Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) wants to block an effort for a shareholder vote forcing the world's largest software maker to explain its support for Internet network neutrality, according to a company letter obtained by Reuters on Tuesday.Actually, we would settle for a good definition of Microsoft's understanding of the term "net neutrality." If Microsoft means that ISPs should follow RAND principles (Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory), fine. If it wants ISPs to follow Microsoft's recent Windows Principles, and guarantee that they will not disadvantage aps that compete with their own offerings, probably also fine (with a question mark about integration issues). If it means speciifically to apply its own Tenet No. 8: "Open Internet access. Microsoft will design and license Windows so that it does not block access to any lawful Web site or impose any fee for reaching any non-Microsoft Web site or using any non-Microsoft Web service," no problem. On the other hand, if NN is interepreted to mean that ISPs cannot offer different levels of service, or cannot distinguish between medical X-rays and spam -- you're nuts.The Free Enterprise Action Fund, a mutual fund that says it offers both financial and ideological returns, wants Microsoft shareholders to seek a report on the company's rationale for backing Net neutrality, which the group says would result in "expanded government regulation of the Internet."
So tell us, and the shareholders, what you mean.
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