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The New York Times just reported that Comcast will block Netflix unless a new fee is paid to Comcast -- so Netflix's price goes up and people use Comcast's video service instead.
This outrageous abuse of power by Comcast comes on the very week that President Obama's FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski will announce whether he'll fulfill Obama's promise to protect the open Internet and Net Neutrality -- which would prevent this type of corporate abuse.
The FCC needs to hear from us now, before the chairman's big announcement this week.
Sign our message to the FCC: "Don't let Comcast block Netflix or other online innovators for their own profit! Support the strongest Net Neutrality protections possible -- and keep Obama's promise." Click here to sign.
According to the New York Times, it all started on November 19th when Comcast demanded that Level 3 Communications, "a central partner in the Netflix online movie service", pay a new fee or risk Netflix users suffering service "disruptions." Forcing Netflix, a direct competitor to Comcast's own online video service, to pay higher fees is exhibit A of what corporations will do without strong Net Neutrality protections.
What else could Comcast do if the FCC doesn't protect Net Neutrality?
Internet providers like Comcast can drive their financial competitors (or political opponents) out of business by charging them more, for no good reason -- exactly what's happening right now.
For instance, Comcast could block or degrade iTunes, which competes with Comcast's own online music store.
Worse, the FCC will soon decide whether to allow Comcast to buy NBC! Can you imagine what Comcast will do to block customers from getting video from ABC, CBS, and other media outlets? This is way more serious than just movies -- the FCC's decision impacts pretty much everything.
Tell the FCC to stop Comcast's abuse of power and protect the open Internet. Sign our emergency petition.
(I'm proud to work for the Progressive Change Campaign Committee)