[SUBMITTED] Net Neutrality Act

[Lexicor]

Character Count: 3234 (Including Formatting)
Character Count: 3048 (Excluding Formatting)

Category: Freedom of the Press Strength: Mild

The General Assembly,

NOTING the growing popularity of the Internet.

RECOGNIZING the Internet as a platform of innovation, commerce, communication and exchange of ideas.

REAFFIRMING the World Assembly's commitment to protect freedom of speech.

NOTING nations are not technologically equal.

ALARMED by the tampering of internet traffic by ISPs or governments.

DISMAYED by the potential practice of “fast tracking” in which end users pays extra to receive priority transfer of internet traffic from endpoint to endpoint.

CLARIFIES that ISPs have a right to charge different rates for different internet usage packages and speeds.

DEFINING the following terms:

Net Neutrality: the principle that ISPs and governments should treat all Internet data equally, not discriminating or charging differently by user, content, site, platform, application, type of attached equipment, or modes of communication.

ISP: an organization that provides services for accessing, using, or participating in the Internet. ISPs may be organized in various forms, such as commercial, community-owned, non-profit, or privately owned.

End User: persons accessing the internet.

DECLARES all internet traffic equal, barring varying contract rates between ISPs and end users;

BANS ISPs charging fees in order for users to access certain websites, articles, videos or other forms of content;

BANS the practice of fast-tracking with the knowledge that internet speeds and plans vary;

BANS charging differential by user, content, site, platform, application, type of attached equipment, or mode of communication.

BANS deliberately slowing down users internet traffic;

CLARIFIES that end user-ISP contracts with different charges for different speeds will remain unaffected;

CREATES International Communication Commission (ICC) to ensure the impartial nature of the internet is maintained by virtue of the following;

1. License ISPs and inspect their operations randomly to ensure their compliance and punish them based on the following system:

1st Offense: Monetary Fine, to be determined on a case to case basis based on the severity of the infraction, entry into database of offenders and a years probation.

2nd Offense: Harsher monetary fine, takeover of operations for a period of six months by the ICC and suspension of corporate board or equivalent.

3rd Offense: Suspension of license, takeover of operations by the ICC until a suitable new corporate board is found.

2. Maintain a database of all ISP(s) that violate the principle of Net Neutrality.
3. Convene semi annually to assess challenges and threats to Net Neutrality and propose strategies and solutions to address them.
5. Publish annual reports on the status of Net Neutrality.
6. Address concerns about net neutrality brought to the ICC's attention.
7. Assist the establishment of internet in nations if they desire.

ENCOURAGES all nations take further action domestically to ensure the internet continue to be a universal platform for the free exchange of ideas.

Draft #3

The General Assembly,

COGNIZANT of the growing accessibility and popularity of the Internet.

RECOGNIZING the Internet as a platform of innovation, commerce, communication and otherwise for the free exchange of ideas.

REAFFIRMING the World Assembly's commitment to the protection of freedom of speech and dedication to equality.

REALIZING that there exists no standard for maintaining a neutral and impartial character to the internet and internet traffic.

SEEKING to establish and maintain the internet as a neutral platform for the free flow and exchange of ideas, opinions, information and for the purposes of commerce and innovation;

UNDERSTANDING that Internet Service Providers often have unilateral discretion in the contractual content and pricing for the deliverance and structure of their services.

DEEPLY CONCERNED by the discriminatory power possessed by Internet Service Providers in censoring,filtering, disrupting, blocking or otherwise impeding traffic to and from certain websites and internet addresses for any reason.

WORRIED about the potentially devastating practice of "package differentiating" in which an ISP or government deliberately gives preferential treatment to certain companies or individuals based upon economic status, political ideology or ideas they possess or employ.

BELIEVING limited regulation of the internet is necessary to ensure that ISP's do not engage in anticompetitive practices.

DEFINING the following terms for the purposes of this resolution:

Net Neutrality: The principle that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites.

Internet Service Provider: An Internet service provider (ISP) is an organization that provides services for accessing, using, or participating in the Internet. Internet service providers may be organized in various forms, such as commercial, community-owned, non-profit, or otherwise privately owned.

