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Michael Diamond may be best known as Mike D of the Beastie Boys, but he’s also an AT&T shareholder, and he’s now played a central role in forcing a shareholder vote on net neutrality. He, along with his wife Tamra Davis and John P. Silva of Silva Artist Management previously submitted a proposal to AT&T arguing that shareholders should be allowed to vote a resolution that recommended the company “publicly commit to operate its wireless broadband network consistent with network neutrality principles.” AT&T unsurprisingly rejected that proposal, stating that it would “directly interfere with its network management practices,” but the SEC has now stepped in and said that net neutrality has become a “significant policy consideration,” and that it can no longer be excluded from shareholder ballots. As Bloomberg Businessweek notes, companies can challenge the SEC’s findings in court, although it remains to be seen if AT&T or other carriers will take that step. No further word from Mike D on the matter, so we’ll take this opportunity to share another important message of his after the break.

[Image credit: Fabio Venni / Wikimedia Commons]

Continue reading SEC sides with Beastie Boys’ Mike D, says AT&T must allow shareholder vote on net neutrality

SEC sides with Beastie Boys’ Mike D, says AT&T must allow shareholder vote on net neutrality originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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