Rep. Eshoo Calls for ‘Re-brand’ of Net Neutrality

Rep. Anna Eshoo has a plan to save net neutrality: Call it something else.

Americans, says the California Democrat, know what they want on the Internet, but the confusing terminology of the debate has left them confused about which plan matches their ideals. "The American people are left with a muddled understanding of what to support," she said.

Her plan calls for a "re-brand" of the term, which she defines as "the principle that all Internet traffic is created equal and should be treated as such." She's turning to—where else?—the Internet to help her give net neutrality its new moniker.

Tuesday, Eshoo launched a Reddit contest to start the re-brand. The most popular suggestion by Sept. 8 (assuming it's appropriate) will be designated as the new term for net neutrality.

Eshoo opposes the Federal Communications Commission's plan to allow Internet providers to charge for "fast lanes" for speedier Internet traffic, which she said "would mean a fast lane for those who can afford it and a slow lane for everyone else, hindering small businesses, innovators, and Internet users." True net neutrality, she said, would put all websites on a level playing field.

"In order to send a clear message to the FCC, I think we need to re-brand net neutrality to more accurately reflect our goal," she said.