Don't forget to check out http://www.auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the archive of the last 3 months of the news. And see my website - http://GoldsteinReport.com/ - for daily updates in between postings. *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** Web of the Future: Building a Faster, More Secure and Egalitarian Internet by Vint Cerf http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vinton-g-cerf/building-a-faster-more-se_b_293191.html US lawmakers question ICANN gTLD plan [IDG] http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/319719/ ICANN seeks to quell concerns on the Hill http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090923_5203.php ICANN Defends Domain Expansion Plan http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/09/icann-defends-domain-expansion.php Control Of Internet Is At Issue [Investor's Business Daily] http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=506654 Internet meltdown threat: Conficker worm refuses to turn http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/internet-meltdown-threat-conficker-worm-refuses-to-turn-20090922-fzlh.html IPv6: Not a Security Panacea [Network World] http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/090921-aj.html Number of Internet Domain Names Continues to Grow, Reaching 184 Million https://press.verisign.com/easyir/customrel.do?easyirid=AFC0FF0DB5C560D3&version=live&prid=538764&releasejsp=custom_97 Domain Name Growth Slows, But 184 Million Domain Names Registered: VeriSign http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=9197 ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Web of the Future: Building a Faster, More Secure and Egalitarian Internet by Vint Cerf The origins of the Internet reach back to the 1960s, when exploration of a technology called "packet switching" was pursued by several innovative thinkers. This area of research got a major boost when the US Defense Advanced Projects Agency (DARPA) invested in the development of the ARPANET. This successful experiment in computer resource sharing led directly to the development of radio- and satellite-based systems and to their integration with the ARPANET into what we now call the Internet. Skipping over 40 years of development and inventions (including Tim Berners-Lee's World Wide Web), the Internet has become a global infrastructure for the support of commerce, social interaction, research and governmental services. An estimated 1.6 billion people use the Internet and probably twice that many may be advantaged indirectly by its services. In addition, there are over 4 billion mobiles in use today, of which an estimated 15 to 20 percent have access to Internet-based services. This trend appears to be continuing and highlights the increasing importance of improving the reliability and security of the Internet's infrastructure. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vinton-g-cerf/building-a-faster-more-se_b_293191.html ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Bulk Transfer of Simply Named Domains to Dinahosting As a result of the de-accreditation of registrar Simply Named Inc., ICANN initiated a process to identify a gaining registrar to receive Simply Named's gTLD names. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-23sep09-en.htm US lawmakers question ICANN gTLD plan [IDG] Several U.S. lawmakers urged ICANN to back off on a plan to offer an unlimited number of new generic top-level domains until concerns about trademark protections and other issues can be addressed. http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/319719/ http://www.techworld.com.au/article/319719/ http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/319719/ ICANN seeks to quell concerns on the Hill The California-based entity that administers the world's Internet addresses has assured lawmakers it is committed to a "long-term, formal relationship" with the U.S. government. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090923_5203.php ICANN Defends Domain Expansion Plan ICANN Chief Operating Officer Doug Brent defended his group's planned expansion of top-level domains -- such as .biz, .info and .us -- at a House Judiciary Courts and Competition Subcommittee hearing Wednesday, arguing that bringing potentially hundreds of new domains to market will benefit consumers and companies that do business online. He said multiple parties from around the world have already expressed interest in securing new domains (like .eco, .nyc, and .basketball) and there have been numerous venues for public comment. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/09/icann-defends-domain-expansion.php 61 Businesses Tell ICANN New TLDs Are Needed to Help Consumers, Encourage Innovation, Avoid Chaos by Antony Van Couvering Sixty-one businesses, organizations, and individuals, including many of the domain industry's major players, yesterday sent a letter to ICANN, detailing the reasons why new top-level domains are required without delay. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090923_61_businesses_tell_icann_new_top_level_domains_are_needed/ New ICANN CEO Takes a Slap at Domain Investors in Letter to Congressmen Defending Planned Flood of New gTLDs Those who have been wondering where new ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom would come down on the organization's highly controversial plan to flood the Internet with new gTLDs now have an answer to their question. Yesterday Beckstrom sent a detailed letter responding to concerns about the plan raised by two of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's top Republicans, Lamar Smith and Howard Coble. http://dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2009/dailyposts/20090923.htm Businesses Urge ICANN To Initiate New gTLDs Without Further Delay It seems ICANN is getting it from both sides these days - with Republican lawmakers opposing the new TLDs and trying to delay the process as well as supporters of the new system urging the Board of Directors of ICANN to ?initiate the new top-level domain application period without further delay.? http://www.domainnamenews.com/up-to-the-minute/businesses-urge-icann-initiate-gtlds-delay/ ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom Responds to Congress ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom has responded to Lamar Smith and Howard Coble?s letter and questions. