The Internet is big business, but access to the Internet is even bigger business. That was the mind set of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which tried to tell Comcast that it couldn't limit available broadband to certain heavy users.

However, a U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia ruled Tuesday that the FCC doesn't have the authority to tell Comcast, an in essence other providers, whether or not they can limit access to the Internet.

According to the 3-0 ruling, the FCC lacked "any statutorily mandated responsibility" to enforce network neutrality rules, wrote Judge David Tatel. Some net neutrality advocates said the ruling raises broad questions about the FCC's authority to take any actions not spelled out in law.