Media advisory: Law professor can comment on net neutrality ruling, its aftermath, effects on Internet use

LAWRENCE — M.A. (Mike) Kautsch, professor of law at the University of Kansas, is available to speak with media about the Federal Communication Commission’s ruling on net neutrality. Thursday, the FCC voted 3-2 to implement new rules to ensure Internet Service Providers treat all Internet content equally.

Kautsch, a former dean of KU’s School of Journalism, developed KU School of Law’s program on media, law and policy. The program includes a media law clinic and media law course, as well as a certificate in media, law and policy. He has followed the ongoing debate over net neutrality and covered it in his media law classes. He also teaches courses in torts and copyright law and digital works, and he has conducted research on media and the law and the First and Sixth Amendments.

Kautsch is available to speak about the FCC’s ruling, what it means for Internet users and Internet Service Providers, potential legal challenges to the ruling, the decision to regard the Internet as a utility, and related topics. It is not yet clear how exactly affected parties will react to the ruling. Some Internet Service Providers, such as Verizon, are considering law suits to dispute the ruling.

To schedule an interview, contact Mike Krings at 785-864-8860 or mkrings@ku.edu.