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 *************************************************** Proposed Final Implementation Plan: IDN ccTLD Fast Track Process http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-30sep09-en.htm ICANN CEO Talks About the New Affirmation of Commitments http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-30sep09-en.htm Commerce's NTIA and ICANN Establish a Long-Lasting Framework for the Technical Coordination of the Internet?s Domain Name and Addressing System http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2009/ICANN_Affirmation_090930.html European Commission Welcomes US Move To More Independent, Accountable, International Internet Governance http://www.eurunion.org/eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3496&Itemid=58 The internet belongs to you by Rod Beckstrom http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/sep/30/icann-internet-us US slackens grip on internet oversight group http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/61d8a0ca-adea-11de-87e7-00144feabdc0.html ICANN freed from US gov't oversight [IDG] http://www.pcworld.com/article/172896/.html More autonomy, international oversight for ICANN [AFP] http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10600604 US govt and ICANN sign deal http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=378259&articleID=857088 US to share Internet review amid worldwide growth [AP] http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/09/30/technology-us-tec-internet-names_6948927.html ICANN?s New US Contract And New Top Level Domains - It?s Not Over by Monika Ermert http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2009/09/29/icanns-new-us-contract-and-new-top-level-domains-its-not-over/ au: Supreme Court of Victoria backs auDA in battle with Bottle Domain http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/320113/ AUDA calls for new .au domain names http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/320658/ auDA invites proposals for new 2LDs, conf.au and info.au http://www.auda.org.au/news-archive/auda-01102009/ Bottle Domains to appeal court ruling http://risky.biz/news_and_opinion/patrick-gray/2009-09-30/exclusve-bottle-domains-appeal-court-ruling Swedish Agency Decides Against .SE Domain Identity Checks http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/092909_Swedish_Agency_Decides_Against_SE_Domain_Identity_Checks yu: End in site for Yugoslav domains http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8278364.stm ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Proposed Final Implementation Plan: IDN ccTLD Fast Track Process ICANN is pleased to announce the public posting of the Proposed Final Implementation Plan for the IDN ccTLD Fast Track Process. The IDN ccTLD Fast Track Process is an important step at making the Internet equally accessible for everyone. It will enable the introduction of a limited number of internationalized country-code top level domain names (IDN ccTLDs). Once implemented, this will be the first time that users can obtain a domain name with the entire string in characters based on their native language. The process will be available to all countries and territories where the official language is based on scripts other than the Latin (extended) script. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-30sep09-en.htm Ask a Question Direct to the Board in Seoul An online question box where community members can ask questions directly to the ICANN Board and staff has opened today. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-29sep09-en.htm ICANN is Seeking Independent Researchers to Respond to Request for Proposal on WHOIS Misuse Studies The Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) is responsible for developing and recommending to the ICANN Board substantive policies relating to gTLDs. The GNSO Council is now exploring several extensive studies of WHOIS and has asked ICANN to estimate the cost and feasibility of conducting several studies proposed by members of the ICANN community and ICANN?s Government Advisory Committee. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-28sep09-en.htm Application Round Opens for Nairobi Meeting Fellowships ICANN has launched the ninth round of fellowship program applications for its 37th International Public Meeting to be held in Nairobi, Kenya from 7-12 March 2010. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-29sep09-en.htm ICANN CEO Talks About the New Affirmation of Commitments The Affirmation of Commitments completes a transition that started 11 years ago ... When ICANN was created in 1998, with the assistance of the United States Government, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) process was started with the objective of achieving a noble goal: the coordination of the Internet's unique identifiers by the private sector through a not-for-profit organization where policies were developed from the bottom up. http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-30sep09-en.htm European Commission welcomes US move to more independent, accountable, international internet governance Viviane Reding, the EU's Commissioner for Information Society and Media, today welcomed news that ICANN, the body primarily responsible for managing internet domain names, will become more open and accountable to billions of internet users worldwide. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1397 Commerce's NTIA and ICANN Establish a Long-Lasting Framework for the Technical Coordination of the Internet?s Domain Name and Addressing System The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today that it has reached an agreement with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) that establishes a long-lasting framework for the technical coordination of the Internet?s domain name and addressing system (DNS). http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2009/ICANN_Affirmation_090930.html ICANN's Joint Project Agreement to expire on 30 September For internet traffic to reach its destination, domain names and addresses are essential. The organisation responsible for the definition of policies for the global coordination of the Domain Name System (DNS) is ICANN, a private sector, non-profit US corporation based in California. Since its creation in 1998, ICANN has operated under a series of Memoranda of Understanding with the US government which specified its objectives regarding policy making for the DNS. The most recent MoU (called the "Joint Project Agreement") will expire on 30 September 2009. In May, EU Commissioner Viviane Reding outlined her vision for the future of internet governance in a video message. http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=5278 The EU welcomes the new model for multi-stake-holder cooperation in the coordination and management of the DNS [news release] Today the Joint Project Agreement between the U.S. Department of Commerce and ICANN expires and a new phase begins with the release of the "Affirmation of Commitments" (AoC). The EU has continuously taken an active interest in the coordination and management of the Internet Domain Name System (DNS) and therefore welcomes this new approach. http://www.se2009.eu/en/meetings_news/2009/9/30/press_release_the_eu_welcomes_the_new_model_for_multi-stake-holder_cooperation_in_the_coordination_and_management_of_the_internet_domain_name_system_dns European Commission Welcomes US Move To More Independent, Accountable, International Internet Governance Viviane Reding, the EU's Commissioner for Information Society and Media, today welcomed news that ICANN, the US-based ICANN primarily responsible for managing internet domain names, will become more open and accountable to billions of internet users worldwide. http://www.eurunion.org/eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3496&Itemid=58 US relinquishes control of the internet After complaints about American dominance of the internet and growing disquiet in some parts of the world, Washington has said it will relinquish some control over the way the network is run and allow foreign governments more of a say in the future of the system. