The regulations, often called open Internet rules, prohibit broadband providers from blocking customer access to legal Web content. The rules require broadband providers to disclose their network management practices and performance metrics to customers, in addition to prohibiting broadband providers from blocking legal Web content.

The FCC, however, did not prohibit mobile carriers from the "unreasonable discrimination" that wireline broadband providers are required to avoid. The rules prohibit mobile providers from blocking voice and other applications that compete with their services, but do not prohibit them from blocking other applications.

The FCC exempted specialized, or managed, services offered by broadband providers from most net neutrality rules.

Free Press' appeal was filed in a Boston appeals court, and MAIN's in Richmond, Virginia.