Dispelling misconceptions in the Open Internet debate

[Commenatary] Several misconceptions about the Open Internet rules are in circulation...this blog post is a first stab at dispelling the most problematic issues:
The Open Internet Order is not a First Amendment issue: Sen Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sen Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Public Knowledge President Gene Kimmelman all suggested that the Open Internet Order is a First Amendment issue. It is not. The First Amendment prevents the government from infringing upon freedom of speech. The Federal Communications Commission’s Open Internet Rules are not designed to curb government limits on speech, so the First Amendment rights of speakers are simply not implicated.
Repealing Title II reclassification is not the same as eliminating the Open Internet.
The Open Internet Order does not protect against higher prices.
The ultimate answer lies with Congress.

[Daniel Lyons is an associate professor at Boston College Law School]