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 *************************************************** Leaving ICANN, off to greener pastures by Kieren McCarthy http://kierenmccarthy.com/2009/10/15/leaving-icann-off-to-greener-pastures/ DENIC eG Eases Domain Guidelines http://www.denic.de/en/denic-in-dialog/news/2413.html One & two letter .DE domains available soon as DENIC abolishes many restrictions http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=9373 http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/10/19/one-two-letter-de-domains/ fr: The Consultative Committees outline AFNIC's 2010 action plan http://www.afnic.fr/actu/nouvelles/231/the-consultative-committees-outline-afnic-s-2010-action-plan WIPO Marks 10th Anniversary of UDRP (PR/2009/613) http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2009/article_0045.html Ten Years of UDRP by Elisa Cooper http://www.circleid.com/posts/20091016_ten_years_of_udrp/ ********************** RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** Cyberdeterrence and Cyberwar by Martin C. Libicki The protection of cyberspace, the information medium, has become a vital national interest because of its importance both to the economy and to military power. An attacker may tamper with networks to steal information for the money or to disrupt operations. Future wars are likely to be carried out, in part or perhaps entirely, in cyberspace. It might therefore seem obvious that maneuvering in cyberspace is like maneuvering in other media, but nothing would be more misleading. Cyberspace has its own laws; for instance, it is easy to hide identities and difficult to predict or even understand battle damage, and attacks deplete themselves quickly. Cyberwar is nothing so much as the manipulation of ambiguity. The author explores these in detail and uses the results to address such issues as the pros and cons of counterattack, the value of deterrence and vigilance, and other actions the United States and the U.S. Air Force can take to protect itself in the face of deliberate cyberattack. http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG877/ Bad Faith in Cyberspace: Grounding Domain Name Theory in Trademark, Property and Restitution by Jacqueline D. Lipton [Harvard Journal of Law and Technology] Abstract: The year 2009 marks the tenth anniversary of domain name regulation under the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) and the UDRP. Adopted to combat cybersquatting, these rules left a confused picture of domain name theory in their wake. Early cybersquatters registered Internet domain names corresponding with others? trademarks to sell them for a profit. However, this practice was quickly and easily contained. New practices arose in domain name markets, not initially contemplated by the drafters of the ACPA and the UDRP. One example is clickfarming ? using domain names to generate revenues from click-on advertisements. To avoid trademark liability, most clickfarmers and cybersquatters utilize personal names, geographic and cultural indicators, and generic terms as domain names. The application of current regulations to these practices is unclear, largely because of the lack of a coherent policy basis for domain name regulation. This article develops a new model for domain name regulation. It incorporates trademark policy within a broader theoretical framework incorporating aspects of restitution and property theory. The author suggests that a broader theoretical approach to domain name regulation would facilitate the development of more coherent domain name rules in the future. This discussion is particularly timely in light of the forthcoming implementation of a new gTLD application process. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1484763 ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Public Comment: Amendment for Partial Bulk Transfer in dot-COM & dot-NET ICANN is opening a 30 day public comment period on a proposed amendment from VeriSign to Appendix 7 of the dot-COM and dot-NET Registry Agreements. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-16oct09-en.htm Kieren McCarthy Leaving ICANN Kieren McCarthy announced on his own blog that he will leaving ICANN on November 25th. According to his blog post he?s got many items on his todo list, some related to his Sex.com book and new business ideas. http://www.domainnamenews.com/up-to-the-minute/kieren-mccarthy-leaving-icann/6335 Leaving ICANN, off to greener pastures by Kieren McCarthy I am leaving my job as general manager of public participation for ICANN on 25 November. http://kierenmccarthy.com/2009/10/15/leaving-icann-off-to-greener-pastures/ Borde-nough: That?s not the way the world works: Barack Obama can?t always get an ?A? ?Tis the season for papers and, at Brandeis, ?tis also the season for complaining about grades. This school introduced me to the notion that when an instructor puts a grade other than ?A? on a student?s work, he has not actually assigned a grade. Instead, the instructor has knocked a chip off the student?s shoulder and challenged him or her to engage in an argument about the grade. ... With this agreement, ICANN, as this body is better known, takes a long step in the direction of replacing the government as the body that coordinates and administers the Internet. http://thehoot.net/articles/6760 Bad Actors Largely Unchecked in Cybercrime Efforts Despite ongoing efforts to improve international law enforcement in the arena of cybercrime, the groups and individuals at the top of the electronic criminal food chain are not being stopped, or even slowed down, experts contend. ... Unfortunately, while experts like Lanstein have been calling for such action