There’s a new lobby group in town – but unusually, this one unites traditional adversaries from tech, telecoms, and media companies. Backers include the American Songwriters Guild representing creators, Microsoft, Cisco, and AT&T, and media companies including Viacom and NBC. Everyone but Google, it seems.
The launch in New York today was well attended by songwriter’s reps. Arts and Labs’ mission, the group says, is “robust and intelligent networks needed for the swift and safe delivery of the online content consumers demand.”
Which very much sounds like a counterpoint to “Net Neutrality” and similar freetard-friendly campaigns – although everyone present in New York today denied that Neutrality was an impetus in the creation of the group.