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/09/23/icann-ceo-rod-beckstrom-responds-to-congress/ ICANN CEO Defends New gTLDs New ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom has responded to the concerns regarding additional gTLDs raised by two of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee?s top Republicans, Lamar Smith and Howard Coble, saying that ?the new gTLD policy development is the very type of process that the United States government envisioned, supported and encouraged through three presidential administrations.? http://www.domainnamenews.com/icann-policy/rod-beckstrom-defends-new-gtlds/ Control Of Internet Is At Issue [Investor's Business Daily] A long-simmering dispute between the U.S. and EU over control of the Internet's underpinnings could boil over as soon as Sept. 30. That's when the U.S. Commerce Department's oversight agreement with the nonprofit that manages the Net is set to expire. http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=506654 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ibd/20090921/bs_ibd_ibd/20090921tech01 Testimony of Domain Name Hearings on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning, the House Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing on the expansion of top level domain names. Four witnesses will testify: Doug Brent, Chief Operating Officer of ICANN, Richard Heath President of International Trademark Association, Paul Stahura, Chief Executive Officer/President eNOM, Inc., and Steve DelBianco, Executive Director of NetChoice. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/09/22/testimony-of-domain-name-hearings-on-capitol-hill/ A New Dawn for Top Level Domain Name ICANN, the organisation responsible for coordinating the Internet domain addressing system, has recently released a draft applicant guide book that sets out the process and procedure that will be implemented in the Summer 2009 for the expansion of global Top Level Domain Names (gTLDs). This development has the potential to expand the boundaries of Internet domain names without limit. http://www.arnoldporter.com/public_document.cfm?id=13762&key=9C2 CADNA Calls for Full-Scale Audit of ICANN With just over a week left before the expiration of the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) between ICANN and the Department of Commerce, the Coalition Against Domain Name Abuse (CADNA) urges the US government to closely re-examine ICANN's structure, governance, and oversight mechanisms before committing to any further long-term cooperation. Significant adjustments must be made to the JPA in order to remedy the egregious problems CADNA has found with ICANN. According to Josh Bourne, President of CADNA, ?ICANN is broken. We're releasing our "Top Ten List" of things wrong with ICANN and proposing a full-scale audit of the nonprofit organization that controls Internet policy." http://www.cadna.org/en/newsroom/press-releases/cadna-calls-for-full-scale-audit-of-ICANN Root Scaling Study Report is Out by Bill Manning Earlier this year, ICANN began to seriously consider the various effects of adding DNS protocol features and new entries into the Root Zone. With the NTIA announcement that the Root Zone would be signed this year, a root scaling study team was formed to assess the scalability of the processes used to create and publish the Root Zone. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090921_root_scaling_study_report_is_out/ Web Shake-up: New Domain Names Coming Hundreds of new domain names are about to compete for attention with the old standbys such as .com, .org and .edu. http://www.kiplinger.com/businessresource/forecast/archive/new_domain_names_coming_090922.html eNom and Tucows to ICANN: Hurry Up and Introduce New TLDs Many organizations that seek to benefit from the introduction of new top level domain names ? including eNom, Network Solutions, Tucows, and Minds + Machines ? have sent a letter to ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom asking him to implement the plan for new TLDs ?without further delay?. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/09/21/enom-and-tucows-to-icann-hurry-up-and-introduce-new-tlds/ Now EAC Grapples With Cyber Threat As East African Community member states prepare to enjoy the benefits of increased bandwidth courtesy of fibre optic cable projects currently under way in the region, they are also grappling with the security threats this is likely to usher in. ... The outcomes of the EA IGF are to form part of the region's agenda at the African Information Society conference in Addis Ababa in January 2010 as well as set the stage for the 37th edition of ICANN meeting to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, in March 2010. http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/-/2558/660788/-/qyeq0nz/-/index.html http://allafrica.com/stories/200909230818.html ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** ca: Door prizes won't energize Canadians in need of smart new domain name initiatives by Michael Geist The Canadian Internet Registration Authority, the agency that administers the dot-ca domain name, holds its annual general meeting in Toronto this week. Attendees will vie for door prizes and hear from executives about the growing number of Canadian domain name registrations, the robust financial health of the organization, and a small list of corporate by-law amendments. http://www.thestar.com/news/article/698457 http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Internet+agency+should+give+domains+door+prizes/2018425/story.html http://www.canada.com/technology/Internet+agency+should+give+domains+door+prizes/2018425/story.html ch/li: Ensuring a secure Internet: SWITCH is running a DNSSEC test operation SWITCH is running a DNSSEC test operation up until February 2010. The .ch and .li zones