AOL and Yahoo are currently collaborating with Goodmail on plans to charge between a quarter-cent and a cent for each e-mail message that is sent. They claim the fees are a response to recent e-mail scams, and the plan will allow them to provide better services to their users, such as improved spam blocking. MoveOn.org and the Electronic Freedom Foundation are leading a ragtag band of more than fifty nonprofits in protesting the plan. Although AOL and Goodmail plan to offer discounts for nonprofit users, MoveOn and others say the policy will hurt small businesses, nonprofits and even families.

At the same time, Internet providers are proposing a so-called "toll way superhighway." The plan would allow them to give priority treatment to those who pay extra to get through faster. Critics argue this threat to "net neutrality" is a major threat to the blogosphere, forcing bloggers to choose between paying the extra fees and dealing with a consistently clogged Internet. The benefit would go to the regular media. Washington is fighting back, proposing possible legislation to deal with the problem.

For More Information

"Plan for Fees on Some E-Mail Spurs Protest"

"Building the Internet Toll Road"

Sign an Online Petition Opposing AOL's Plans