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/sep/30/icann-agreement-us The internet belongs to you by Rod Beckstrom It's a question that everyone has asked at one time: Who controls the internet? The answer, of course, is no one. But just how can this be? How is it possible for nearly two billion people to interact with one another every day ? posting words, linking videos and tagging photographs ? without someone, somewhere making sure it all works properly? http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/sep/30/icann-internet-us Your questions for: Icann chief Rod Beckstrom Icann, the body that administrates the internet, is an organisation that most people find byzantine and confusing. The non-profit body oversees many different aspects of our online life, most importantly the domain names that websites use (including approving new extensions like .mobi and .tel). http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/sep/30/internet US relaxes grip on the internet The US government has relaxed its control over how the internet is run. It has signed a four-page "affirmation of commitments" with the net regulator Icann, giving the body autonomy for the first time. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8283310.stm US slackens grip on internet oversight group The US agreed on Wednesday to relinquish some oversight of the global group that controls basic elements of the internet?s architecture, easing concerns that the US has undue influence over the web?s evolution. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/61d8a0ca-adea-11de-87e7-00144feabdc0.html Internet governance goes global as U.S. loosens grip on ICANN A deal with ICANN allowing the U.S. to review the group expired Wednesday. ICANN now will be reviewed by a group of stakeholders from around the world. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-internet1-2009oct01,0,132206.story U.S. Gov't, ICANN Extend Relationship The Obama administration and the California entity that administers the world's Web addresses inked a deal late Tuesday to extend the formal relationship between the U.S. government and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers hours before an existing contract was set to expire. Under the so-called "affirmation of commitments," ICANN promises to remain a U.S.-based nonprofit and continue its focus on transparency and accountability. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/09/us-govt-icann-extend-relations.php U.S. Loosens Control Over ICANN The U.S. government said Wednesday it had ended its 11-year contract with the nonprofit body that oversees key aspects of the Internet's architecture, after demands from other countries for more say in how the Web works. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125432179022552705.html Lawmakers and industry leaders praise ICANN deal Key lawmakers today praised an agreement reached late Tuesday aimed at ensuring a permanent relationship between the U.S. government and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. The deal requires ICANN to set up review processes to help assess and improve its mission and operations and was signed hours before an existing contract was set to expire. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090930_4227.php Yes Icann Icann, the authority that administrates the DNS system that correlates the easy-to-remember web addresses such as microsoft.com or telegraph.co.uk with the IP addresses that identify every computer on the internet is breaking a little freer of its allegiance to the US flag and dropping its commitment to report directly to the American Department of Commerce [DOC]. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/technology/iandouglas/100003726/yes-icann/ ICANN freed from US gov't oversight [IDG] ICANN has reached a new agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce allowing the nonprofit greater independence, while giving more countries oversight of the organization. http://www.pcworld.com/article/172896/.html http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/320524/ http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/320524/ US relaxes grip on Internet The US has agreed to relinquish some oversight of ICANN, the global group that oversees elements of the Internet's architecture. The move should give other countries a more prominent internet role and ease concerns that the US has undue influence over its evolution. http://news.techworld.com/networking/3203052/ http://www.computerworlduk.com/management/online/e-business/news/index.cfm?newsid=16874 Agreement ends US rule over internet [sub req'd] The United States government's oversight of the internet's governing body has ended after 11 years with a decision taken not to renew the longstanding joint project agreement (JPA). http://www.afr.com/home/login.aspx?EDP://20091001000031612004 More autonomy, international oversight for ICANN [AFP] The United States on Wednesday loosened its control over the private sector corporation that administers the Internet, granting it greater autonomy and opening it up to international oversight. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10600604 http://news.