have been signed to this end. DNSSEC constitutes an extension to the Domain Name System (DNS), which prevents DNS queries from being manipulated. http://www.switch.ch/about/news/2009/dnssec.html de: DENIC eG Makes Access To Holder Data In whois Service More Secure DENIC upgraded its whois services with effect from 22 September 2009. The most essential amendment is the improved protection of domain holder data. Users must now decipher a Captcha to get access to them. This ensures that domain queries can only be submitted by authorized persons and not by automated scripts. http://www.denic.de/en/denic-in-dialog/news/2396.html?cHash=f2e3151d42 ng: The exit of NiRA president When the death of the President of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), Engr. Ndukwe Kalu, was broken last Wednesday, it was shocking. http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/suntech/2009/sept/22/suntech-22-09-2009-002.htm yu: Death of a domain On September 30, .YU will cease to exist as Serbia transitions to its new .RS domain as the country's sole Internet suffix. There's a little bit of Internet history being made over in Belgrade, Serbia, at the moment. http://stephanevangelder.com/archives/269-Death-of-a-domain.html ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Internet meltdown threat: Conficker worm refuses to turn The brightest minds in technology and government are finding it "almost impossible" to defeat the Conficker worm, which has infected more than 5 million computers and, experts say, could be used to knock down the internet in entire countries. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/internet-meltdown-threat-conficker-worm-refuses-to-turn-20090922-fzlh.html Conficker worm still baffles experts Almost a year after it was first detected, the Conficker computer virus is still baffling security experts who say it poses the largest threat of cyber crime. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/23/2694401.htm ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Consulting firm fails to trump Swede's domain name claim A Swedish man has successfully beaten back repeated attempts by Mercer, a prominent multinational consulting firm, to claim a Swedish internet domain name to which he has the rights. http://www.thelocal.se/22204/20090921/ Kentucky's Attempt To Seize Gambling Domain Names Goes To State Supreme Court A year ago, we were surprised to hear that Kentucky's governor was trying to seize the domain names of a long list of over 100 sites that had something to do with gambling. The governor was basing this on a Kentucky law that let the government seize "devices" used for gambling, even though none of the sites in question were based in Kentucky. The governor -- who many say did this to protect local Kentucky gambling operations -- compared these website to "a virtual home invasion." While a judge originally was going to allow the seizure, the state appeals court overturned the ruling, saying that it was clear that a domain name is not a gambling device. http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20090921/0314486264.shtml ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** IPv6: Not a Security Panacea [Network World] With only 10% of reserved IPv4 blocks remaining, the time to migrate to IPv6 will soon be upon us, yet the majority of stakeholders have yet to grasp the true security implications of this next generation protocol. Many simply have deemed it an IP security savior without due consideration for its shortcomings.While IPv6 provides enhancements like encryption, it was never designed to natively replace security at the IP layer. The old notion that anything encrypted is secure doesn?t stand much ground in today?s Internet, considering the pace and sophistication in which encryptions are cracked. For example, at the last Black Hat conference hacker Moxie Marlinspike revealed vulnerabilities that breaks SSL encryption and allows one to intercept traffic with a null-termination certificate. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/090921-aj.html http://www.infoworld.com/d/networking/ipv6-not-security-panacea-608 http://www.thestandard.com/news/2009/09/21/ipv6-not-security-panacea http://www.itworld.com/networking/78393/ipv6-not-security-panacea More on IPv6 - Skepticism abounds In the last newsletter we reported on a lively discussion at the Webtorials Water Cooler on the business case for IPv6. And the consensus, as noted, is that while there probably is an eventual need for IPv6, it's pretty low on the priority list for most enterprises at this point. http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/frame/2009/092109wan2.html ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Number of Internet Domain Names Continues to Grow, Reaching 184 Million Domain names continue to show growth across the Internet, according to the second quarter 2009 Domain Name Industry Brief published by VeriSign. The second quarter of 2009 ended with a total base of 184 million domain name registrations across all of the Top Level Domains (TLDs). This represents a one percent increase over the first quarter of 2009 and growth of nine percent over the same quarter of last year. https://press.verisign.com/easyir/customrel.do?easyirid=AFC0FF0DB5C560D3&version=live&prid=538764&releasejsp=custom_97 Domain Name Growth Slows, But 184 Million Domain Names Registered: VeriSign While total domain name registrations have continued to grow to a new record total of 184 million, the growth has slowed reports the latest VeriSign Domain Name Industry Brief. Undoubtedly the slow in growth is a result of the global financial crisis. However country code (ccTLD) registrations have continued to grow faster than those for generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs). http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=9197 http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/09/21/domain-name-growth-slows-but-184-million-domain-names-registered-verisign/ Domain Registrations Slow to Top 184 Million The total number of Internet domain names continues increasing, but