Internet: A global system of interconnected computer networks that link several billion devices worldwide.

HEREBY ESTABLISHES the Internet as a neutral entity that transcends delineated national boundaries;

CLARIFIES that ISP's may still charge different amounts for different services offered due to the varying demands of and categories of consumers and that ISP's may charge additional service fees if the usage limits of the contract between ISP and customer(s) whether individual, governmental, corporate or otherwise are exceeded;

MANDATES all Internet Traffic, Websites and Internet Addresses be treated equally and impartially by ISP's and users of the internet;

BANS the commercial practice of "package differentiating" and any other deliberately discriminatory or anti competitive practice by any Internet Service Provider private or public;

BANS the censorship of any website, internet address, server or network with the exception of:

1. Websites containing pornographic or sexually explicit photos, videos, illustrations or otherwise sexually explicit content of minors, minors being defined as those who have not attained the legal age of consent within their nation of residence.
2. Websites promoting terrorism or recruiting for terrorist organizations, terrorism being defined as the use of violence in pursuit of political aims.
3. Websites which contain documents which pose significant threat to a nation(s) security is posed and adequate evidence supporting this claim is provided to the public.

CREATES International Telecommunication and Internet Regulation Commission (ITIRC) to ensure the impartial nature of the internet is maintained by virtue of the following;

1. License ISP(s) and inspect their operations randomly to ensure their compliance with the principle of net neutrality.
2. Maintain a database of all ISP(s) that violate the principle of Net Neutrality.
3. Create an international internet protocol suite to further facilitate easy access to the internet.
4. Convene semiannually to assess challenges and threats to Net Neutrality and propose strategies and solutions to address them.
5. Publish annual reports on the status of Net Neutrality.
6. Address grievances of individuals, corporations/businesses and nations in areas concerning net neutrality.
7. Employ guidance officers to facilitate the establishment of computer networks in developing economies if they so desire.

ENCOURAGES all nations take further action domestically to ensure the internet continue to be a universal platform for the free exchange of ideas.

Draft #2

Strength: Significant

The General Assembly,

COGNIZANT of the growing accessibility and popularity of the Internet.

RECOGNIZING the Internet as a platform of innovation, commerce, communication and for the expression of ideas.

REAFFIRMING the World Assembly's commitment to the protection of freedom of speech and the free exchange of ideas.

REALIZING that there exists no standard for r maintaining a neutral and open character to the internet and internet traffic

UNDERSTANDING that Internet Service Providers often have unilateral discretion in the contractual content and pricing for the deliverance and structure of their services.

DEEPLY CONCERNED by the discriminatory power possessed by Internet Service Providers in censoring, filtering and blocking traffic to certain websites for any reason.

WORRIED about the potentially devastating practice of "package differentiating" in which an ISP deliberately gives preferential treatment to certain companies or individuals based upon economic status, political ideology or ideas they possess or employ.

BELIEVING limited regulation of the internet is necessary to ensure that ISP's do not engage in anti-competitive practices.

DEFINING the following terms for the purposes of this resolution:

Net Neutrality: The principle that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites.

Internet Service Provider: An Internet service provider (ISP) is an organization that provides services for accessing, using, or participating in the Internet. Internet service providers may be organized in various forms, such as commercial, community-owned, non-profit, or otherwise privately owned.

Internet: A global system of interconnected computer networks that link several billion devices worldwide.

ESTABLISHES the Internet as a neutral entity that transcends delineated national boundaries;

SEEKING to uphold and maintain the internet as a neutral platform for the free flow and exchange of ideas, commerce and innovation;

CLARIFIES that ISP's may still charge different amounts for different services/plans due to the varying demands of and categories of consumers and that ISP's may charge additional service fees if the usage limits of the contract between ISP and customer(s) whether individual, governmental, corporate or otherwise are exceeded;

MANDATES all Internet Traffic, regardless of origin or any other factor be treated equally and impartially;

BANS the commercial practice of "package differentiating" and any other deliberately discriminatory by any Internet Service Provider private or public;

BANS the censorship of any website, internet address, server or network with the exception of:

1. Websites containing pornographic or sexually explicit photos, videos, illustrations or otherwise sexually explicit content of minors, minors being defined as those who have not attained the legal age of consent within their nation of residence.
2. Websites promoting terrorism or recruiting for terrorist organizations, terrorism being defined as the use of violence in pursuit of political aims.
3. Websites which contain documents which pose significant threat to a nation(s) security is posed and adequate evidence supporting this claim is provided to the public.

