay you today to win." — Nicholas Economides, Professor of Economics, New York University
"Frankly, the regulators are not that good at understanding the underlying technologies. Even if they’re right now, things change." — Christopher Yoo, Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania
Select an Issue
TAP Academics
View all academics with expertise in Net Neutrality
TAP Blog
Stanford law professor Barbara van Schewick explains why AT&T’s decision to suspend its sponsored data program is a “win for an open and free internet.”
March 26, 2021
View all blog posts about Net Neutrality
Upcoming Events
There are currently no upcoming events about Net Neutrality. Please see our events calendar for all upcoming events.
Fact Sheets
Given the significance of the Internet, preserving its “openness” – an idea often referred to as “network neutrality” or “net neutrality” – has been a long-standing issue.
Featured Article
This paper looks at ideas to support open access to the Internet, including net neutrality rules.
June 4, 2003
View all articles on Net Neutrality