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/us-loosens-its-control-over-the-internet-20091001-gcww.html http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/technology-news/us-loosens-its-control-over-the-internet-20091001-gcww.html US govt and ICANN sign deal The U.S. government and the body in charge of assigning Internet addresses signed an agreement on Wednesday that allows for greater global participation in the Internet domain name process. http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=378259 http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=378259&articleID=857088 DOC to ICANN: Time to End Double-Weighted Voting of Registries and Registrars The US Department of Commerce and ICANN announced today an Affirmation of Commitments. One of the important elements of that document was in section 4, namely that "ICANN and DOC recognize that there is a group of participants that engage in ICANN's processes to a greater extent than Internet users generally." http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090930_doc_to_icann_end_double_weighted_voting_registries_registrar/ Post JPA: Tempered Happiness by Avri Doria The Affirmation gladdens me. The Affirmation worries me. The Affirmation makes me wonder what is next. I am of course referring to the Affirmation of Commitments between the United States Department of Commerce (DoC) and ICANN. In the respect that the US is loosening its grip on ICANN a little, this is a good thing. http://www.circleid.com/posts/post_jpa_tempered_happiness/ Interview: Rod Beckstrom on Affirmation of Commitments We have a new acronym to add to the domain name lexicon: AOC, for Affirmation of Commitments. Earlier today ICANN formally announced its new agreement to replace the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) with the U.S. Government. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/09/30/interview-rod-beckstrom-on-affirmation-of-commitments/ US to share Internet review amid worldwide growth [AP] As Internet use expands worldwide, the United States said Wednesday it will give other governments and the private sector a greater oversight role in an organization whose decisions affect how computers relay traffic such as e-mail and Twitter posts. http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/09/30/technology-us-tec-internet-names_6948927.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/30/AR2009093001700.html http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/technology/internet/01icann.html New Agreement Between US Govt and ICANN Gives Greater Say to Govts, Private Sector Around the World The American Government has announced it will give other governments around the world and the private sector a greater say in oversight for the technical coordination of the Internet?s domain name and addressing system (DNS). http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=9240 http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/09/30/new-agreement/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/new-agreement-between-us-govt-and-icann-gives-greater-say-to-govts-private-sector-around-the-world.html US 'to loosen' grip on internet The US government is expected to relax control over how the internet is run when it signs an accord with net regulator Icann on Wednesday. The "affirmation of commitments" will reportedly give Icann autonomy to run its own affairs for the first time. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8275679.stm US relationship with ICANN may not end upon agreement expiration [IDG] A longtime agreement in which the U.S. Department of Commerce has oversight of ICANN is due to expire Wednesday, but that may not be the end of the relationship. http://www.pcworld.com/article/172825/.html http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9138668/U.S._relationship_with_ICANN_may_not_end http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/092909-us-relationship-with-icann-may.html Global Oversight For ICANN; US Role In Core Infrastructure Unchanged by Monika Ermert A mere ?affirmation of commitments? (AoC) between ICANN and the United States Department of Commerce has replaced the decade-old joint project agreement in place in different forms since ICANN started technical coordination of names and numbers on the net in 1998. There are mixed reviews. http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2009/10/01/global-oversight-for-icann-us-role-in-core-infrastructure-unchanged/ ICANN?s New US Contract And New Top Level Domains - It?s Not Over by Monika Ermert With a day to go before the joint project agreement between the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the United States Department of Commerce (DoC) is set to expire, calls for continuous US oversight role have been reiterated by US politicians and private-sector representatives who reason that this oversight is especially needed in the face of the planned introduction of new internet top-level domains like .shop. http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2009/09/29/icanns-new-us-contract-and-new-top-level-domains-its-not-over/ US government to let Icann go, reports say The United States government will on Wednesday announce it is relinquishing most of the control it currently exerts over Icann, the organisation that runs the internet's core domain systems, the BBC reports. http://community.zdnet.co.uk/blog/0,1000000567,10014029o-2000331761b,00.htm http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-347254.html US internet dominance to end as management privatised [The Times] America's decade-long control of the internet will end today when it bows to pressure and gives other countries a greater say in how the web is run. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article6854568.ece http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,26145751-5017997,00.html http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,26145791-5017965,00.html Maintaining status quo is lesser evil Reporters Without Borders prefers a continuation of the status quo in international Internet governance rather than the creation of an inter-governmental system to replace the existing oversight by ICANN, a California-based non-profit. http://www.rsf.org/Nouvel-article,34617.html CADNA Calls for Full-Scale Audit of ICANN [news release] With just over a week left before the expiration of the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) between the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (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. http://www.cadna.org/en/newsroom/press-releases/cadna-calls-for-full-scale-audit-of-ICANN US to have less control over the Internet The US government is expected relinquish much of its control over the Internet in the coming days when it signs a new agreement with ICANN. http://www.netguide.co.nz/200909301175/us-to-have-less-control-over-the-internet.php ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom on Expanding Domain Names and the Global Nature of the Internet We don't often think of the coordination behind the Internet, because we just expect the thing to work. But one big reason it works is because ICANN makes sure every website has a unique address. http://www.pbs.org/nbr/blog/2009/09/icann_ceo_rod_beckstrom_on_exp.html The Commerce Department Opens the Internet Floodgate SUSIE GHARIB: The Internet is a little more global tonight. The Commerce Department agreed to relax control over the non-profit company that sets the rules for web site domain names. In theory, it means the Internet will now better reflect its global footprint. In practice, it means stay tuned for a ton of new places to surf, which may be good or bad news. Darren Gersh explains. http://www.pbs.org/nbr/site/onair/transcripts/the_internet_casts_an_even_wider_net_090930/ In Congress, A Confusing Argument Against New TLDs by Antony Van Couvering In a recent post to CircleID entitled New Domains and ICANN