CREATES International Telecommunication and Internet Regulation Commission (ITIRC) to ensure the impartial nature of the internet is maintained by virtue of the following;

1. License Internet Service Providers (ISP) as "common carriers" and inspect their operations randomly to ensure their compliance with the principle of net neutrality.
2. Maintain a database of all Internet Service Providers that violate the principle of Net Neutrality.
3. Create an international internet protocol suite to further facilitate easy access to the internet.
4. Convene bi-annually to assess challenges and threats to Net Neutrality and propose strategies and solutions to address them.
5. Publish annual reports on the status of Net Neutrality.
6. Address grievances of individuals, corporations/businesses and nations in areas concerning net neutrality.
7. Employ guidance officers to facilitate the establishment of computer networks in developing economies if they so desire.

ENCOURAGES all nations take further action domestically to ensure the internet continue to be a universal platform for the free exchange of ideas.

Draft #1

Strength: Significant

The General Assembly,

COGNIZANT of the growing accessibility and popularity of the Internet.

RECOGNIZING the Internet as a platform of innovation, commerce, communication and for the expression of ideas.

REAFFIRMING the World Assembly's commitment to the protection of freedom of speech and the free exchange of ideas.

DEFINING the following terms for the purposes of this resolution:

Net Neutrality: The principle that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites.

Internet Service Provider: An Internet service provider (ISP) is an organization that provides services for accessing, using, or participating in the Internet. Internet service providers may be organized in various forms, such as commercial, community-owned, non-profit, or otherwise privately owned.

Internet: A global system of interconnected computer networks that link several billion devices worldwide.

REALIZING that there exists no standard for establishing or maintaining a neutral and open character to the internet and the provision of internet services .

UNDERSTANDING that Internet Service Providers often have unilateral discretion in the contractual content and pricing for the deliverance of their services.

DEEPLY CONCERNED by the discriminatory power possessed by Internet Service Providers in censoring, filtering and blocking traffic to certain websites for any reason.

WORRIED about the potentially devastating practice of "package differentiating" in which an ISP deliberately gives preferential treatment to certain companies or individuals based upon economic status, political ideology or ideas they possess or employ.

ESTABLISHES the Internet as a neutral entity that transcends delineated national boundaries;

SEEKING to uphold and maintain the internet as a neutral platform for the free flow and exchange of ideas, commerce and innovation;

MANDATES all Internet Traffic, regardless of origin or any other factor be treated equally and impartially;

BANS the commercial practice of "package differentiating" and any other deliberately discriminatory by any Internet Service Provider private or public;

BANS the censorship of any website, internet addresses, server or network with the exception of:

1. Websites containing pornographic or sexually explicit photos of minors, minors being defined as those who have not attained the legal age of consent within their nation of residence.
2. Websites promoting terrorism or recruiting for terrorist organizations, terrorism being defined as the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.
3. Websites which contain documents in which a significant risk in national security is posed and can be proven.

CREATES International Telecommunication and Internet Regulation Commission (ITIRC) to ensure the impartial nature of the internet is maintained by virtue of the following;

1. License Internet Service Providers (ISP) and inspect their operations randomly to ensure their compliance with the principle of net neutrality.
2. Maintain a database of all Internet Service Providers that violate the principle of Net Neutrality.
3. Create an international internet protocol suite to further facilitate easy access to the internet.
4. Convene b-annually to assess challenges and threats to Net Neutrality and propose strategies and solutions to address them.
5. Publish annual reports on the status of Net Neutrality .
6. Address grievances of individuals, corporations/businesses and nations in areas concerning net neutrality.

ENCOURAGES all nations take further action domestically to ensure the internet continue to be a universal platform for the free exchange of ideas.

