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 *************************************************** Five registrars on the ICANN naughty step http://domainincite.com/five-registrars-on-the-icann-naughty-step/ auDA Foundation Opens 2012 Funding Round http://blog.auda.org.au/2012/04/23/auda-foundation-opens-2012-funding-round/ Verisign Involved In Over 230 New gTLD Applications http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/27/verisign-230-gtld-applications/ ICANN's TAS Downfall Parodied http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/30/icanns-tas-downfall-parodied/ New gTLDs now a month behind schedule http://domainincite.com/new-gtlds-now-a-month-behind-schedule/ ANZUS cyber security message aimed at China [AAP] http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/422926/anzus_cyber_security_message_aimed_china/ US And UK Lead International Operation Seizing 36 Domains Engaged in Financial Fraud http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/27/international-operation-seizing-domains/ ********************** REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** Conflicts between Trademarks and Domain Names: A Critical Analysis by Snehlata Singh Abstract: The essay discusses the issue of conflicts between trademarks and domain names. It discusses in detail the causes and kinds of the disputes and what the current legal system has to offer to this situation. Conflicts such as cybersquatting, typosquatting, reverse domain name hijacking are discussed in length with the help of relevant case laws. http://ssrn.com/abstract=2045222 ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Global Internet Governance: From Multistakeholder To Autopilot In recent decades, far-reaching international cooperation has led to the development of global multistakeholder governance of the internet. While efforts to further enhance cooperative mechanisms are ongoing, one business leader with an inside track suggests that in a couple of decades, the internet will be governing itself. http://www.ip-watch.org/2012/04/27/global-internet-governance-from-multistakeholder-to-autopilot/ UN Moves on Internet Governance: Latest Dispatch by Gregory Francis Some unsettling plans declared themselves at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) this week as countries prepared for the up-coming treaty-making jamboree called the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT). http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120426_un_moves_on_internet_governance_latest_dispatch/ MacKinnon?s Consent of the Networked: A call for political innovation by Milton Mueller The best summary of Rebecca MacKinnon?s book Consent of the Networked is its subtitle: ?The worldwide struggle for Internet freedom.? This is a comprehensive, spirited, and rich journalistic account of the way the use of the Internet and its supply industries intersect with classic civil and political rights. http://www.internetgovernance.org/2012/04/25/mackinnons-consent-of-the-networked-a-call-for-political-innovation/ Geoff Huston inducted to Internet Hall of Fame APNIC congratulates Chief Scientist Geoff Huston on his recent induction to the Internet Society (ISOC) Hall of Fame. http://www.apnic.net/publications/news/2012/gih-hall-of-fame Australian Honoured in Inaugural Internet Hall of Fame The Internet Society of Australia is pleased to announce that Australia's Geoff Huston has been recognised amongst the international pioneers of the global Internet. http://www.isoc-au.org.au/Media/ISOC-AU_Aussie_in_Internet_Hall_of_Fame_20120423.pdf 2012 IGF MAG announced APNIC Director General Paul Wilson has been appointed to serve as a member of the 2012 Internet Governance Forum Multistakeholder Advisory Group (IGF MAG). http://www.apnic.net/publications/news/2012/igf-mag ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** TAS Interruption - Update (27 April 2012) by Akram Atallah, COO ICANN will notify all applicants within the next seven business days whether our analysis shows they were affected by the technical glitch in the TLD application system. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-27apr12-en.htm Period of 26 April - 06 May 2012: Public Comment Periods Approaching Closing Date The Following Public Comment periods are approaching their Comment or Reply Period Close dates, 26 April ? 06 May 2012. As a member of the ICANN community, your timely feedback is critical to our accountability and transparency efforts. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-26apr12-en.htm TAS Interruption - Update (26 April 2012) by Akram Atallah, COO ... We can confirm that when the application system reopens, users will be able to review their applications, including those already submitted, to assure themselves that their information remains as they intended. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-26apr12-en.htm Letter from Robert D. Liodice, President & CEO, to Rod Beckstrom Top Level Domain Application System http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/liodice-to-beckstrom-25apr12-en Five registrars on the ICANN naughty step ICANN has sent breach notices to five domain name registrars, including two owned by Epik and DomainTools, for failing to cooperate with a Whois accuracy audit. http://domainincite.com/five-registrars-on-the-icann-naughty-step/ An analysis of the new IANA contract [subscription] The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the IANA contract has been reissued, with no substantive changes to the meat of the requirements of the IANA function, but plenty of additional contractual clauses added to govern the organization that performs the function. http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/04/25/iana-reissue-analysis ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** auDA Foundation Opens 2012 Funding Round Today we have opened the 2012 Funding Round and are accepting applications that are received on or before 5.00pm AEST 25th May, 2012. http://blog.auda.org.au/2012/04/23/auda-foundation-opens-2012-funding-round/ Dot.ca manager doesn?t seem to trust Canadians by Michael Geist ... Yet just as CIRA begins to fulfill its potential as an ?important public resource? (as described in its mandate letter from the Government of Canada), it has proposed a new governance structure that seeks to sideline the public by limiting the ability to serve on the CIRA board. With more than a million registrants, CIRA is one of Canada?s largest Internet organizations and its message to members is clear: we don?t trust you. http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1169582--dot-ca-manager-doesn-t-seem-to-trust-canadians SWITCH celebrates 25 years of .ch The Swiss TLD .ch is 25 years old: it was in May 1987 that .ch was registered as the Swiss ending. This was the point at which the Internet in Switzerland came to life ? even before the World Wide Web had been invented. http://www.switch.ch/about/news/2012/25-jahre-punkt-ch.html http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/26/switch-25-years-of-ch/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/switch-celebrates-25-years-of-ch.html http://bx.businessweek.com/china-business/icann-issue-certificate-to-celebrate-25-years-of-ch-domain/15702573570716615860-0a06aecd475d86b57c591b951922e2c4/ CZ.NIC released DNSSEC Validator for Internet Explorer (version 0.1.1) CZ.NIC has released an alpha version of the DNSSEC Validator extension for Internet Explorer. http://www.nic.cz/ Minister Bruton launches IEDR ?100,000 OPTIMISE Fund for second year The IE Domain Registry (IEDR), the managed registry for Ireland?s official Internet address .ie, today announced it will extend its ?100,000 e-commerce website development fund, called OPTIMISE, for the second year running. http://www.iedr.ie/index.php/component/content/article/50-general/293-tuesday-24th-april-2012-minister-bruton-launches-iedr-100000-optimise-fund-for-second-year Nigeria?s Internet domain name manager convenes special AGM Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) is convening a special Annual General Meeting (AGM) following the review of the financial year of managers of the nation?s ccTLD, the .ng, to the January ? December cycle. http://www.technologytimesng.com/news/2012/04/nigerias-internet-domain-name-manager-convenes-special-agm/ .UK is 'A Great Place To Be' Following on from the recent achievement of reaching the 10 million .UK domain milestone, we are pleased to announce the launch of a new brand campaign for .UK. http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=9239 uk: Nominet working with stakeholders to review Registrar Agreement Against a backdrop of increasing stakeholder expectations, an expansion of the internet namespace, and a changing business landscape we have announced plans to review our .uk Registrar Agreement. http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=9240 ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** Goodlatte Bugged by New Domain Database Glitch The chairman of a key House Judiciary subcommittee Thursday warned the group that runs the Internet's domain name system that if it doesn't get the roll out of its new domain name program right, some countries may use it as an excuse to seek more regulation of the Internet. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/04/key-lawmaker-voices-concern-wi.php Verisign Involved In Over 230 New gTLD Applications Verisign has applied for 14 new gTLDs including 12 transliterations of .COM and .NET as well as being selected to provide back-end registry services for approximately 220 new gTLDs. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=17576 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/27/verisign-230-gtld-applications/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/verisign-involved-in-over-230-new-gtld-applications.html Verisign has 220 new gTLD clients Verisign is the appointed back-end registry operator for 220 new gTLD applicants, according to the company. http://domainincite.com/breaking-verisign-has-220-new-gtld-clients/ VeriSign is backend for 220 new TLD applicants and applies for 14 itself VeriSign released earnings today along with numbers related to its new TLD aspirations. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/04/26/verisign-is-backend-for-220-new-tld-applicants-and-applies-for-14-itself/ ICANN's TAS Downfall Parodied The 2004 German film Downfall on Hitler's demise has spurned a wide number of parodies with well over 100 videos now available online, mostly on YouTube. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=17603 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/30/icanns-tas-downfall-parodied/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/icanns-tas-downfall-parodied.html Hitler Finds Out ICANN's TAS Is Down The irrepressible ruler of the Reich finds out that the ICANN TLD Application System is indefinitely shut down. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=INS3vOXEL2M New gTLDs now a month behind schedule ICANN has announced yet another delay in its new gTLDs program. http://domainincite.com/new-gtlds-now-a-month-behind-schedule/ ICANN's TAS Woes To Continue For At Least One More Week ICANN's TAS woes continue with the re-opening of the TLD application system (TAS) still at least one week away. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=17604 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/30/icanns-tas-woes/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/icanns-tas-woes-to-continue-for-at-least-one-more-week.html ICANN more than a week away from opening TAS again ICANN?s online system for new TLD applications is likely more than a week away from opening up again. If that?s the case, that means we?re at least a couple weeks away from the application period concluding. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/04/27/icann-more-than-a-week-away-from-opening-tas-again/ Minds + Machines Will Host New dot Rugby gTLD Minds + Machines was chosen by the International Rugby Board to be the registry services provider for the new dot Rugby gTLD. TLDH, our parent company, will work with ROAR Domains to help with the administration of the gTLD, while Minds + Machines will provide backend registry services on its Espresso platform. http://www.mindsandmachines.com/2012/04/minds-machines-will-host-new-dot-rugby-gtld/ Minds + Machines Adds .BASKETBALL To Sporting Lineup Hot on the heels of announcing it was providing back-end registry support for the .RUGBY TLD, MINDS + Machines has added .BASKETBALL to its stable, having been appointed by FIBA, the world governing body for basketball, to provide back-end registry services the gTLD. http://www.domainnews.com/en/minds-machines-adds-basketball-to-sporting-lineup.html http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/30/minds-machines-basketball/ Internet naming board ICANN opens up new website suffixes for purchase THE world is about to experience a new land rush, this time online. The internet naming board ICANN has opened up new website suffixes for purchase leading global companies to consider the value of bespoke internet addresses that relate to their products. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/digital/internet-naming-board-icann-opens-up-new-website-suffixes-for-purchase/story-fna03wxu-1226342085006 Aremi Group applies for .art (and claims trademarks) Aremi Group is the latest to announce a formal application for a TLD, announcing that it has applied for .art. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/04/26/aremi-group-applies-for-art-and-claims-trademarks/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Q&A: Internet Systems Consortium founder, Paul Vixie When news of the domain name system (DNS)Changer malware broke in 2011, Internet Systems Consortium founder, Paul Vixie, was brought into the project by US law enforcement agencies as an advisor. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/423077/q_internet_systems_consortium_founder_paul_vixie/ Leveraging DNS for Subscriber Loyalty by Keith Oborn There has been a lot of talk about how the DNS can provide network-based security, and how DNS is in the best position to detect malware traffic before it does any harm. But what does this mean for end users? How does it make their online lives easier and more secure? DNS servers that are aware of sites that host malware, perform phishing activities (harvesting bank details, for instance) and other nefarious misbehaviors, can prevent end users from ever going to those sites. http://www.circleid.com/posts/leveraging_dns_for_subscriber_loyalty/ 'Obstinate' Conficker worm infests millions of PCs years later Microsoft yesterday said the long-suppressed Conficker botnet is still actively infecting millions of new machines, giving Windows enterprise users a two-and-a-half-year headache. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9226619/_Obstinate_Conficker_worm_infests_millions_of_PCs_years_later Most of the Internet's top 200,000 HTTPS websites are insecure, group says [IDG] Ninety percent of the Internet's top 200,000 HTTPS-enabled websites are vulnerable to known types of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) attack, according to a report released Thursday by the Trustworthy Internet Movement (TIM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to solving Internet security, privacy and reliability problems. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9226623/Most_of_the_Internet_39_s_top_200_000_HTTPS_websites_are_insecure_group_says http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/254546/most_of_the_internets_top_200000_https_websites_are_insecure_trustworthy_internet_movement_says.html NATO Faced with Rising Flood of Cyberattacks NATO cyberwarfare experts suspect that Chinese and Russian intelligence services are behind a recent uptick in cyberattacks against the Western alliance. SPIEGEL ONLINE has learned that NATO's cyberwarfare unit registers up to 30 such attacks each day. Employees have been warned to be on their guard. http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,829908,00.html US, Russia plan hotline to avoid cyber war [AAP] A hotline between the United States and Russia designed to defuse a nuclear conflict is likely to be expanded to cover the potential risk of a cyber war, The Washington Post says. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/423063/us_russia_plan_hotline_avoid_cyber_war/ ANZUS cyber security message aimed at China [AAP] The extension of the ANZUS alliance into cyberspace in 2011 was aimed at cyber attacks from China, a new study says. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/422926/anzus_cyber_security_message_aimed_china/ http://afr.com/p/national/anzus_cyber_security_message_aimed_RQ106VXE1hMjxe5Eq3I9RP ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** When He Said-She Said Turns into Reverse Domain Name Hijacking The real story in HTL Automotive, Inc. v. Techshire, may be the one about a law firm that doesn't know when to say "no" to its clients. The spectacular failure of the complaint here provides yet another lesson to brand owners on why it's so important to hire experienced and competent UDRP counsel. http://www.domainnamestrategy.com/2012/04/23/when-he-said-she-said-turns-reverse-domain-name-hijacking-0 Mimicking a company?s whois record to hide a cybersquatting domain I was going through my daily check of notable domain name transfers when I came across something curious. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/04/26/mimicking-a-companys-whois-record-to-hide-a-cybersquatting-domain/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Beware of IPv6 security goblins, IETF warns With World IPv6 Day just six weeks away, security consultants are once again warning that networks transitioning to the Internet's next-generation addressing scheme face serious risks unless they modify their defenses to accommodate the changes. http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2012/04/beware-of-ipv6-security-goblins-ietf-warns.ars ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** US And UK Lead International Operation Seizing 36 Domains Engaged in Financial Fraud US And UK government authorities have seized 36 domain names as a result of Operation Wreaking hAVoC in a day of action Wednesday to target online criminals engaged in financial fraud. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=17587 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/27/international-operation-seizing-domains/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/us-and-uk-lead-international-operation-seizing-36-domains-engaged-in-financial-fraud.html UK, US seize 36 domains tied to financial fraud British and US authorities have moved to seize 36 domain names associated with websites being used to traffic in stolen payment card data. The UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) said in a release issued today that the sites used Automated Vending Carts, a type of Web e-commerce software that allowed criminals to rapidly sell large volumes of credit card and banking account data. http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2012/04/uk-us-seize-36-domains-tied-to-financial-fraud.ars US Seizes 36 Websites Dealing In Stolen Credit Cards The Justice Department said the U.S. government has seized 36 domain names of websites that illegally sold and distributed stolen credit card numbers, part of an international effort to protect consumers' personal information on the Internet. http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120426-721698.html Cops seize 36 carder domains The FBI and UK Serious Organised Crime Agency have seized 36 domain names that were allegedly being used to sell compromised credit card information. http://domainincite.com/cops-seize-36-carder-domains/ Federal Courts Order Seizure of 36 Website Domains Involved in Selling Stolen Credit Card Numbers Seizure orders have been executed against 36 domain names of websites engaged in the illegal sale and distribution of stolen credit card numbers, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department?s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride of the Eastern District of Virginia and Acting Executive Assistant Director Kevin Perkins of the FBI?s Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Branch, announced today. http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2012/April/12-crm-544.html Web domains seized in international operation to target online fraudsters 36 website domains, used to sell compromised card data, have been taken down following a day of action on Wednesday to target online criminals by SOCA working with the FBI and US Department of Justice. http://www.soca.gov.uk/news/446-web-domains-seized-in-international-operation-to-target-online-fraudsters 3 top domain registrars offering .com domains for under $3 I?ve written before about how Go Daddy, Network Solutions, and Register.com offer discounted registrations in Google ads for the term ?domain name?. