Net neutrality kicks in next month, spawning small cable company fears

The Federal Communications Commission’s net neutrality rules will go into effect July 22, unless the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals places a stay on the rules. Several different groups have filed lawsuits, claiming that the FCC broke the law when it decided to reclassify broadband providers under Title II of the Communications Act. Because the groups filed their lawsuits in seven different circuit courts, a lottery was held to select the court where the cases could be consolidated, and the Sixth Circuit was selected in the lottery. The petitioners in the now-combined lawsuit are asking the Sixth Circuit to delay (or stay) the effective date of net neutrality until the lawsuit is resolved. At the same time, the FCC has asked to move the lawsuit to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C.