[Araraukar]

OOC: I don't have much time before heading out the door, so you won't be getting the full vivisection, I'm afraid. But just pointing out that RL isn't NS, and as such if you make claims like "SHOCKED at the practice of "package differentiating"", you'd likely have to offer some proof that it's something that happens in NS and that this is all somehow international issue. Just because it's to do with Internet, doesn't automatically make it international.

Real Life events spawning WA proposals tend to end up raising more groans than support. But at least you posted yours prior to submission.

[Wrapper]

Internet? What's that?

[The Dark Star Republic]

Internet? What's that?

You can read more about it here, here, here, here, here, here or here.

[Lexicor]

OOC: I don't have much time before heading out the door, so you won't be getting the full vivisection, I'm afraid. But just pointing out that RL isn't NS, and as such if you make claims like "SHOCKED at the practice of "package differentiating"", you'd likely have to offer some proof that it's something that happens in NS and that this is all somehow international issue. Just because it's to do with Internet, doesn't automatically make it international.

Government ISP's that have a monopoly on coverage; which often arise in dictatorships and socialist nations censor dissenting political views to maintain control of the political narrative.
Private ISP's normally slow down traffic to websites that disagree with their practices (its bad PR, c'mon.) and charge more to prioritize someones traffic. All internet service providers are IC RP though, and Im not too familiar with those yet.

[Defwa]

OOC: I don't have much time before heading out the door, so you won't be getting the full vivisection, I'm afraid. But just pointing out that RL isn't NS, and as such if you make claims like "SHOCKED at the practice of "package differentiating"", you'd likely have to offer some proof that it's something that happens in NS and that this is all somehow international issue. Just because it's to do with Internet, doesn't automatically make it international.

Real Life events spawning WA proposals tend to end up raising more groans than support. But at least you posted yours prior to submission.

Dually noted. It essentially means "pay more for faster service", which in essence is what most companies do in the absence of regulation anyways.

OOC: We know that, but the point is we can't prove its happening in nation states. I would suggest writing like you're worried it could happen and then focus on the negative effects of letting it happen as opposed to claiming it is happening already

[Auralian Mission to the World Assembly]

OOC: I don't have much time before heading out the door, so you won't be getting the full vivisection, I'm afraid. But just pointing out that RL isn't NS, and as such if you make claims like "SHOCKED at the practice of "package differentiating"", you'd likely have to offer some proof that it's something that happens in NS and that this is all somehow international issue. Just because it's to do with Internet, doesn't automatically make it international.

Real Life events spawning WA proposals tend to end up raising more groans than support. But at least you posted yours prior to submission.

Dually noted. It essentially means "pay more for faster service", which in essence is what most companies do in the absence of regulation anyways.

We are strongly opposed to World Assembly regulation of tiered pricing by Internet service providers, so much so that we spent a great deal of effort repealing the previous resolution that attempted to do so. We are certainly prepared to do so again should this draft progress any further.

Martin Russell
Chief Ambassador, Auralian Mission to the World Assembly

[Ikania]

Dually noted. It essentially means "pay more for faster service", which in essence is what most companies do in the absence of regulation anyways.

We are strongly opposed to World Assembly regulation of tiered pricing by Internet service providers, so much so that we spent a great deal of effort repealing the previous resolution that attempted to do so. We are certainly prepared to do so again should this draft progress any further.

Martin Russell
Chief Ambassador, Auralian Mission to the World Assembly

Why? So corporations can make more money by making the internet slower "just cuz"?

[Ikania]

Dually noted. It essentially means "pay more for faster service", which in essence is what most companies do in the absence of regulation anyways.

We are strongly opposed to World Assembly regulation of tiered pricing by Internet service providers, so much so that we spent a great deal of effort repealing the previous resolution that attempted to do so. We are certainly prepared to do so again should this draft progress any further.

Martin Russell
Chief Ambassador, Auralian Mission to the World Assembly

Also, your resolution said you hoped a replacement would be found, yet here you are against any such thing.