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/04/26/3-top-domain-registrars-offering-com-domains-for-under-3/ Newbie domain registrant discovers Whois, has Twitter meltdown The need for the domain name industry to enforce accurate Whois is often cited by law enforcement and intellectual property interests as a consumer protection measure. http://domainincite.com/newbie-domain-registrant-discovers-whois-has-twitter-meltdown/ ********************** - WEBHOSTING ********************** House Passes CISPA, Privacy Concerns May Cause US Hosting Customers to Look Elsewhere The US House of Representatives passed the Cyber Information Sharing and Protection Act on Thursday by a vote of 248 to 168, giving the government authority to share cyber threat information with companies. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/house-passes-cispa-privacy-concerns-may-cause-us-hosting-customers-to-look-elsewhere Web Hosting Sales and Promos Roundup ? April 27, 2012 In the week ending on April 27, 2012, EuroDNS is offering .CH registration for ?7.99, IXWebHosting is offering 20 percent off its hosting, KnownHost is offering 75 percent off the first month of its VPS plans, and CrocWeb is offering 50 percent off its Litespeed-powered reseller hosting plans. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/web-hosting-sales-and-promos-roundup-april-27-2012 ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Bloomberg and Reuters Feature Domain Name Price Index Created with Sedo Market Data The largest Internet domain name marketplace and monetization provider, Sedo, today announced that Bloomberg and Reuters have added IDNX, the industry?s leading domain price index, to the financial markets covered on their respective Web sites. This validates the economic relevance and investment potential of domain names, and makes the domain market more transparent for investors. https://sedo.com/presse/presse.php?tracked=&partnerid=&language=us&id=455 Bloomberg & Reuters Publish IDNX Domain Name Index Good news for domain investors: Leading financial organizations Bloomberg and Reuters have added IDNX, the first scientific grade price index for the domain market, to their websites. https://sedo.com/us/news/3014/Bloomberg-&-Reuters-Publish-IDNX-Domain-Name-Index/ New Domain Sales App Reveals Domain Name and Website Sales Figures Australian Internet pioneers Kikabink have launched a new iPhone App called Domain Sales, with promises of an Android app to come (no word on a Windows Phone app though). The app provides access to more than 72,000 historical domain and website sales, enabling people to review sales prices and value domain names. http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/26/new-domain-sales-app-reveals-domain-name-and-website-sales-figures/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/new-domain-sales-app-reveals-domain-name-and-website-sales-figures.html How To Make Money With Domain Names Domain names are hot commodities in today's tech-centric world. The $16 million sale of 'insure.com' to Quinstreet in 2009 may have set the world record, but even lengthier domain names are routinely sold for hundreds of dollars every day. The result is a unique opportunity for investors to invest in domain names that can be sold for a profit in the future. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/04/26/investopedia80521.DTL Opening Day Photos and Highlights from the Domaining Europe 2012 Conference The Domaining Europe 2012 conference officially got underway Thursday afternoon (April 26) at 4pm (local time) in Valencia, Spain. That left time for the many attendees who had already arrived in town time for a full day of sight seeing before returning to the Hotel Soralla Palace for the show's opening session. http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2012/dailyposts/20120427.htm Photos and Highlights From Day 2 Friday and Closing Day Saturday at Domaining Europe 2012 in Valencia, Spain (and Why I Will Go Home from Europe With No Hair!) The Domaining Europe 2012 conference ended Saturday evening (April 28) in Valencia, Spain with the 4th event in this series winning rave reviews from every attendee we spoke to. The sell out crowd came from 23 different countries around the world. http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2012/dailyposts/20120429.htm Sedo and .ME Registry Partner To Auction Premium .ME Domains Sedo, the leading online domain marketplace and monetization provider, today announced an exclusive auction of premium .ME domain names. http://www.domain.me/sedo-and-me-registry-partner-to-auction-premium-me-domains https://sedo.com/presse/presse.php?tracked=&partnerid=&language=us&id=457 ********************** REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** OECD: Measuring the Broadband Bonus in Thirty OECD Countries This paper provides estimates of the economic value created by broadband Internet using measures of new gross domestic product and consumer surplus. The study finds that the economic value created in 30 OECD countries correlates roughly with the overall size of their broadband economies. http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/science-and-technology/measuring-the-broadband-bonus-in-thirty-oecd-countries_5k9bcwkg3hwf-en ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** The Digital (Gender) Divide: Women Are More Likely Than Men to Have a Blog (and a Facebook Profile) When it comes to the