Accountability, Steve DelBianco paints himself as "frustrated" that ICANN didn't take a different path toward new TLDs. Mr. DelBianco was one of four witnesses at a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Courts and Competition on September 23, 2009. He is a creative advocate for his clients, an engaging speaker, and a skillful writer, and he produced a synopsis of the hearing which sounded convincing?until I tried to make sense of it. http://www.circleid.com/posts/in_congress_a_confusing_argument_against_new_tlds/ Registry-Registrar Cross Ownership: Framing the Issues by Jon Nevett There has been much said and written recently about the issue of registry-registrar cross ownership with regard to New TLDs. It is clear that there appears to be a fair amount of confusion about the issue and the positions espoused by various parties. To assist the ICANN community in understanding the issue?the points of agreement and debate?I offer the following overview on behalf of Network Solutions and Central Registry Solutions. http://www.circleid.com/posts/registry_registrar_cross_ownership_framing_the_issues/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** au: Supreme Court of Victoria backs auDA in battle with Bottle Domain The Supreme Court of Victoria has upheld Domain Administration?s (auDA) decision to terminate Australian Style?s (which trades as Bottle Domain) registrar accreditation. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/320113/ http://www.goodgearguide.com.au/article/320289/ http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/320289/ AUDA calls for new .au domain names The Australian Domain Name Administrator (AUDA) has announced plans to reactivate the second-level domain names (2LDs) conf.au and info.au. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/320658/ auDA invites proposals for new 2LDs, conf.au and info.au auDA has today published the following documents: call for Proposals for New 2LDs, call for Proposals for conf.au and info.au and call for Nominations for New 2LDs Advisory Panel http://www.auda.org.au/news-archive/auda-01102009/ Bottle Domains to appeal court ruling Domain name registrar Bottle Domains will appeal a court ruling that would have seen it stripped of accreditation as a registrar, Australia's domain name regulator says. http://risky.biz/news_and_opinion/patrick-gray/2009-09-30/exclusve-bottle-domains-appeal-court-ruling http://risky.biz/RB125 ch/li: Established Internet Providers wish to prevent the market entry of switchplus ag Many of the big Internet Providers in Switzerland are attempting to prevent the successful market entry of switchplus ag by all available means. The immediately enforceable injunction (superprovisorische Verf?gung) they have obtained is unjustified, and SWITCH is disappointed that they have opted to take legal action rather than to engage in dialogue. http://www.switch.ch/about/news/2009/news-article-0001.html Companies Vie for Control of ?Dot-Eco? Next year, for the first time since 2003, the body that regulates Internet addresses will expand the available domain suffixes ? that is, designations like dot-com, dot-org, or more recently, dot-tv ? from the existing 21 names. http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/comapnies-vie-for-control-of-dot-eco/ jp: Body formed to manage kanji-based domain name for Japan [Kyodo News] The Internet Association Japan and other Internet-related organizations said Monday they have set up a joint body to manage the use of the kanji character for Japan as its Internet domain name. The move precedes an expected decision by the U.S.-based ICANN to introduce Internet addresses in Japanese and other characters in addition to the English alphabet, officials said. http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/body-formed-to-manage-kanji-based-domain-name-for-japan Peru Telco Seeks to Promote .PE to SMEs The Peruvian telecommunications company, Red Cientifica Peruana (RCP), is planning to assist one million small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to gain a web presence in the next three years using .PE domain names. The idea is by getting more Peruvian businesses online their competitiveness will be enhanced. http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/09/29/peru-smes/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/peru-telco-seeks-to-promote-.pe-to-smes.html Swedish Agency Decides Against .SE Domain Identity Checks After releasing a report that the Swedish .SE registry should inspect domains prior to registration containing words on a "block list," the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency, which is responsible for the country's electronic communications, has since decided to drop their earlier demand. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/092909_Swedish_Agency_Decides_Against_SE_Domain_Identity_Checks Swedish Domain Petition Namnbank.se successful During lunch on September 28, the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (PTS) decided to drop their earlier demand that Swedish registry .SE should check all domain name applications containing the word ?bank? prior to registration. The decision was well received by the largest Swedish vendor of se-domains, Binero, which had started the petition Namnbank.se against the decision, as well as by it?s over 8000 signatories. http://www.myhostnews.com/2009/09/swedish-domain-petition-namnbank-se-successful/ yu: End in site for Yugoslav domains Websites using the .yu domain extension will cease to be available online from 30 September. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8278364.stm It's adieu, .yu as web watchdog Balkanises domain name One of the last vestiges of the former Yugoslavia will disappear tomorrow as internet officials prepare to close down the web address belonging to the disintegrated country. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/sep/29/yugoslavia-yu-domain-name-icann Only two days left for .yu domain The old Internet domain of Serbia ending with .yu should be put out of operation on Wednesday midnight September 30. This means that 4,000 sites still in that domain shall be erased from the world net. http://www.blic.rs/society.php?id=5231 Internet Says Goodbye To .YU Websites ICANN, the body that oversees much of how the world wide web interacts, will say goodbye to .yu, the country code for the former nation of Yugoslavia. http://www.inquisitr.com/39964/internet-says-goodbye-to-yu-websites/ It's adieu, .yu as web watchdog Balkanises domain name One of the last vestiges of the former Yugoslavia will disappear tomorrow as internet officials prepare to close down the web address belonging to the disintegrated country. http://u.tv/News/Its-adieu-yu-as-web-watchdog-Balkanises-domain-name/7bd075cb-e66b-498e-9cd3-05c93f74df4c Former Republic of Yugoslavia Kicked out of Internet Websites using the .yu domain extension will cease to be available online from 30 September. http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=108284 ICANN removed the .yu extension The Serbian National Register of Internet Domain Names has requested a postponement of several months; ICANN is meeting to consider the request. http://www.emportal.rs/en/news/serbia/99920.html With the Virtual Bulldozers Closing in on Its Online Home, the Former Yugoslavia is About to Become Even More Former One of the last vestiges of the former Yugoslavia will disappear tomorrow as internet officials prepare to close down the web address belonging to the disintegrated country. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/312416.html ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Conficker Showdown: No End In Sight Security researchers have picked it apart, vendors have banded together to fight it, and most users have at least heard of it after it made the mainstream media for a possible April 1 activation that never happened -- but the Conficker worm just won't go away. Its bot count has remained steady at around 6 million machines since this summer. And no one really knows what its operators have in store for all of that firepower. http://www.darkreading.com/security/vulnerabilities/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=220300359 Singapore to Form National Cyber-security Agency [IDG] Singapore will set up a government agency, the Singapore Infocomm Technology Security Authority (SITSA), to handle technology-related threats to the city-state's national security, a government minister said Wednesday. http://www.pcworld.com/article/172860/.html http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/320481/ http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/320481/ Singapore sets up body to prevent cyber-attacks [AFP] Singapore on Wednesday announced the creation of a special agency to protect the city-state from cyber-attack. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/singapore-sets-up-body-to-prevent-cyberattacks-20091001-gcwx.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/singapore-sets-up-body-to-prevent-cyberattacks-20091001-gcwx.html ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Not-So-Uniform Domain Dispute Resolution Policy Officially, UDRP stands for Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy. But sometimes it seems it should be called various-form, or not-uniform. How arbitrators decide cases can be a crap shoot. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/09/28/not-so-uniform-domain-dispute-resolution-policy/ Paris Attacks Geo Domain Name Owners In a startling move, a quasi-governmental organization in Paris, France, has filed domain disputes against owners of generic domain names including the word ?Paris? that have to do with internet access. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/09/29/paris-attacks-geo-domain-name-owners/ Jackson Estate Sues Foundation Michael Jackson's estate filed suit in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles against the Heal the World Foundation, accusing the entity of trademark infringement, cyber-squatting and using entertainer?s name and likeness without permission to deceive the public into assuming that it operates a Jackson-sanctioned charity. http://www.labusinessjournal.com/article.asp?aID=141124 Brandjacking is harming pharmaceutical industry A growth in brandjacking is hitting the pharmaceutical industry hard, with continued growth in listings for pharmaceuticals on business-to-business exchange sites as well as increased traffic to illicit pharmacies. http://communicatemagazine.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=441 ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Is the Transition to IPv6 a "Market Failure?" by Geoff Huston This is an extended commentary on a presentation to the 1st Workshop on Internet Economics, hosted by CAIDA in September 2009. http://www.circleid.com/posts/is_the_transition_to_ipv6_a_market_failure/ IPv6 - The discussion continues It's fascinating what does and doesn't generate discussion among us geeks. Still, we were pleasantly surprised by both the amount of discussion and continued wide range of opinions that our posing the question of the business case for IPv6 brought about. And since some of you may not have visited the discussion pages for the prior two newsletters and continued discussion at the Webtorials Water Cooler, this week's newsletters will summarize some of the comments. http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/frame/2009/092809wan1.html ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Why is protecting and securing your domain names important from an Intellectual Property perspective? [sub req'd] A rapid number of individuals and businesses are promoting themselves through their websites. Those same people are also often marketing and selling their goods or services over the internet. http://www.linexlegal.com/content.php?content_id=114504 Why Distinguish Between Defensive and Offensive Domain Names? by Alex Tajirian Offensive domain-name registrations require strategic corporate decisions. Second, they require different strategic and tactical remedies when third parties register desired names. Thus, different organizational approaches are necessary to manage domain name risks and rewards. The essay identifies the strategic differences and remedies for the two types of domain names, and outlines the implications for internal work-flow organizational structures. http://www.circleid.com/posts/why_distinguish_between_defensive_and_offensive_domain_names/ Back-end services provider chosen for .PARIS After several months evaluating candidates, the City of Paris has chosen its back-end services provider for .PARIS. http://stephanevangelder.com/archives/274-Back-end-services-provider-chosen-for-.PARIS.html ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Sedo sells minority stake to parent for $8M Online domain marketplace Sedo disclosed late Wednesday it sold its remaining ownership stake to parent company, German online marketing services firm AdLINK Group in a cash and stock deal. http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2009/09/28/daily28-Sedo-sells-minority-stake-to-parent-for-8M.html Sedo Founders Sell Remaining 24% of Company, Schumacher Promoted Sedo parent company AdLINK Group has purchased the outstanding 24.06% of Sedo shares owned by its founders. AdLINK will purchase the shares for 5.5M EUR in cash plus 4.25 million shares of AdLINK. At today?s exchange rates and stock price, and assuming no restrictions on the stock, that values Sedo at about $130 million. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/09/30/sedo-founders-sell-remaining-24-of-company-schumacher-promoted/ Sedo Introduces a New No Minimum Commission Offer If there is something we know about here at Sedo, it?s how to sell domains. And we?ve found that few things help sell your domains faster than parking them with Sedo and listing them at a fixed price. That?s why we?re excited to announce a new ?No Minimum Commission? offer starting October 21, 2009. To take advantage of this promotion, Sedo will waive the 50 EUR/USD or 35 GBP minimum commission for qualifying domains that follow these sales tips. Please review our FAQs for more information and specific requirements as our previous promotion expires October 21, 2009. http://www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2498 ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Australia to hit 69% household broadband penetration by 2013:Gartner Australia is expected to add about 1.7 million household broadband connections between 2008 and 2013, lifting its penetration rate from about 55 per cent in 2008 to 69 per cent, according to new research from Gartner. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/320246/ Online advertising overtakes TV sales in Britain for first time ever The advertising market experienced a "significant" shift this year as companies spent more money on the internet than on television for the first time. Spending on internet advertising grew 4.6 per cent in the first half of 2009 to hit ?1.7bn, according to digital marketing trade body Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB). Advertising on television amounted to ?1.6bn, down from ?1.9bn year on year. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/online-advertising-overtakes-tv-sales-for-first-time-ever-1795274.html Internet overtakes television to become biggest advertising sector in the UK The UK has become the first major economy where advertisers spend more on internet advertising than on television advertising, with a record ?1.75bn online spend in the first six months of the year. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/sep/30/internet-biggest-uk-advertising-sector Web ad spend outstrips TV for first time Spending on internet advertising in Britain has overtaken television for the first time, according to a report published today. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article6854796.ece http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,26149938-36418,00.html Online advertising overtakes television for the first time Advertising spending on the internet has overtaken television expenditure in the UK for the first time, according to a report today. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/digital-media/6245277/Online-advertising-overtakes-television-for-the-first-time.html UK broadband 'not fit' for future A global study of broadband puts the UK 25th out of 66 countries in terms of the quality of its broadband networks. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8282839.stm Global Broadband Quality Study Shows Progress, Highlights Broadband Quality Gap [news release] The results of the second annual global study on the quality of broadband connections released today reveal that 62 out of the 66 countries analyzed had improved the quality of consumer broadband services since last year. However, new data from the study highlights the extent of the digital quality divide between urban and rural areas and, for the first time, compares the quality of fixed and mobile broadband services. http://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/news/media/Press+Releases/Cisco+BQS+2009.htm Google invites users to join Wave Google Wave, which combines email, instant messaging and wiki-style editing will go on public trial today. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8280864.stm Google set to roll out Wave to 100,000 early users Google Inc.'s highly anticipated communication and collaboration tool - Google Wave - is one big step closer to its first customer shipment. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9138663/Google_set_to_roll_out_Wave_to_100_000_early_users http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/320365/ Google Wave beta testing begins Google Wave, a browser-based tool combines email, instant messaging and real-time interaction, is one of the most anticipated products to emerge this year. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2009/sep/30/google-wave-beta-testing US web users reject behavioural advertising, study finds Americans do not want to be given tailored advertising based on monitoring of their online behaviour, according to what its authors call the first independent, academically rigorous survey of consumers' views. http://out-law.com/page-10410 ********************* SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Twitter Study Reveals Interesting Results About Usage ? 40% is "Pointless Babble" A while back we embarked on a study that evolved after a having a debate in the office as to how people are using and consuming Twitter. Some felt it was their source of news and articles, others felt it was just a bunch of self-promotion with very few folks actually paying attention. But mostly, many people still perceive Twitter as just mindless babble of people telling you what they are doing minute-by-minute; as if you care they are eating a sandwich at the moment. http://www.pearanalytics.com/2009/twitter-study-reveals-interesting-results-40-percent-pointless-babble/ Facebook warning: beware shady cash-strapped 'friends' Facebook wants its members to be on guard for an old scam taking on new life in the world's largest online social-networking community. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10600609 ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ Content filtering works, Enex trial shows Results of a federal government trial show that live ISP-level content filtering does not have a negative impact on network performance and can work in a real-time environment. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26150131-15306,00.html Victoria Police home in on child porn Victoria Police have secretly identified thousands of child pornography suspects who are allegedly trading images through international online networks. http://www.theage.com.au/national/police-home-in-on-child-porn-20090930-gcr2.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/spy-software-then-police-swoop-on-child-porn-file-sharers-20090930-gctk.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/spy-software-then-police-swoop-on-child-porn-file-sharers-20090930-gctk.html Caught in the web Victorian police are using cutting-edge technology and internet stings to swoop on hundreds of suspected child sex offenders. http://www.theage.com.au/national/caught-in-the-web-20090930-gcrk.html Bullying 'mostly old school, not cyber' [AAP] Facebook and Twitter may have handed bullies some powerful new avenues for attack, but they are still most active in the playground, an Australian study shows. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,26146649-1702,00.html http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,26146732-2,00.html us: Online Safety and Technology Working Group Public Meeting NTIA has published a notice announcing a public meeting of the Online Safety and Technology Working Group. The meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C., on September 24, 2009. Please note: The time for the meeting has been changed from that published in the Federal Register; the meeting will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time. http://www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2009/FR_OSTWGmeeting_090908.pdf US House members trying to stop Internet bullying [AP] Members of the U.S. House of Representatives struggled Wednesday for a way to stop Internet bullying of children without violating free speech. