On September 21, 2009, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genchowski proposed "net neutrality" regulations that prevented Internet providers from restricting access to particular services. The regulations required transparency of Internet broadband networks to help consumers make better decisions about services, and also sought to preserve open access to all lawful Internet content and protect freedom of speech in the online "marketplace of ideas." The chairman also unveiled OpenInternet.gov, stressing the importance of "open Internet" principles. The FCC approved the new rules in December 2010 and were quickly challenged in a lawsuit brought by Verizon.

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