Jeff Pulver, acting through online video site, Network2, has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to declare that Internet video is not subject to cable and broadcast television regulations and that the FCC does not intend to impose new regulations on Internet Video.

"Internet Video allows professionals and non-professionals alike to produce a wide variety of high-quality video content and to make it available to anyone, anywhere, at any time and at little or no incremental cost," commented Jeff Pulver, founder and CEO of Network2. "Internet Video shares none of the conditions that provided the basis for traditional broadcast and cable regulation. From a technical standpoint, Internet Video is simply a piece of code, a software application riding over the Internet Protocol. Internet Video is not tied to underlying network infrastructure in the same ways that cable and broadcast-based video content currently is tethered."

"A technology that eliminates previous barriers to free speech, and makes the free press even more accessible to and by all, should remain free of unnecessary regulations that were uniquely designed and suited for the environment of legacy video platforms," noted Jonathan Askin, attorney to Network2. "Threats to impose legacy broadcast or cable regulation on Internet Video burden the continued growth of what is emerging as a powerful and flexible platform for video publishers and a vibrant and diverse source of new content for consumers."

"Grant of this Petition will provide regulatory certainty that will promote additional investment and innovation, continued deployment of broadband facilities, and the United States' role as a leader in new approaches to the production and distribution of media over the Internet," Askin added.

"The promise of Internet Video is staggering, the potential benefits to American society enormous. The United States has been the greatest exporter of content the world has ever known. The enabling power of the Internet should allow every interested American with a broadband connection to become a global content producer. Combined with America's dominance in the Internet, in software and content creation, the United States should be able to further expand its leadership in global media and entertainment. We are about to reap the enormous benefits as the Internet and media merge and morph to enable this emerging industry. We certainly do not want to turn over our leadership to others. The right policy approach, that ensures that the Internet Video industry may grow unfettered by unnecessary and burdensome regulation, will ensure that America remains the global leader in media, in entertainment, in content creation and in the Internet."

"Unlike almost all other forms of electronic media distribution, Internet Video observes few geographic, political and regulatory boundaries," added Askin. "Thus, even the actions of other nations can compound regulatory uncertainty for Internet Video providers. Will a provider in one country face burdensome or limiting regulations that a competitor in another country will escape? Where should new Internet Video businesses be incorporated, built, hosted and operated? Efforts to impose traditional broadcast and cable regulation on Internet Video create substantial uncertainty for Internet Video providers. Because regulation affects choices about investment of human and financial capital, the requested declaratory relief will allow for better decision making and open the way for the continued growth of Internet Video, with all of its benefits."