Transmitting DRM-emcumbered and proprietary software-bound packets first

Summary: Those who advocate DRM and proprietary software dislike net neutrality, as demonstrated by Apple's and Netflix's opposition to the principle of packet delivery without discrimination

Microsoft has, for a long time in fact, been an opponent of net neutrality, based on its actions (we covered those). No company wants to be seen as anti-net neutrality, so they all pretend to be for it while their actions speak for themselves.

Netflix is clearly against net neutrality based on its actions and a reader sent us this article about Netflix's CEO, noting that "ISPs are already getting paid for both ends of the connection. What ISPs are trying to get now is paying twice at both ends, that is to say collecting four ways for the same connection."

The corporate press recently ran the story "Netflix Just Opened the Door to Paying ISPs More Access Fees" [1]. Disregard the spin and PR from the CEO of Netflix [2,3], who is basically claiming that he is against what he is doing. Also ignore the nonsense from AT&T [4] and other cable companies [5]; they just fear client alienation, so they tell to the public (existing or prospective customers) what the public wants to hear while doing exactly the opposite.

Apple, being Apple, is a lot more arrogant and selfish, hardly ever trying to hide its real agenda. Apple not only helps Microsoft [6] but it also helps cable companies kill net neutrality [7,8]. Apple is following the lead of Netflix in this case, ending what we once knew as a network which treats packets equally. ⬆

Related/contextual items from the news:

1. Netflix Just Opened the Door to Paying ISPs More Access Fees

   Netflix (NFLX) Chief Executive Officer Reed Hastings is seeking your help to keep Internet service providers from charging higher fees to stream all the video its customers watch. In the process, he may have just opened his wallet to any Cox, Time Warner Cable (TWC), Verizon Communications (VZ), or AT&T (T) across the nation.





2. Netflix CEO lashes out against ISPs like Comcast that do not follow ‘net neutrality’

3. Netflix CEO Slams US ISPs Over Net Neutrality

   
   
   Netflix CEO Reed Hastings says it reluctantly pays US ISPs for interconnection fees, but argues providers shouldn’t be allowed to abuse their position





4. AT&T promises to lower your Internet bill if FCC kills net neutrality

   If the Federal Communications Commission lets Internet service providers charge Web companies like Netflix for faster delivery of content to consumers, AT&T will lower its customers' Internet bills. That's what AT&T said Friday in a filing in the FCC's "Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet" proceeding.





5. Level 3 and Cogent ask FCC for protection against ISP “tolls”

   Network operators Level 3 and Cogent Communications today urged the Federal Communications Commission to prevent Internet service providers from charging what they deem to be excessive fees for interconnection.





6. Windows 8 picks up an unlikely ally in Apple

   Windows 8 picks up an unlikely ally in Apple

   
   
   Apple is dropping Windows 7 support in Boot Camp -- and Mac-based Windows users won't like the reasons why





7. Apple courts Comcast for net neutrality-evading TV service

   GADGET MAKER Apple and ISP Comcast are planning a joint venture for streaming TV service, in a move that might ramp up the net neutrality debate.
   
   According to the Wall Street Journal, the companies are in talks to create a service that will provide the Apple TV with a direct connection to a new video on demand (VOD) channel, bypassing internet congestion that could otherwise cause buffering or pixelation to customers.





8. Apple in talks with Comcast for priority services for its set-top box

   We recently reported Netflix CEO, Reed Hastings talk about the essence of net neutrality saying that ISPs such as AT&T and Comcast should not restrict, influence, or otherwise meddle with the choices consumers make. If reports are to be believed, Apple is talking to Comcast to get priority services for its set-top box that will bypass any congestion created by internet traffic.