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/us-house-members-trying-to-stop-internet-bullying-20091001-gd71.html http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/09/30/house_members_seek_ways_to_stop_internet_bullying/ http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/house-members-seek-ways-to-stop-internet-bullying-1.1489953?localLinksEnabled=false ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** A better way to sink internet pirates by Billy Bragg Last week the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) convened a meeting of artists at Air Studios in London with the intention of seeking common ground on the issue of what to do about illegal filesharing before the end of the government's consultation period, which has now closed. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/sep/30/internet-pirates-illegal-filesharing Britons say music costs too much - survey Three-quarters of Britons believe music is too expensive, according to a survey on Tuesday which showed most would be buy more if it were cheaper. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE58R5RV20090928 uk: Don?t cut off internet pirates, urge BT and Carphone Warehouse The two biggest internet service providers vowed yesterday to derail Lord Mandelson?s plans to disconnect persistent internet pirates. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article6854527.ece TalkTalk slams draconian clampdown on illegal music downloads Cutting off persistent online pirates risks penalising innocent people and will not curb filesharing, TalkTalk boss Charles Dunstone argued last night, echoing industry concerns about the government plans. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/sep/29/file-sharing-music-industry uk: Illegal internet downloaders may face connection slowdown People who persistently download music illegally may have their internet connections slowed rather than cut off. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article6853097.ece au: AFACT retreat reveals ignorance: iiNet A group of entertainment companies conducting a landmark copyright claim against iiNet in the NSW federal court has withdrawn part of its case against the internet service provider. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,26146662-15306,00.html Film studios drop more of iiNet case The Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft's (AFACT) legal action over iiNet's alleged breach of copyright took a further watering down today as the film studios removed the "primary" copyright infringement claim. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Film-studios-drop-more-of-iiNet-case/0,130061791,339298839,00.htm Studios tighten iiNet copyright claim [sub req'd] Hollywood film studios have dropped part of their copyright infringement claim against internet service provider (ISP) iiNet less than a week before the Federal Court is due to hear the landmark legal case. http://www.afr.com/home/login.aspx?EDP://20091001000031612010 US Lawmakers eye bill to make P2P file-sharing safer The House Committee on Commerce and Energy will hold a markup hearing Wednesday on a bill designed to make it safer for consumers to use peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing software. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9138659/Lawmakers_eye_bill_to_make_P2P_file_sharing_safer ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Aussies call an end to just phoning on mobiles Using mobiles for just calls and texting is a thing of the past, as a third of Australians now check emails on their handsets and more than 70 per cent access mobile entertainment and information services. http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/aussies-call-an-end-to-just-phoning-on-mobiles-20090929-ga33.html http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/aussies-call-an-end-to-just-phoning-on-mobiles-20090929-ga33.html Foreign Airlines Ahead of U.S. on Mobile Phone Use Cellphone use on airplanes, it would seem, is on extended hold in the United States. The national union representing flight attendants wants Congress to ban in-flight phone calls, and survey after survey of airline passengers shows strong opposition to allowing cellphones on planes. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/technology/29phones.html Apple passes 2 billion app downloads Apple Inc said on Monday that downloads from its iTunes applications store had passed 2 billion and that it now has more than 85,000 apps available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE58R2PS20090928 http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-42761520090928 Data both blessing and curse for mobile telecoms [Reuters] "Dongle" may sound a bit goofy, but the innocent-seeming technology is emerging as one of the biggest challenges to the mobile telecoms industry in coming years. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE58S01C20090929 http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-42771420090929 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/28/AR2009092803490.html ********************** SPAM ********************** Auburn tops list of Australia's most spammed suburbs Auburn is the most spammed suburb in Australia, according to a new security report. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/auburn-tops-list-of-most-spammed-suburbs-20090928-g99m.html http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/security/auburn-tops-list-of-most-spammed-suburbs-20090928-g99m.html Who buys the products advertised in spam emails? There's one obvious cause, not often discussed, of all that spam informing us that hot women are desperately waiting for a sexually-charged encounter with us in Thornton Heath (they're not, believe me, I've checked). No amount of anti-spam technology can help, either. It's simply down to the people who insist on buying the products advertised and thus make spamming financially viable. While I'm sure the readers of this newspaper aren't the culprits, somewhere out there are a smattering of people desperate to get hold of some Viagra, but only when someone offers it to them via a poorly-spelt email. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/rhodri-marsden-who-buys-the-products-advertised-in-spam-emails-1795009.html ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** au: 'Sinister' Integral Energy virus outbreak a threat to power grid A virus outbreak is wreaking havoc with Integral Energy's computer network, forcing it to rebuild all 1000 of its desktop computers before the "particularly sinister" bug spreads to the machines controlling the power grid. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/sinister-integral-energy-virus-outbreak-a-threat-to-power-grid-20091001-gdrx.