for years, government policy makers and Web regulators like ICANN haven't made fighting cyber crime enough of a priority to have any substantive affect. http://securitywatch.eweek.com/malware/bad_actors_largely_unchecked_in_cybercrime_efforts.html ICANN Board Requests Expedited GNSO Feedback on IPC and URS We recently noted that the third version of the Draft Applicant Guidebook for new gTLDs did not contain the Uniform Rapid Suspension policy and several other trademark protection mechanisms proposed by the Implementation Recommendation Team but instead left the final decision on these matters to ICANN?s Board, to be made after consultation with the GNSO. http://www.internetcommerce.org/ICANN_Requests_GNSO_Feedback Domain Registries Clarify Stance on Registry-Registrar Separation Domain registries have a lot to lose if registry/registrar separation ends with the introduction of new top level domain names. Representatives of several registries, including Afilias, Public Interest Registry, and Neustar, have sent a letter to ICANN?s board and CEO that says ICANN is misstating the registry constituency?s position on registry/registrar separation. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/10/16/domain-registries-clarify-stance-on-registry-registrar-separation/ The New Top Level Domain Software Problem I?ve written before about how new top level domain names might not work in software programs such as browsers and e-mail applications. But admittedly, I have little first hand knowledge of the problem. So it was good to see this post from Patrick Vande Walle, who works for one of the groups vying for .sport. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/10/15/the-new-top-level-domain-software-problem/ VeriSign Supports New TLDs? Of Course it Does. VeriSignChuck Gomes, VP of Policy and Compliance, Naming and Directory Services at VeriSign, wrote a post at CircleID about his company?s support of new top level domain names. This really shouldn?t come as a surprise to anyone in the industry for many reasons: http://domainnamewire.com/2009/10/15/verisign-supports-new-tlds-of-course-it-does/ Live Event Tonight!: "Civic Representation in ICANN: What Now?" ISOC-NY is hosting a forum, "Civic Representation in ICANN: What Now?," tonight at NYU's Warren Weaver Hall from 18:45-20:45 (EDT). IGP's Milton Mueller, consumer advocate Beau Brendler, and longtime ICANN participant Danny Younger will debate the ongoing GNSO reforms occurring at ICANN, and the possible structures for civil society participation in its policy making activities. You can watch the debate live here and join the discussion. http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2009/10/8/4345239.html BITS trains thirty SADC women on Unix Systems Administration ... Local sponsors included the University of Botswana, Botswana Internet Service Providers Association, the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology and Bemmtel Communications. International sponsors included AfNOG, the Internet Society (ISOC), ICANN and the Network Start-up Resource Centre (NSRC) in Oregon, USA. http://sundaystandard.info/news/news_item.php?NewsID=6022&GroupID=3 ICANN Orders Transfer of All Red Register Domains and Strikes More Registrars for Bad Behaviour ICANN has ordered all domain names registered at Red Registrar to be taken over by another domain name registrar after they were found to have violated several rules of the Registrar Accreditation Agreement. http://news.domainmonster.com/icann-redregister-bulk-transfer/ The meaning of domain name extensions Computers do not understand the "easy" names like www.google.com which we humans can understand. They have to translate these into IP addresses, which operate like phone numbers. Each computer on the Internet has it's own private number, which is not duplicated (except purposely by hackers and crackers) anywhere. Now as we understand the names the computer would read it backwards. On the Internet there are a few very important servers out there that keep master "telephone directories" of all the different domains on the Internet. http://www.helium.com/items/505215-the-meaning-of-domain-name-extensions ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** AuDA reformists spy board roles Australia's domain name regulator AuDA could find itself the subject of a radical boardroom shake-up after elections scheduled for Monday. At least two candidates [PDF] for the board hoped to be elected on reform policies that included a review of the role of the chief executive, currently held by Chris Disspain. http://www.itnews.com.au/News/158371,auda-reformists-spy-board-roles.aspx DENIC eG Eases Domain Guidelines DENIC will amend its Domain Guidelines with effect from 23 October 2009 and will thus abolish most of the restrictions currently applicable with regard to the registration of second level domains under the TLD .de. In doing so, the registry creates room for a large number of new domains. In future, also one- and two-digit domains as well as domain names composed exclusively of numerals will be allowed. http://www.denic.de/en/denic-in-dialog/news/2413.html One & two letter .DE domains available soon as DENIC abolishes many restrictions DENIC will allow the registration of one- and two-letter domain names as part of a reform of registration rules as of 23 October that will see most of the restrictions that currently exist abolished. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=9373 http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/10/19/one-two-letter-de-domains/ de: DENIC to release One and Two Letter Domain Names as of October 23rd, 2009 Following an order of a German court, forcing DENIC, the registry operator of the .DE ccTLD to register the two letter domain vw.de, DENIC has now announced that they will open up registration for almost all formerly restricted domains on October 23rd as of 9am CET. http://www.domainnamenews.com/cctlds/denic-release-letter-domain-names-october-23rd-2009/6333 Expanding Interpretation of UDRP Helps German Bank Win ?Domain Lottery? Despite being clearly limited in scope, the purpose of the UDRP continues to be ignored by experienced panelists. The result is an ever-expanding environment for domain disputes that exists completely far from any legislative or judicial oversight. http://www.domainnamenews.com/legal-issues/2bit-german-bank-wins-domain-lottery/6349 Germany to make some very cool new domain suffixes available. Grab them while they?re hot. Starting October, 23rd 9:00 CEST, Germany?s top level domain organization DENIC amends its Domain Guidelines and will thus abolish most of the restrictions currently applicable with regard to the registration of second level domains under the TLD .de. http://thenextweb.com/europe/2009/10/16/germany-making-cool-domain-suffixes-grab-hot/ Sedo to hold pre-release Auctions for newly released .DE names As per a comment on our post telling you about the release of fomerly restricted .DE domains, Sedo has now announced a pre-auction for those domains in conjunction with a number of unnamed registrar partners. The terms and conditions of the auction warrent a closer look. http://www.domainnamenews.com/up-to-the-minute/sedo-hold-prerelease-auctions-newly-released-de-names/6360 DENIC eG Eases Domain Guidelines ... DENIC will amend its Domain Guidelines with effect from 23 October 2009 and will thus abolish most of the restrictions currently applicable with regard to the registration of second level domains under the TLD .de. http://en.sourcews.com/denic-eg-eases-domain-guidelines The Tip of the Iceberg! Support the Upcoming .ECO Domain Space Today, over eight thousand blogs will unite for a single cause by writing to promote awareness of the threats and effects of climate change on the Earth. http://www.dotsauce.com/2009/10/15/support-eco-domains/ fr: The Consultative Committees outline AFNIC's 2010 action plan The Consultative Committee meetings held on 8 and 9 October 2009 were attended by User and Registrar members. The meetings enabled AFNIC to report on the progress of its current projects and determine the top priorities for 2010, which will be submitted to the Board of Directors next month for approval. http://www.afnic.fr/actu/nouvelles/231/the-consultative-committees-outline-afnic-s-2010-action-plan AFNIC To Relax Registration Rules? AFNIC, which runs the .fr registry, has published its Action Plan for 2010. While the "old chestnut" of DNSSEC is on the agenda (no surprise there!), there's also reference to a change in the registration rules. http://www.isquattedyour.eu/2009/10/12/afnic-to-relax-registration-rules/ Changes in procedural regulation of top-level .lt domain The procedural regulation of top-level .lt domain will be updated as of Nov. 1st of 2009. The main change is .lt domains pricing policy: since 2009-11-01 discounts policy (based on registrar domain count and growth) will no longer be used, instead same-price policy will be adopted. http://nic.lt/static/doc/public/regch-2009.pdf .nyc cyber struggle pits local pioneer vs. city and Koch, too New York City last week announced its plan to buy the .nyc top-level domain ? despite the fact that an East Village Internet guru says he invented .nyc, and that his company has owned it for the last 13 years. http://www.thevillager.com/villager_337/nycscberstruggle.html 21st CENTR Technical Workshop and RIPE 59 in Lisbon Last week was held in Lisbon two important conferences where was debated the most recent technology developments on the Internet in an International level. On the 4th of October occurred the 21st CENTR Technical Workshop in SanaMalhoa Hotel and from 5th to 9th of October took place the RIPE 59 in Hotel Corinthia. FCCN was present, contributing with several presentations particularly on the latest developments on DNSSEC .pt Project. https://online.dns.pt/dns_2008/do?com=DS;2217917768;111;+PAGE(4000002)+K-NOTICIA(1013)+K-CAT-CODIGO(LNH)+RCNT(1); Missing Dot Drops Sweden Off the Internet [Network World] What was essentially a typo last week resulted in the temporary disappearance from the Internet of almost a million Web sites in Sweden - every address with a .se top-level down name. http://www.cio.com/article/505181/Missing_Dot_Drops_Sweden_Off_the_Internet http://www.infoworld.com/d/networking/missing-dot-drops-sweden-internet-241 http://www.thestandard.com/news/2009/10/15/missing-dot-drops-sweden-internet http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9139441/Missing_dot_drops_Sweden_off_the_Internet ICM Registry (.xxx) Independent Review Documents Available The independent review of the ICM Registry bid for .xxx was held towards the end of September in Washington and the documents from this are now available online http://www.isquattedyour.eu/2009/10/14/icm-registry-xxx-independent-review-documents/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** New German government reaches key internet security agreements Christian Democrats (CDU) and Free Liberals (FDP) reached key agreements on internet security Thursday evening. The controversial block on child porn websites will be lifted and new rules will affect police powers. