FCC To investigate Comcast Bittorrent Meddling

An anonymous reader writes "FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said Tuesday that the commission will investigate complaints that Comcast actively interferes with Internet traffic as its subscribers try to share files online. A coalition of consumer groups and legal scholars asked the agency in November to stop Comcast from discriminating against certain types of data and to fine Comcast $195,000 for every affected subscriber. While known for months in tech circles, the issue wasn't given broad attention until an Associated Press report last year, in which reporters tested and verified the data blocking."

Comcast == evil;

[kurt555gs]

I am a Comcast subscriber, and I really resent that they charge me 50+ BUX per month for "unlimited" internet, but when I want to download a linux installation DVD via BitTorrent, I can't.

I really do not see the Republican controlled FCC doing anything about this, however it is a good start to at least say they are investigating.

Re:Who is behind on their payments?

[Adambomb]

If someone read the link i posted, Kevin martin is stepping up to the cable companies on more than one front.

Then again, i did forget this was slashdot. Receiving new data isnt the object of the exercise for some.

Re:Time Warp

[RollingThunder]

I don't know about you, but for me, nine days ago was last year.

Re:Has nothing to do with Republicans

[Anonymous Coward]

Just blame it all on the Repubemocrats then

Hold on there skippy!

You're fooling no one with your obvious attempt to shift blame away from the Demoblicans.

Breaking down barriers to liability

[Anonymous Coward]

Technology companies that simply pass traffic or host content for others enjoy broad immunity for _blindly_ managing content that belongs to someone else.

Those companies that start filtering this content, however, should lose this immunity and be subject to lawsuits from those who would like them to filter more or less than they already do. The potential liability would be enormous, and would put an end to filtering immediately.

Hello Mr. "Law"

[Foamy]

I'd like to introduce you to a person I think you will be fond "of".

Please meet Mr. "Unintended Consequences".