there are signs that growth could be slowing. http://www.internetnews.com/infra/article.php/3840316 Latest Verisign Quarterly Report Says the Total Number of Registered Domains Is 9% Higher Than a Year Ago Verisign has released their latest quarterly Domain Name Industry Brief covering the second quarter of 2009. The new report contains both good news and bad news. The good news is that the total number of registered domains worldwide jumped 9% from the same quarter last year, rising to 184 million. http://dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2009/dailyposts/20090921.htm 15% Decline in Domain Name Registrations, Weak Economic Conditions a Factor Says Report VeriSign today released its second quarter 2009 Domain Name Industry Brief where it reports that the total base of domain name registrations across all of the Top-Level Domains [TLDs] has now reached 184 million. However the report also indicates that there has been a 15% decline compared to the same quarter last year. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090921_15_percent_decline_in_domain_name_registrations/ New Domain Name Registrations Down 15% New registrations of domain names were down 15% in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the same quarter in 2008, and down 14% from the first quarter of 2009, reports VeriSign. The overall base of registered domain names ticked up 1% to 184 million compared to last quarter and 14% compared to the same time last year, thanks mostly to increased country code domain name registrations. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/09/21/new-domain-name-registrations-down-15/ Joi Ito talks about Creative Commons, Twitter, and the White House Joi Ito, chief executive of Creative Commons, talks about its licensing ? and about how Twitter can make money from mobiles. Full transcript of interview. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/sep/23/joi-ito-interview-creative-commons ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** New Study Provides Good News for Domain Owners Who Are Developing Their Own Content-Rich Websites If you are one of the many domain owners who have gotten on the "development" train and started building content-rich websites with the hope of freeing yourself from dependence on steadily dwindling PPC revenue, I have some good news for you. A new study from the Online Publishers Association (OPA), based on six years of analysis, indicates that you are moving in the right direction at the right time. The keyword here is "content" as I'll show you in breaking down the numbers from the OPA study. http://dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2009/dailyposts/20090918.htm Kevin Ham Talks Domains, Business and Money at Vancouver Enterprise Forum Dr. Kevin Ham recently gave a great talk at the Vancouver Enterprise Forum and luckily for us, internet marketer and blogger Adam Killam was there to record the event! http://www.dotsauce.com/2009/09/17/kevin-ham-vancouver-enterprise-forum/ Domain TLD and Trademark Myths I started buying and selling domain names in 1995. Domain speculation began sometime in 1994. I did appraisals and was one of the biggest advocates for registering generic domain names rather than made-up names or those that violated trademarks. http://www.domainsdir.com/news/ShowItem.aspx?ID=7470 ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Why America's conservatives spend more on pornography As far as online adult entertainment is concerned, the Red states are also the red light states. Eight of the top ten pornography consuming states went for McCain in the presidential election (the two exceptions, Florida and Hawaii went democratic). http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-beast/200903/why-conservatives-spend-more-pornography Google's mission to drive up newspaper revenue From an experimental news site that replicates the experience of flicking through a newspaper to micropayment plans and dinners with editors, Google seems to be on a mission to convince publishers it is a friend not foe. In the last week alone, the search giant has launched two services it says will drive up newspaper revenues. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/sep/21/google-newspaper-fast-flip NZ broadband performance keeps improving Average broadband performance continues to improve, the Commerce Commission's June quarter report on broadband services shows. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10599146 ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Social sites catch 90pc of Kiwi web users New research into New Zealanders' internet habits has confirmed our obsession with online social networks and our growing trust of what we read on the web. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10599190 au: Right to bag boss: Facebook Six case to be heard again Six prison officers who were threatened with the sack after they bagged their bosses on Facebook will have their cases reinvestigated following concerns of procedural unfairness. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/biz-tech/right-to-bag-boss-facebook-six-case-to-be-heard-again-20090922-fzpc.html Marketing on social networks - Friends for sale : What is a Facebook friend worth? Online social networks are handy not just as a means of wasting time but also as a communications tool for business. Dell, a computer-maker, has made $3m in sales from Twitter since it started ?tweeting? about its outlet that sells refurbished computers in 2007. Marketers are eager to use fast-growing networks to tout their products. An Australian online-marketing company, uSocial, wants to help them?for a price. On September 16th the firm started selling Facebook friends and fans. http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14460087 ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ How can we empower youngsters to stay safe online? Innovative solutions in Europe by Viviane Reding, Member of the European Commission responsible for Information Society and Media http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/reding/docs/speeches/2009/stockholm-170909.pdf au: Blacklists should be given to vendors, not ISPs The testing company that conducted the Federal Government?s controversial ISP filtering trial claims any blacklists should be kept away from ISPs. http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/319498/ au: 'Girl fight sites' fuel female crime rate A Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researcher says cyber bullying has contributed to the increased representation of young women in crime statistics. Professor Kerry Carrington, the head of the School of Justice at QUT, says data from New South Wales over the past 47 years shows a rise in the number of girls committing crimes, while the rate for boys has decreased. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/22/2693070.htm au: Cyber-bullying among females 'rising' [AAP] Once upon a time the bullying defence was "sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me". But the once-feared sticks and stones have changed to mobile phones. http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/national/6088300/cyber-bullying-among-females-rising/ http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2009/09/22/cyber-bullying-among-females-rising/ au: Sex act on phone at school Secondary students were caught at school watching mobile phone video of a teenage boy and girl having sex. The video, intercepted by a deputy principal, had been sent to the phone of a male Year 9 student by a Year 7 female at the public high school in Sydney's west. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sex-act-on-phone-at-school/story-e6freuy9-1225777830575 uk: Bullied girl's parents warn of 'huge pressures' of Facebook The parents of a 15-year-old public schoolgirl who jumped to her death after being bullied on Facebook have spoken of the "huge pressures" placed on young people by social networking sites. http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/sep/20/facebook-bullying-holly-grogan-suicide uk: Psychiatrists want crackdown on pro-anorexia websites The UK's Royal College of Psychiatrists ("Let Wisdom Guide") wants something done about websites that encourage anorexia and bulimia. "Pro-ana" and "pro-mia" sites appear to attract "a significant number of teenage girls... in particular those with a high risk of eating disorders," say the psychiatrists, and they encourage people to see anorexia and bulimia as "lifestyle choices" rather than mental health problems. But banning such sites outright isn't appropriate. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/09/psychiatrists-crack-down-on-pro-ana-eating-disorder-sites.ars Unicef Marking 50 years of protecting children Unicef Switzerland has made a name for itself in recent years through its campaigns on children's rights and on stopping female genital mutilation. http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/front/Marking_50_years_of_protecting_children.html?siteSect=108&sid=11237832 Online-safety ed, Swedish-style The Swedish Media Council recently unveiled three 30-second animated videos designed to be distributed "virally" by the human peers of their star, "Eddy." He's "an impulsive teenage boy who tries out typical online behavior in the physical world," and he's meant to get youth thinking about why people act differently online. http://www.netfamilynews.org/2009/09/online-safety-ed-swedish-style.html ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Elton John backs crackdown on music piracy Sir Elton John has come out in support of measures to crack down on music piracy by cutting off the internet connections of persistent illegal filesharers. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/sep/21/musicindustry-internetipos Elton John backs Lord Mandelson's move to disconnect illegal file sharers Elton John has become the latest high-profile musician to enter the debate about internet piracy after writing to Lord Mandelson to pledge support for the peer?s proposals to disconnect people who persistently flout the law. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6843437.ece UK music industry talks break down in illegal downloading row The music industry dispute over illegal downloading intensified yesterday after talks between record labels and a rebel group of artists broke down. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6841981.ece Hybrid Internet-TV Makes Progress in Europe Internet television has become so popular that some European broadcasters want to put it on TV ? the one in the living room. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/21/technology/21canvas.html France approves ban for illegal downloaders [AFP] The French parliament has approved a piracy bill that has drawn attention from around the world with its provision to cut illegal downloaders off from the internet. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/23/2694112.htm http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/france-approves-ban-for-illegal-downloaders-20090923-g0r6.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/france-approves-ban-for-illegal-downloaders-20090923-g0r6.html French parliament approves 'three-strikes' anti-piracy law The French National Assembly voted Tuesday to adopt, by 258 votes to 131, the so-called "three strikes" law criminalising file-sharing. Those caught infringing copyright online could face the suspension of their Internet access, a fine or even prison. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/scrt/09627018592D853ACC25763900714FE6 http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/319528/ ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Internet meltdown threat: Conficker worm refuses to turn The brightest minds in technology and government are finding it "almost impossible" to defeat the Conficker worm, which has infected more than 5 million computers and, experts say, could be used to knock down the internet in entire countries. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/internet-meltdown-threat-conficker-worm-refuses-to-turn-20090922-fzlh.html Conficker worm still baffles experts Almost a year after it was first detected, the Conficker computer virus is still baffling security experts who say it poses the largest threat of cyber crime. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/23/2694401.htm Australians spend more on mobiles than petrol The mobile phone is eating a larger slice of the household budget than petrol this year, as the aftershocks of the global financial crisis force Australians to shift some of their consumption back to home base. Spending on food, electricity, gas and water have increased as part of the changing patterns of consumption. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26101985-601,00.html China Mobile passes 500m subs mark China Mobile has become the world?s first mobile operator to pass the half-billion subscriber mark. http://www.telecomasia.net/content/china-mobile-passes-500m-subs-mark 'Social' phones to reveal all about your caller Forget caller ID. A coming wave of ?social? mobile phones is likely to tell you everything you ever wanted to know and more about the person calling you. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f5529db2-a5ff-11de-8c92-00144feabdc0.html WiMax rollout bypasses Wellington Compass Communications plans to roll out a WiMax wireless broadband network covering about 35 cities and districts around the country. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/netw/C1328294DE9AE53DCC257637007271E0 http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/2883679/ How smartphone became Seoul-friendly Until Wednesday, Apple?s list of where its iPhone was available was enough to spark cries of protectionism from tech-savvy South Koreans. www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f75e927e-a865-11de-9242-00144feabdc0.html South Korea to Allow iPhone Entry South Korea's communications regulator decided Wednesday to allow the sale of Apple Inc.'s iPhone, a government spokesman said, lifting a technical requirement that had blocked the product. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125367616595333125.html ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** Antitrust Chief in Europe Seeks to Close Cases Two months before her term expires, Neelie Kroes, the European antitrust chief, has signaled that a settlement is within reach that could end one of the most contentious disputes of her tenure: the long-running case against Microsoft. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/business/global/23kroes.html New Trojan virus poses online banking threat Cyber criminals have created a highly sophisticated Trojan virus that steals online banking log-in details from infected computers. The Clampi virus, which is spreading rapidly across hundreds of thousands of computers in Britain and the United States, infects computers when users visit websites that host a malicious code. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article6841779.ece Book sharing site Scribd rejects claims of copyright infringement Social publishing website Scribd has been hit with a lawsuit which claims that it profits by encouraging internet users to illegally share copyrighted books online. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/sep/21/scribd-lawsuit EBay objects to luxury goods makers' retail control Brand holders have too much power over the way their goods are sold, online auction site EBay has said. It said that 250,000 people in the UK back its campaign to change EU competition law to give retailers more power. http://out-law.com/page-10391 Google wins latest round in Louis Vuitton trademark battle Google today won the latest round of a long-running legal tussle over trademarks in which the luxury goods group Louis Vuitton is fighting to prevent search engines using protected brand names. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/sep/22/google-louis-vuitton-trademark-battle Google closer to victory in keyword ads legal battle Google moved closer on Tuesday to an important victory in its legal battle with brand owners over its flagship advertising system, after a preliminary opinion in Europe?s top court found that its activity did not amount to trademark infringement. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fb422b04-a74c-11de-9467-00144feabdc0.html European Adviser Backs Google on Trademarks A legal adviser to the European Union?s top court backed Google in a trademark case on Tuesday, saying the company should be allowed to sell brand names like Louis Vuitton or Coca-Cola as advertising keywords. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/business/23google.html Google wins keyword legal battle against Louis Vuitton [The Times] Google has won the latest round in a legal battle against Louis Vuitton and other brand owners that are trying to stop the search engine profiting from their trademarks. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article6844929.ece http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,26113660-5017997,00.html EU court adviser backs Google over LVMH on Net ads An adviser to the European Union's top court backed Google on Tuesday in a row with luxury goods maker LVMH over Internet advertising, saying the Web search firm had not infringed trade mark rights. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE58L17B20090922 http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-42617220090922 au: Dodgy internet sites targeted The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will join protection groups from more than 40 countries in inspecting thousands of websites that promise a quick fix for money troubles. http://www.theage.com.au/national/dodgy-internet-sites-targeted-20090922-g0jq.html S'pore Net users can't fish out phishers The country's online adoption is deemed one of the most advanced in the region, but a majority of its Web users still cannot recognize phishing scams, according to a new study released Wednesday. http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/security/0,39044215,62057983,00.htm ************************** PRIVACY ************************** Phorm cuts losses as it faces down criticism of 'big brother' technology Phorm, the controversial behavioural advertising IT company, shook off the disappointment of failing to land a string of UK contracts by slashing its losses 40 per cent, and saying it has a "strong future" in its home market. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/phorm-cuts-losses-as-it-faces-down-criticism-of-big-brother-technology-1791239.html ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Chinese cyberattacks target media ahead of anniversary Foreign media in China have been targeted by emails laden with malicious computer software in attacks that appear to be tied to the run-up to the National Day military parade on October 1. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE58L0LB20090922 Last Major PC Makers Ditch Chinese Web Filter [IDG] Some of the few PC makers who offered a controversial Web filtering program mandated by China have reversed those plans, dealing the latest blow to China's efforts to deploy the software nationwide. http://www.pcworld.com/article/172298/.html http://www.itworld.com/hardware/78275/last-major-pc-makers-ditch-chinese-web-filter http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9138298/Last_major_PC_makers_ditch_Chinese_Web_filter ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** au: Laws to battle online identity crime [sub req'd] New laws that will make it a crime to possess and deal in sensitive digital information including bank account numbers, driver's licences and passwords look set to be passed by the end of this year, ahead of a federal government crackdown aimed at halting the proliferation of cybercrime. http://www.afr.com/home/login.aspx?EDP://20090924000031588547 Internet 'net neutrality' is endorsed by FCC chief New rules proposed by the nation's chief communications regulator to ensure unfettered access to the Internet would level the online playing field as more people surf the Web on mobile devices, but the plan has wireless carriers in an uproar. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-fcc-netneutrality22-2009sep22,0,860229.story US proposes new 'net neutral' rules The US internet regulator has proposed new rules aimed at ensuring that network operators treat the flow of Internet content without discrimination. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article6843078.ece AT&T Calls F.C.C. Neutrality Plan a ?Bait and Switch? You?ve got to hand it to AT&T. They don?t like Julius Genachowski?s plan to apply network neutrality rules to wireless networks, and they aren?t shy about saying so. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/21/att-calls-fcc-net-neutrality-idea-bait-and-switch/ The Freedom to Innovate Without Permission by Wendy Seltzer In a speech this morning, widely heralded (and criticized) as a call for "network neutrality," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski: "Why has the Internet proved to be such a powerful engine for creativity, innovation, and economic growth? A big part of the answer traces back to one key decision by the Internet's original architects: to make the Internet an open system." Now "open system" doesn't mean anarchy. The Internet has rules, technical standards codified in the unassuming sounding "Requests for Comment." http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090921_the_freedom_to_innovate_without_permission/ US proposes net neutrality rules The US has proposed new rules that would require internet firms to respect the principle of "network neutrality". The head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said that "all web traffic should be treated equally". http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8267366.stm 'Open internet' rules criticised US proposals to ensure that all traffic on the internet is treated equally have drawn strong criticism from providers. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants rules to prevent providers blocking or slowing down bandwidth-heavy usage such as streaming video. Providers claim a two-tiered system is essential for the future vitality of the net. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8268297.stm FCC Net neutrality proposal is 'dramatic shift' in policy [IDG] U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski's decision to seek to formalize Net neutrality rules would either bring "unconstitutional" new regulations to the Internet or a welcome "paradigm shift" in U.S. communications policy, depending on whom you ask. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9138340/FCC_Net_neutrality_proposal_is_dramatic_shift_in_policy http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/172312/.html US rules for internet access gain thumbs up from Vint Cerf Internet pioneer, Vint Cerf, has praised a proposal by the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that outlines possible rules for the protection of consumer access to the internet. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/319495/ Chairman Genachowski Outlines Actions to Preserve the Free and Open Internet. [news release] Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski outlined the concrete actions he believes the Commission must take to preserve the free and open Internet at a speech today at The Brookings Institution. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-293567A1.doc http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-293567A1.pdf Prepared Remarks of Chairman Julius Genachowski Federal Communications Commission ?Preserving a Free and Open Internet: A Platform for Innovation, Opportunity, and Prosperity? http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-293568A1.pdf U.S. as Traffic Cop in Web Fight The U.S. government plans to propose broad new rules Monday that would force Internet providers to treat all Web traffic equally, seeking to give consumers greater freedom to use their computers or cellphones to enjoy videos, music and other legal services that hog bandwidth. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125329467451823485.html FCC 'Net Neutrality' Rules Expected to Advance on Vote The Federal Communications Commission's proposal of new rules to prevent companies such as AT&T, Verizon and Comcast from deliberately blocking or slowing certain Web traffic is expected to advance with three votes out of the five-member agency, according to sources. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/20/AR2009092002290.html ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* If Google and Amazon Ran the Web [GigaOM] At the FCC broadband workshop held last week, researchers argued for a new Internet architecture built upon infrastructure currently used in large data centers that would be capable of adapting itself to deliver each individual application. Meanwhile, those associated with think tanks and the broadband industry argued that the most significant Internet-related innovation is already behind us and that we need to think about embedding more intelligence into the network we have. http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/sep2009/tc2009094_951104.htm Google?s Plan to Become The Media Company Here?s a confession I?m a little uneasy making: I still read the newspaper every day. Not an online version, but an old-school, physical newspaper ? the New York Times lands on my lawn each morning. I won?t leaf through the pages until the evening, digging into stories I missed during the day?s chaotic rush. But while the same stories have been online for hours, sometimes a day or more, there?s something about the newspaper ? its layout, its tried-and-true design, even its faint scent of dried pulp and ink ? that makes the print product simpler, and more pleasurable, to devour. The Internet may be killing print papers, but it?s miles from replicating the experience of them. http://gigaom.com/2009/09/20/googles-plan-to-become-the-media-company/ Google agrees to revise book scanning settlement Google has agreed to change its proposed settlement with authors over its Google Books service and has accepted opponents' requests that a court 'fairness hearing' be postponed. http://out-law.com/page-10399 European Union Lays Out Its Evidence Against Intel The Dell executive was sweating bullets at the prospect that chips from Advanced Micro Devices would be used in Dell personal computers instead of chips from Intel, Dell?s main supplier. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/technology/companies/22chip.html EU dives into Intel antitrust specifics European antitrust regulators on Monday published internal e-mails that detail alleged antitrust behavior by Intel. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10356876-92.html Intel accuses EC of mishandling antitrust evidence [IDG] Intel on Monday sharply criticized the European Commission, which found it guilty of anticompetitive behavior, accusing the regulator of being selective with evidence it looked at and, essentially, setting out to find the company guilty. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9138359/Intel_accuses_EC_of_mishandling_antitrust_evidence EU publishes evidence to back up ?1bn Intel fine European regulators have published evidence of anti-competitive behaviour by Intel, as arguments continue over the record ?1.06bn (?960m) fine levied against the computer chip maker. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/sep/21/european-commission-intel EU publishes its case against Intel The European Commission has published a non-confidential version of its Intel Decision, under which the chip maker was fined a record $ 1.45bn http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/sep/21/eu-intel-antitrust ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Tanner's 75pc off broadband The cost to taxpayers of the government's new high-speed broadband network could be just a quarter of the initial $43billion estimated price tag, Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner says. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,26102681-15306,00.html Wellington fibre-ready, claims mayor [The Dominion Post] Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast has dismissed concerns that the city is unprepared to take advantage of the Government's $1.5 billion Broadband Investment Initiative, despite a lack of interest from two deep-pocketed potential investors. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/2883676/ nz: Telecom keeps lid on TiVo details Telecom won't spell out its deal with the new television device TiVo. But it says consumers considering buying the $899 device and attracted by the free broadband offer - a key part of its appeal - need not worry it will be wound back. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10598553 nz: Telecom complied with TSO: ComCom Telecom has complied with quality measures for its local residential telephone service for the 2008/09 financial year under the telecommunications service obligations (TSO), the Commerce Commission says. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10598147 nz: Telecom accelerates rollout of superfast DSL Telecom Wholesale is expanding its VDSL, superfast DSL broadband services around the country ahead of the government's planned $1.5 billion investment in fibre infrastructure. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/netw/80AA342E8CB4F7F4CC2576380074E739 ********************************** ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION ********************************** Austria: 43 suspects ID?d in child porn probe [AP] Austrian authorities say they have identified 43 people suspected of possessing, passing on, or looking at child pornography online. http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/europe/view/20090923austria_43_suspects_idd_in_child_porn_probe/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2009 --------- David Goldstein email: goldstein_david§yahoo.com.au web: http://davidgoldstein.tel/ http://goldsteinreport.com/ phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim Flannery __________________________________________________________________________________ Get more done like never before with Yahoo!7 Mail. Learn more: http://au.overview.mail.yahoo.com/Received on Thu Sep 24 2009 - 00:07:36 UTC
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