New Delhi Even as net neutrality became a major issue in India earlier this year when reports of Internet censorship began filtering in, a Federal Appeals court in Washington is to decide a major case in this regard early next month.

The outcome of this case is expected to set a trend that may affect Internet all over the world.

The issue being taken up is the United States net neutrality rules banning telecom and cable companies from unfairly discriminating against new or potential rivals.

If the court gives a rule in their favour, Internet providers could begin favouring preferred websites and control what services consumers can access from their smartphones, tablets and PCs.

Interestingly, one of three judges who will hear this matter on 4 December is of Indian origin, Judge Sri Srinivasan who was appointed in 2013.

The other judges are Judge Stephen F. Williams and Judge David S. Tatel. Tatel along with two other judges held in 2014 that the Federal Communications Commission misused its powers to impose net neutrality on Internet providers which led to a lot of debate in the US. The case was a petition filed by Verizon against FCC.