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/security/sinister-integral-energy-virus-outbreak-a-threat-to-power-grid-20091001-gdrx.html The anti-virus software that's modelled on ants For most people, the reaction to discovering that your computer has a bug is to throw your hands in the air, swear and call a friend. That might be about to change, now that US researchers have discovered a fresh approach to computer security that takes real-life bugs as its inspiration. Their idea? Hordes of "digital ants" that find and destroy viruses and computer worms on your PC. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/sep/30/anti-virus-software-ants Online thieves step up bank raids Cyber-criminals have developed sophisticated ways to remain undetected, a new report finds. The report, from security firm Finjan, describes how one gang, based in the Ukraine, stole ?300,000 (?269,000) in 22 days. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8271384.stm Australian ISPs force rewrite of law Internet lobbyists have forestalled a law that could turn internet service providers into online sheriffs. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,26137600-15306,00.html Geeks earn $4600 a day selling penis pills online Thousands of tech-savvy Eastern Europeans are earning up to $US4000 (A$4600) a day for each spam campaign selling illegal penis pills, fake anti-virus software and counterfeit luxury products. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/geeks-earn-4600-a-day-selling-penis-pills-online-20090928-g8sc.html Secret Service probes Obama assassination poll on Facebook The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a poll posted on Facebook asking people to vote on whether President Barack Obama should be assassinated. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9138632/Secret_Service_probes_Obama_assassination_poll_on_Facebook http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/092809-secret-service-probes-obama-assassination.html Facebook forced to yank Obama kill poll [AFP] The US Secret Service is trying to identify the people who launched an online poll at Facebook asking whether US President Barack Obama should be assassinated. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/facebook-forced-to-yank-obama-kill-poll-20090929-g9x0.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/facebook-yanks-poll-asking-whether-to-kill-obama-20090929-ga05.html ************************** PRIVACY ************************** Virtual eye in the sky sparks stalker fears Privacy groups are aghast at early plans to make virtual maps so realistic that individual humans could be spotted and tracked. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/29/2699274.htm ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** TV broadcasters need new internet laws [sub req'd] Traditional television broadcasters will need legal reform in order to take advantage of the government's $43 billion national broadband network, as experts warned yesterday that the Australian regulatory regime had fallen behind technological developments. http://www.afr.com/home/login.aspx?EDP://20090930000031609064 Aussie Pirate Party plans election onslaught After winning 7.1 per cent of Swedish votes in this year's European Parliament elections, The Pirate Party has opened up a branch in Australia and plans to contest the next federal election. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/aussie-pirate-party-plans-election-onslaught-20090930-gbvd.html Pirate Party to contest next Federal election The political party that sent European copyright holders into a spin has opened a branch office in Australia and is recruiting office bearers and supporters. http://www.itnews.com.au/News/156960,pirate-party-to-contest-next-federal-election.aspx Pirate Party storms Australia The Pirate Party, which champions issues such as intellectual property rights, free speech and data privacy, is on its way to becoming an official party in Australia. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/soa/Pirate-Party-storms-Australia-/0,130061733,339298794,00.htm US Senators Plan Bill To Advance Net Neutrality Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D-N.D.) said in an interview Monday that he and Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) are considering legislation aimed at helping advance the adoption of new rules on net neutrality. Such a bill could be a timetable or deadline for the Federal Communications Commission to finish its rule-making process, said Dorgan, the senior member on the Commerce Committee. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2009/09/senators_plan_bill_to_advance.html ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** French phone operator hit by 24th suicide An epidemic of suicides in one of France's largest companies claimed another victim yesterday when a 51-year-old man threw himself from a bridge. He become the 24th France Telecom employee to take his own life in the past 19 months. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/french-phone-operator-hit-by-24th-suicide-1794715.html Suicides in France Put Focus on Workplace A recent spate of suicides at France T?l?com has revealed a paradox at the heart of French society: Even with robust labor protection, workers here see themselves as profoundly insecure, with many complaining about being pushed beyond their limits by the pace of economic change. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/business/global/30employ.html nz: Government should use tax to fund rural broadband rollout - telco lobby The government should use general taxation to raise money for its rural broadband initiative instead of taxing Telecommunications Industry Group (TIG) members, TIG CEO Rob Spray said. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/government-should-use-tax-fund-rural-broadband-rollout-telco-lobby-112077 Surf speed traps alert [sub req'd] The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued an information paper to remind telecommunications providers of the potential for flouting the Trade Practices Act when advertising mobile and wireless internet speeds. http://www.afr.com/home/login.aspx?EDP://20091001000031611998 ********************************** ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION ********************************** German police break up Internet child porn ring German police said Wednesday they had broken up an international child pornography network that exchanged pedophile images on the Internet and sexually abused children. http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE58T3ZM20090930 http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE58T40720090930 22 detained in Austria in global child porn sting [AP] An international investigation has netted 22 people suspected of belonging to a child pornography ring and identified 136 who could be involved, Austrian authorities said Wednesday. http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2009/09/30/11204756-ap.html http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/europe/view.bg?articleid=1201141 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (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 Oct 01 2009 - 06:09:04 UTC
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