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CFTPA Applauds CRTC Net Neutrality Decision

Ottawa, October 21, 2009 – The Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) applauds today’s announcement by the CRTC of its new regulatory policy regarding the Internet traffic management practices of Internet service providers (ISPs).  The CRTC has adopted a regulatory framework that will help ensure that the Internet remains an open-access content distribution platform for independent producers and other content creators.  

“Today’s announcement demonstrates that the CRTC has listened to the concerns of content creators, citizens groups and consumers,” says Norm Bolen, President and CEO of the CFTPA.  “The Commission has adopted a balanced regulatory framework that minimizes regulatory red tape for ISPs, while also putting in place safeguards that will help ensure that independent producers can reach their audiences on the Internet without having to go through ISP gatekeepers.  The new policy goes a long way in leveling the content distribution playing field.”   

In a submission to the CRTC last July, the CFTPA outlined concerns about the potential for ISPs to use traffic throttling as a tool for discriminating against competing content and service providers. Currently, ISPs like Bell, Rogers and Shaw claim that they need to throttle Bit Torrent and other Peer-to-Peer (P2P) applications in order to manage congestion on their networks.

“If an ISP is under common ownership with a broadcasting or cable company, there are obvious incentives for it to manage Internet traffic to favour its own content and services,” says Bolen. “Our members are at the cutting edge of content creation and distribution. Their businesses depend on unfettered access to audiences through the Internet.”

The CFTPA particularly welcomed the Commission’s decision to adopt the CFTPA’s proposal that the CRTC impose a condition of service on ISPs that requires them to fully disclose their traffic management practices to consumers.

“Throughout this process, we’ve maintained that having informed consumers is the best means of ensuring an open Internet. Consumers want to be able to access the Internet content of their choice without it being manipulated or degraded by their ISP.  With these new disclosure requirements, ISPs will think twice before adopting measures that makes independently produced content harder to access and enjoy by consumers.”

The CFTPA is a non-profit trade organization that works on behalf of almost 400 companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films, and new media products in all regions of Canada.  More specifically, it promotes the general interests of its members provincially, federally, and internationally; negotiates and manages labour agreements with guilds and unions; administers copyright collectives; trains new industry entrants through a number of national internship programs; and undertakes a number of other specific initiatives that help increase awareness and enhance communication within the Canadian and international production communities.

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For further information please call:

Canadian Film and Television Production Association
Anne Trueman
Director of Communications & Media
1.800.656.7440 Ext. 227

www.cftpa.ca