[Lexicor]

Due to concerns of ambassadors the following clause has been amended to:

WORRIED about the potentially devastating practice of "package differentiating" in which an ISP deliberately gives preferential treatment to certain companies or individuals based upon economic status, political ideology or ideas they possess or employ.

[Separatist Peoples]

Also, your resolution said you hoped a replacement would be found, yet here you are against any such thing.

"It won votes, though. Besides, people can change their minds."

Why? So corporations can make more money by making the internet slower "just cuz"?

"Which is bad, but hardly an international issue. We oppose this on those grounds."

[Upper Drizzilia]

Change "their exists no..." to " there exists no..."

I wouldn't make any major changes though. I would vote for this as it stands.

[The Dark Star Republic]

Also, your resolution said you hoped a replacement would be found, yet here you are against any such thing.

You seem to be conveniently forgetting this.

[Lexicor]

Change "their exists no..." to " there exists no..."

I wouldn't make any major changes though. I would vote for this as it stands.

Thank you! I do have a lot of trouble with that aspect of English grammar

[Ikania]

Also, your resolution said you hoped a replacement would be found, yet here you are against any such thing.

You seem to be conveniently forgetting this.

Ah, apologies, I was unaware of a replacement attempt. But that doesn't mean we can't try again.

[Lexicor]

You seem to be conveniently forgetting this.

Ah, apologies, I was unaware of a replacement attempt. But that doesn't mean we can't try again.

Exactly why I wrote this!

[Chester Pearson]

Also, your resolution said you hoped a replacement would be found, yet here you are against any such thing.

You seem to be conveniently forgetting this.

Which was written so poorly, it never had a chance of passing, which I assume was the point....

[Defwa]

Due to concerns of ambassadors the following clause has been amended to:

WORRIED about the potentially devastating practice of "package differentiating" in which an ISP deliberately gives preferential treatment to certain companies or individuals based upon economic status, political ideology or ideas they possess or employ.

Now its more than a bit long. There are multiple ways of shortening it so I wont suggest one over another, but the point of this first part is to convince people to want to read the long part at the end. So starting off with a long semi technical definition is to be avoided. Save the vocab for later in the resolution

[Lexicor]

Now its more than a bit long. There are multiple ways of shortening it so I wont suggest one over another, but the point of this first part is to convince people to want to read the long part at the end. So starting off with a long semi technical definition is to be avoided. Save the vocab for later in the resolution

My logic was in the tendency of the WA to nitpick the definitions of terms in order to avoid complying with them. Changing it around shouldn't be a problem. Thank you for the feedback!

[Defwa]

Now its more than a bit long. There are multiple ways of shortening it so I wont suggest one over another, but the point of this first part is to convince people to want to read the long part at the end. So starting off with a long semi technical definition is to be avoided. Save the vocab for later in the resolution

My logic was in the tendency of the WA to nitpick the definitions of terms in order to avoid complying with them. Changing it around shouldn't be a problem. Thank you for the feedback!

Oh yes, a clear and lengthy explanation of what they're doing and hoe they do it will certainly be needed later on

[Lexicor]

My logic was in the tendency of the WA to nitpick the definitions of terms in order to avoid complying with them. Changing it around shouldn't be a problem. Thank you for the feedback!

Oh yes, a clear and lengthy explanation of what they're doing and hoe they do it will certainly be needed later on

I have moved the definitions clause down to ambulatory heeding to your concerns ambassador.

[Lexicor]

One major concern!

I have no idea what category or what strength this should be...

[The Dark Star Republic]

Education and Creativity > Free Press

[Lexicor]

Education and Creativity > Free Press

OOC: Thank you

IC: We hope to submit this proposal to the floor shortly, that is if their are no outstanding loopholes or criticisms to be addressed!

[The Dark Star Republic]

Education and Creativity > Free Press

OOC: Thank you :)

That's just my completely unofficial opinion (based on the previous version of this being in that category, the clause banning censorship being about freedom of the press, and the funding requirements necessary to do all of this) but it doesn't constitute anything official and you would probably be wise to wait for such before submitting this. In any case, 48 hours really doesn't constitute a reasonable drafting period.

Also, don't use "bi-annually".