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4794080,00.html ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** WIPO Marks 10th Anniversary of UDRP (PR/2009/613) WIPO marked the tenth anniversary of the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) on October 12, 2009 with a conference that brought together over 200 stakeholders from around the world. The conference sought to take stock of the UDRP experience and draw lessons with a view to informing other processes relating to the future of the Domain Name System (DNS) and in the broader context of intellectual property. http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2009/article_0045.html Ten Years of UDRP by Elisa Cooper In 1999, ICANN developed a policy to resolve disputes between trademark owners and registrants of domain names. This policy, the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), set out procedures, rules and guidelines that govern the process whereby an aggrieved trademark owner could petition an appointed arbitrator or group of arbitrators to cancel the domain name registration or transfer the domain name back to the trademark owner based on the trademark owner's superior rights to the domain name and based upon the domain name registrant's bad faith. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20091016_ten_years_of_udrp/ WIPO Marks 10th Anniversary of UDRP WIPO marked the tenth anniversary of the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) on October 12, 2009 with a conference that brought together over 200 stakeholders from around the world. http://dkvartal.ru/ipprolaw/8044 Bosh's victory returns Internet names to celebs Think you can exploit Chris Bosh to make an easy buck? Well, you don't know squat. The Toronto Raptors forward won a final legal victory this week and claimed custody of approximately 800 Internet domain names that had been grabbed from athletes and celebrities. http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/10227428/Bosh Kentucky Domain Names in Court This Week The tenacious nature of the governor of Kentucky and his outsourced lawyers will again be at the centre of industry discussions this week as Governor Steve Beshear's attempt to confiscate 141 international domain names is once again heard in a law court. http://www.recentpoker.com/news/imega-4801.html Kentucky Online Gambling Domain Case Resumes Next Week The online gambling domain name case that has drawn attention from all across the US is reaching the top court in the state next week. The Kentucky Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments on why the online sites feel they were unjustly targeted. http://www.casinogamblingweb.com/gambling-news/gambling-law/kentucky_online_gambling_domain_case_resumes_next_week_54659.html ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** EU begins IPv6 rollout The European Network and Information Security Agency, Enisa, announced on Tuesday that it has become the first EU agency to begin offering services over version 6 of the Internet Protocol. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/0,1000000097,39807838,00.htm Next-gen IP kicks off in Europe Enisa, The European Network and Information Security Agency, announced this week it's the first EU agency to offer services using version 6 of the Internet Protocol. http://software.silicon.com/applications/0,39024653,39579960,00.htm FutureNet 2009: IPv6 coming, ready or not Although many businesses say they see no economic advantage to deploying IPv6 over their networks, several panelists at this year's FutureNet said that they soon may not have a choice. http://www.itworld.com/networking/67632/futurenet-2009-ipv6-coming-ready-or-not ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Asian TLDs bide their time on DNSSEC The Thai registry has adopted a new protocol that is touted to provide added security to the Internet's DNS, but its counterparts in the region are taking their time to test and ensure an effective ecosystem is in place before implementation. http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/security/0,39044215,62058672,00.htm Netcraft October 2009 Web Server Survey In the October 2009 survey, we received responses from 230,443,449 sites. Apache is responsible for more than 60% of this month's total growth of 4.3 million sites. http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2009/10/17/october_2009_web_server_survey.html Unknown 'Superpower' Hosts Dominate Internet Traffic, Study Says Something extraordinary is happening to the Internet. According to one of the largest analyses of traffic yet undertaken, what the world calls "the Internet" is rapidly turning into an entity that exists inside and between a tiny number of hosting superpowers. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/173862/.html ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Domain Experts Weigh In on the State of the Domain Market With all the changes in the economy and the world around us, it is important to consider the impact on the secondary domain market and where we are headed in the future? In this article we?ll review some of the developments we?re spotting on the Sedo marketplace and ask the experts to weigh in with their observations and expectations for the future. http://www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2508 Fixed Prices are the Future Want to sell more names? Sedo?s research has shown that domain portfolio owners sell 40% more domains, when they apply fixed pricing to their portfolio. Fixed pricing means applying a ?buy it now? (BIN), fixed price to each domain, which allows buyers to purchase domains without negotiating. The fastest growing band of domain buyers is the first/second time domain buyer, who has ?500-?5,000 to spend on domains. http://www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2507 Pharma Domains: the Industry's Next Booster Shot Your local pharmacy can offer you quick