The Open Internet principles were not legal rules adopted by the FCC; they were effectively a press statement posted on the FCC website.

Marvin Ammori’s quote critiques the Open Internet principles, specifically their lack of legal authority despite being associated with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). He suggests that these principles were not formal legal rules or binding regulations, but rather an informal statement that lacked the force of law. By stating they were “effectively a press statement posted on the FCC website,” Ammori highlights the perceived inadequacy of these principles as enforceable rules, implying that they were more about public relations than actual regulatory power.

The reference to the FCC underscores the significance of the agency's role in regulating the telecommunications and broadcasting industries. Ammori's statement suggests that while the FCC had the power to create binding regulations, the Open Internet principles did not carry the same weight as laws or regulatory frameworks. This critique points to the uncertainty and vagueness around policies intended to protect net neutrality and ensure an open internet, which some argue were not implemented effectively or with enough legal backing.

Ammori's statement also reflects his concerns over the regulatory approach to issues like net neutrality, where the principles were intended to ensure that internet service providers (ISPs) did not discriminate against or prioritize certain types of internet traffic. His point suggests that without strong legal backing and formal rules, such principles were open to interpretation and potentially lacked the necessary enforcement mechanisms to make a significant impact on internet policy.

As a lawyer and advocate for internet freedom, Marvin Ammori has been involved in debates surrounding net neutrality and the open internet for years. His expertise in technology law and advocacy for digital rights informs his perspective that more robust and enforceable regulations are needed to protect consumers from unfair practices by internet service providers. The quote reflects his frustration with what he sees as a lack of legal structure behind efforts to maintain an open and fair internet.