fixes for headaches and the common cold, as well as treatments for almost any condition. Yet, in an age of virtual connectivity, we?re turning to the internet for almost everything, including medical advice, tips for self-treatment, and even prescriptions. http://www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2511 Underdog Wins WIPO Domain Arbitration Case Concerning Parody Recently, a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) panelist issued a decision which refused to find bad faith in the use on a parody site of a domain name that was identical to the service mark of a conservative think tank. In Sutherland Institute v Continuative LLC the complainant, The Sutherland Institute, was a non-profit organization which describes itself as ?a conservative public policy think tank committed to shaping Utah law and policy based on a core set of governing principles.? http://www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2512 ********************** RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** OECD: Rethinking e-Government Services - User-Centred Approaches Expecting substantial savings and improved public services ? a trend further accentuated by the financial and economic crisis beginning in 2008 ? OECD countries have invested in the development of e-government services over the past 10-15 years. However, despite the initial exceptional take-up, governments later saw low adoption and low use of e-government services which are still far from satisfactory today. http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/display.asp?sf1=identifiers&st1=422009091P1 ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Web can help elderly surfers slow dementia Googling is good for grandparents. Internet use can boost the brain activity of the elderly, potentially slowing or even reversing the age-related declines that can end in dementia, researchers have found. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6879663.ece Teen net addicts at risk of mental health problems Obsessive use of the internet could create a mental-health epidemic, with up to 10 per cent of adolescents at risk, a Sydney academic warns. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/teen-net-addicts-at-risk-of-mental-health-problems-20091017-h275.html http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/2978688/ France Moves to Win Back Control of Content Like Asterix, the cartoon Gaul who resists the Romans with his pluck ? and a magic potion ? French publishers and news providers are cooking up original ways to fight the perceived threat of cultural domination by U.S. technology giants like Google and Amazon. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/business/global/19iht-cache19.html Next steps to ensure availability, take-up and effective use of communications services Ofcom today set out the next steps it will take to ensure availability, take-up and effective use of communications services following analysis which shows there is more to be done to achieve widespread access and inclusion across the UK. http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2009/10/nr_20091015a Google says worst of downturn is over Google on Thursday declared the worst of the recession over as it reported a surprisingly strong 8 per cent increase in net revenues in the latest quarter and earnings per share that were 10 per cent ahead of Wall Street?s expectations. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/17bc7acc-b9c8-11de-a747-00144feab49a.html Google Says Internet Advertising Picked Up Steam in Third Quarter Google Inc. shook off the recession and said its Internet advertising business picked up steam during the third quarter, as marketers began spending again. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107204574474822581549710.html Google delivers forecast-beating financial results Google, the internet giant, provided further signs of economic recovery today as it delivered a forecast-beating set of quarterly results and signalled plans to resume its policy of taking on staff. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/oct/15/google-announces-profits Brisk Ad Sales Spur Google in Third Quarter Consumers are loosening the grip on their wallets and advertisers are trying to get their attention ? at least on the Internet. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/16/technology/companies/16google.html Ofcom: Next steps to ensure availability, take-up and effective use of communications services [news release] Ofcom today set out the next steps it will take to ensure availability, take-up and effective use of communications services following analysis which shows there is more to be done to achieve widespread access and inclusion across the UK. http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2009/10/nr_20091015a Ofcom: Digital Participation Consortium launched today [news release] A new Consortium to promote Digital Participation in the UK will be launched today. The Consortium - launched by Ofcom Chairman Colette Bowe and Minister for Digital Britain Stephen Timms MP - aims to increase the reach, breadth and depth of digital technology use. It also aims to maximise digital participation and promote its economic and social benefits. http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2009/10/nr_20091015 Martha Lane Fox: fixing the holes in Britain's net Behind the desk where Martha Lane Fox works at the Digital Inclusion Task Force ? in an office right next door to Private Eye in Soho, London ? is a map with a handful of tags on it: blue, yellow, red. One set is labelled "Beacons"; another "Martha's visits"; the third, "Not-spots". It's a map of division, indicating how people are failing to join the computer revolution that has been sweeping through our lives for more than 20 years now ? driven by characters such as Sir Clive Sinclair, whose overriding ambition was to make computers affordable for everyone, and Chris Curry, whose Acorn Computers won the BBC Micro contract in 1982. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/oct/14/martha-lane-fox-interview Bing up marginally in September, Yahoo! slides [Relax News] Bing, Microsoft's new search engine, is making steady if unspectacular progress in its bid to wrest a bigger share of the lucrative US search and advertising market away from Google. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/bing-up-marginally-in-september-yahoo-slides-1803008.html comScore Releases September 2009 U.S. Search Engine Rankings [news release] comScore, Inc., a leader in measuring the digital world, today released its monthly comScore qSearch analysis of the U.S. search marketplace. In September 2009, Americans conducted 13.8 billion core searches, with Google Sites accounting for 64.9 percent search market share. Microsoft Sites grabbed 9.4 percent market share, representing a slight gain versus August. http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_releases/2009/10/comScore_Releases_September_2009_U.S._Search_Engine_Rankings Hong Kong Internet Users Spend Twice as Much Time on Instant Messengers as Counterparts in Asia-Pacific Region [news release] comScore, Inc., a leader in measuring the digital world, today released its first report on Web usage in Hong Kong. The report provided an overview of the most visited properties in Hong Kong and what activities captured the largest share of visitors? time online. Yahoo! Sites reigned as the most visited Web property in August, while Instant Messenger sites captured the largest share of visitors? minutes, accounting for nearly 16 percent of time spent online in Hong Kong. http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_releases/2009/10/Hong_Kong_Internet_Users_Spend_Twice_as_Much_Time_on_Instant_Messengers ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Social networking booming with doubling of online profiles The online social networking boom shows no signs of abating, with almost twice as many British internet users having an online profile than two years ago, helping to make Facebook the most viewed website in the UK, according to new research. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/oct/16/social-netwrkign-facebook-internet UK adult social networkers nearly double The number of British adults signing up to social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace has almost doubled in the last two years, according to new research from the country's communications watchdog. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE59E3CP20091015 http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-43188620091015 Facebook friends and survival of the twittest Demographer Bernard Salt writes he is always impressed by the academic work of evolutionary psychologists, who attribute human behaviour to survival skills. Over eons, humankind has evolved with an inbuilt sense of what is needed to survive, procreate and prosper. The most recent application of this thinking has been in the development of theories on the need for friends. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,,26210714-14741,00.html Twitter losing out to Facebook in the US Twitter is losing ground to Facebook in the US, as the social network nears 100 million unique monthly users, according to new figures. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/twitter/6325194/Twitter-losing-out-to-Facebook-in-the-US.html ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** New ITU standard opens doors for unified ?smart home? network - G.hn standard for wired home networking gets international approval ITU has approved a cutting-edge technical standard that will usher in new era in ?smart home? networking systems and applications. Called ?G.hn?, the new standard will enable service providers to deploy new offerings, including High Definition TV (HDTV) and digital Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), more cost effectively. It will also allow consumer electronics manufacturers to seamlessly network all types of home entertainment, home automation and home security products, and greatly simplify consumers? purchasing and installation processes. http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2009/46.html ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ fi: Safe Online on NRJ The Safer Internet Day takes part in the Finnish radio channel NRJ's Safe Online theme month, which will be launched on 5 October 2009. The campaign is directed to the young and their parents. http://www.ficora.fi/en/index/viestintavirasto/uutiset/2009/P_40.html uk: Child web safety course launched A national training course for parents which aims to keep their children safe on the internet has been unveiled by Newcastle University academics. The course is designed to help protect children from paedophiles and from cyber bullying on the internet. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/8313372.stm au: Internet Industry Association content filters updated The Australian Internet Industry Association is updating its Family Friendly Internet Filter list with new products after testing by Enex Testlab. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/322656/ au: Rudd to talk about Internet filtering Internet filtering is one of several topics The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, will discuss in a one-hour Web chat on Thursday, October 22. Up to 20 Web chat participants will be selected from people that have commented on the PM?s blog. http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/322592/ au: Teen was bullied before death, coroner hears A coronial inquest into the apparent suicide of a schoolboy on the New South Wales north coast has been told he was bashed at least twice in the days leading up to his death. ... The court heard the 14-year-old Kadina High School student was bashed at least twice in the days leading up to his death and was also a victim of cyber-bullying. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/19/2717856.htm au: Inquest for bullied suicide victim Alex Wildman Two days before 14-year-old Alex Wildman tragically took his own life, he was brutally attacked by another student in the grounds of his north-coast school. ... ?What is clear is that nasty things, hurtful things, were being said about Alex over the internet and these things can be described in these times as cyber bullying.? http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/inquest-for-bullied-suicide-victim-alex-wildman/story-e6freuy9-1225788367825 ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** 70% of Britons oppose internet ban for filesharers, poll shows Plans to force internet service providers (ISPs) to disconnect suspected illegal downloaders have been roundly rejected in a new YouGov poll, the first time public opinion has been tested on the issue. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/oct/18/public-poll-filesharers-internet-ban Australian ISPs stay hush hush on copyright breach notices Australian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are remaining tight lipped over the number of copyright breach notices they have received from copyright holders as the iiNet versus the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) case continues in the Federal Court of Australia. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/322142/ AFACT tactics have origins in 1975 UNSW library case Some of the legal issues at stake and the tactics employed by the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) in its civil case against Internet Service Provider iiNet in the Federal Court of Australia have their origins in a landmark copyright case involving the University of NSW library in 1975. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/322319/ China's Online Video Piracy Jumps to Internet TVs [IDG] Internet-linked televisions, many containing peer-to-peer download tools, are winning buyers in China despite piracy concerns and a battle between government factions over how to regulate the industry, according to analysts. http://www.pcworld.com/article/173787/.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Britain's airwaves to be auctioned to aid mobile broadband access The 20 per cent of the population denied mobile broadband access will stand a much better chance of being able to log on when the Government clears the way today for an auction of airwaves best suited to wireless data. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/telecoms/article6877152.ece Nokia Tries to Undo Blunders in U.S. Nokia, the Finnish company that is the world?s biggest maker of mobile phones, is an undisputed powerhouse in Europe, Asia and Latin America, with market shares regularly topping 30 percent. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/technology/companies/19nokia.html Radio waves may be dangerous, says French government A French government agency has warned that measures should be taken to reduce everyday exposure to radio signals, even though, it said, there is no definitive proof that such signals have a negative effect on human health. The French Agency for Environmental and Occupational Health Safety conducted a review of around 3,500 studies and publications. http://news.techworld.com/green-it/3204279/ ********************** SPAM ********************** Canadian marketers want anti-spam bill altered The Canadian Marketing Association is lobbying MPs to change an anti-spam bill so that consumers have to opt out of receiving commercial email messages, rather than opting in to get them. http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/10/16/marketers--email-spam-legislation.html Canadian Marketing Association Attacks Anti-Spam Bill by Michael Geist With the final Industry Committee review of C-27, Canada's anti-spam legislation, set for Monday afternoon, lobby groups have been increasing the pressure all week in an effort to water down many of the bill's key protections. Yesterday, the Canadian Marketing Association chimed in with an emergency bulletin to its members calling on them to lobby for changes to the bill. While the CMA was very supportive of the bill when it appeared before the committee in June, it now wants to kill the core protection in C-27 - a requirement for express opt-in consent. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20091016_canadian_marketing_association_attacks_anti_spam_bill/ Twitter cracks down on spam In its latest attempt to clean up the messages being sent across its site, Twitter is now letting users flag spammers by clicking a "report as spam" button on their profiles. Twitter says a team of employees will follow up on the reports. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2009/oct/14/twitter-fighting-spam ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** Twitter and The Guardian Untie a Gag Order Twitter has been credited with helping to organize political protests and shine a light on abuses around the world. At the same time, the ubiquitous service has been criticized for disrespecting the sanctity of once-private halls of deliberation ? whether a criminal jury?s chambers or an N.B.A. locker room. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/technology/internet/19link.html S'pore looking to improve online security The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is exploring ways to enhance security for online purchases, according to an industry player, who adds that dynamic authentication will be a good step toward that direction. http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/security/0,39044215,62058692,00.htm Australian judges have final decision on Twitter The Federal Court will leave it up to individual judges to decide whether to allow cases to be covered from within their courtrooms on new media platforms such as Twitter. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,26228749-15306,00.html Thou shalt not fleece: scammers target Christians in Australia Online romance scammers are trawling Christian websites in search of lonely hearts and generous souls to "suck the life out of". Law enforcers say an increasing number of Australians are falling victim to romance fraud, with an insidious new religious flavour that appeals to values of faith. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/security/thou-shalt-not-fleece-scammers-target-christians-20091015-gyp2.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/thou-shalt-not-fleece-scammers-target-christians-20091015-gyp2.html http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/2972403/ us: Online libel case stirs up free speech debate An Illinois politician's attempt to unmask the identity of an e-mail poster who allegedly made disparaging remarks about her teenage son in an online forum is stirring a debate about free speech rights on the Internet. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9139442/Online_libel_case_stirs_up_free_speech_debate http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/322450/ Fake security software in millions of computers - report Tens of millions of U.S. computers are loaded with scam security software that their owners may have paid for but which only makes the machines more vulnerable, according to a new Symantec report on cybercrime. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE59I09X20091019 http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-43254120091019 New German government reaches key internet security agreements Christian Democrats (CDU) and Free Liberals (FDP) reached key agreements on internet security Thursday evening. The controversial block on child porn websites will be lifted and new rules will affect police powers. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4794080,00.html ************************** PRIVACY ************************** Official says Einstein security system won't read e-mails Although a sophisticated system called Einstein 3 is in development to detect and prevent electronic attacks on federal civilian networks, a senior Homeland Security official gave assurances Wednesday that the department has no intention of reading contents of e-mails or other communications. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20091015_6734.php ALRC hails Government response to privacy recommendations The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) is claiming a win following the Federal Government?s decision to respond to 197 of its 295 recommendations for improving privacy protection. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/322282/ ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Google's e-book plan slammed as 'hysterical garbage' [AFP] "Garbage" and "hysterical propaganda" was one angry reaction at the world's biggest book fair this year when Google, the world's biggest internet search service, defended plans to turn millions of books into electronic literature available online. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/googles-ebook-plan-slammed-as-hysterical-garbage-20091019-h3ha.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/fury-in-frankfurt-at-googles-global-library-project-20091019-h35k.html Tories plan broadband, BBC changes - report The Conservatives would reverse government plans to make the BBC share ?130 million pounds of the television licence fee with other broadcasters, the shadow culture secretary told the Financial Times. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE59I05320091019 Call for rethink on data storage around the world The rules on the movement of electronic data around the world need an overhaul, according to a Microsoft executive. Many technology companies, including Microsoft, IBM and Yahoo, use vast data centres to run services over the internet and store data such as e-mail. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8308490.stm European Commission urges Ofcom to take stronger action on fixed termination rates The European Commission has called on the UK regulatory authority for telecommunications, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), to impose appropriate price control and non-discrimination obligations on all communication providers regarding their fixed termination rates (FTRs). http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1533 ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Forecast for Microsoft: Partly Cloudy Ray Ozzie, the chief software architect at Microsoft, bristles when asked whether people think that new versions of his company?s flagship software ? like Windows and Office ? are exciting. http://nytimes.com/2009/10/18/business/18msft.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (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 Sun Oct 18 2009 - 23:20:24 UTC
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