demographic discrepancies of social media usage, we tend to think primarily about age. Young people, we assume, are Facebook addicts; older people, we assume, are Facebook-phobes. And while generational divisions have represented, and continue to represent, a primary division in the way Americans use social media, there's another important factor, as well: gender. http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/04/the-digital-gender-divide-women-are-more-likely-than-men-to-have-a-blog-and-a-facebook-profile/256466/ ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** cn: Companies to cash in on social media expansion China has the largest and most active population of social media users, and that has created unique opportunities for companies hoping to engage with a vast and increasingly affluent market, a new McKinsey study has found. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-04/27/c_131554843.htm Study: Social media influence on purchases strongest in China China's social media usage continues to grow exponentially, and with it, the growth of the local e-commerce industry which is set to surpass that of the United States by 2015. However, companies in China still face challenges harnessing the use of social media to influence buying decisions of consumers in their favor. http://www.zdnetasia.com/study-social-media-influence-on-purchases-strongest-in-china-62304646.htm ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** Has the internet run out of ideas already? The internet has delivered much, but now seems in a state of inventive stasis Earlier this year, American legal scholar Tim Wu published a sobering book: The Master Switch: The Rise and Fall of Information Empires. In it, he surveyed the history of the great communications technologies of the 20th century ? the telephone, movies, broadcast radio and TV. And in the story of each of these technologies, Wu discerned a pattern ? "a typical progression of information technologies: from somebody's hobby to somebody's industry; from jury-rigged contraption to slick production marvel; from a freely accessible channel to one strictly controlled by a single corporation or cartel ? from open to closed system. It is a progression so common as to seem inevitable, though it would hardly have seemed so at the dawn of any of the past century's transformative technologies, whether telephony, radio, television or film." http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/apr/29/internet-innovation-failure-patent-control ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* We need to talk about porn The growth of internet sex sites is fuelling parental fears of children exposed to porn. So what's the real effect of an adolescence spent watching sex online? http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/we-need-to-talk-about-porn-7685283.html Should Cyberbullying Be a Crime? Schools throughout New York are preparing to put a new curriculum in place that will teach students civility and tolerance, to comply with new legislation intended to cut down on bullying. http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/04/27/should-cyberbullying-be-a-crime/ Victims of cyberbullying fight back in lawsuits [AP] When a Georgia middle school student reported to police and school officials that she had been bullied on Facebook, they told her there was not much they could do because the harassment occurred off campus. http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-04/D9UD9QQ00.htm http://www.chron.com/living/article/Victims-of-cyberbullying-fight-back-in-lawsuits-3513480.php us: Teen sues over Facebook bullying A teenager in Georgia has decided to take things into her own hands after her school and police said they could do nothing about the classmates bullying her on Facebook. http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2012/04/teen-sues-over-facebook-bullying.ars Will 'emoticon defense' disprove cyberbullying? Even if three Indiana girls were just kidding around and used emoticons and LOLs when they discussed killing classmates on Facebook, their talk still could be considered cyberbullying if it inflicted emotional harm, experts say. http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-04/D9UDDHHG2.htm uk: Online porn: Now Labour joins battle for automatic ban on Internet giants 'exploiting children' Labour last night threw its weight behind the Daily Mail?s campaign for an automatic block on online porn. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2135835/Online-porn-Now-Labour-joins-battle-opt-adult-material.html Facebook's free Anti-virus Marketplace targets malware Facebook has launched Anti-Virus Marketplace - a new portal to protect the social network's users. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-17860837 Norton and Facebook Partner to Make the Web Safer Norton by Symantec and Facebook announced a partnership to help protect Facebook users and make the web a safer place to connect with friends and family. http://www.symantec.com/about/news/release/article.jsp?prid=20120425_02 ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** au: Federal Court has found Optus breached copyright law in broadcasting near live AFL, NRL matches The AFL and Rugby League have scored a major victory in their fight to secure hundreds of millions in internet broadcasting rights, after a Federal Court of Appeal ruling this morning found Optus breached copyright law in broadcasting near live matches on the internet and hand held devices. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/the-federal-court-has-found-optus-breached-copyright-law-in-broadcasting-near-live-afl-nrl-matches/story-e6frg996-1226340533926 Telstra, AFL, NRL win live footy court battle Telstra, the NRL and AFL have won their appeal against Optus's online broadcasting of Australian football and rugby league games, re-establishing Telstra's role as the nation's dominant online sports broadcaster. http://www.smh.com.au/business/telstra-afl-nrl-win-live-footy-court-battle-20120427-1xoth.html http://www.theage.com.au/business/telstra-afl-nrl-win-live-footy-court-battle-20120427-1xoth.html Optus suspends TV Now, experts weigh in While Optus has suspended the TV Now recording service in light of the adverse court ruling today, experts are divided on whether the ruling impacts cloud storage and recording services. http://www.zdnet.com.au/optus-suspends-tv-now-experts-weigh-in-339336769.htm Optus suspends TV Now service Optus has suspended its controversial recording service ?TV Now? indefinitely after an emphatic ruling against it in Sydney?s Federal Court that has been welcomed by the NRL, AFL and Telstra. http://afr.com/p/technology/optus_suspends_tv_now_service_xIDTPvTZp3tsM4IlRW9yzI ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** 'No evidence' of mobile phone cancer risk There is still "no convincing evidence" that mobile phones can adversely affect human health, according to a major new report released today. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/no-evidence-of-mobile-phone-cancer-risk-7679153.html Why Mobile Data Is Such a Cash Cow for Carriers Verizon and AT&T reported their quarterly earnings in the last week, and they told nearly identical stories: Both are making a lot of money just from mobile data ? the fees customers pay to reach the Internet over their networks. Some numbers shared by AT&T make it clear why. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/26/mobile-data-cash-cow/ Google's early Android expectations revealed in 2010 presentation An internal presentation given in 2010 by Google's Android boss Andy Rubin has provided some fascinating details on the company's expectations for its smartphone and tablet OS. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/appsblog/2012/apr/26/google-android-expectations Samsung Beats Nokia in Handset Market in Q1, Say Research Firms [IDG] Samsung beat Nokia to the top position in the global handset market in the first quarter of 2012, research firms Strategy Analytics and IHS iSuppli said Friday. http://www.pcworld.com/article/254582/samsung_beats_nokia_in_handset_market_in_q1_say_research_firms.html Samsung overtakes Nokia in mobile phone shipments Samsung Electronics has overtaken Nokia to become the world's largest maker of mobile phones, according to research firm Strategy Analytics. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17865117 ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** Who owns your stuff in the cloud? Terms for keeping your data on companies' Web data storage services vary, and you need to understand them before clicking 'Agree' As more people look to the cloud for digital storage, such as the recently unveiled Google Drive, the era of being able to mindlessly click "OK" or "Agree" may be over. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-tech-savvy-cloud-services-20120426,0,3241271.story au: Google seeks leave to appeal ad ruling Web search company Google is asking the High Court to overturn a finding that it published misleading and deceptive advertisements, in a case that has big ramifications for online advertising. http://www.afr.com/p/technology/google_seeks_leave_to_appeal_ad_3cS4ERx2l2hKqJ47PDMvAM ********************** SECURITY ********************** 'Obstinate' Conficker worm infests millions of PCs years later Microsoft yesterday said the long-suppressed Conficker botnet is still actively infecting millions of new machines, giving Windows enterprise users a two-and-a-half-year headache. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9226619/_Obstinate_Conficker_worm_infests_millions_of_PCs_years_later Most of the Internet's top 200,000 HTTPS websites are insecure, group says [IDG] Ninety percent of the Internet's top 200,000 HTTPS-enabled websites are vulnerable to known types of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) attack, according to a report released Thursday by the Trustworthy Internet Movement (TIM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to solving Internet security, privacy and reliability problems. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9226623/Most_of_the_Internet_39_s_top_200_000_HTTPS_websites_are_insecure_group_says http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/254546/most_of_the_internets_top_200000_https_websites_are_insecure_trustworthy_internet_movement_says.html NATO Faced with Rising Flood of Cyberattacks NATO cyberwarfare experts suspect that Chinese and Russian intelligence services are behind a recent uptick in cyberattacks against the Western alliance. SPIEGEL ONLINE has learned that NATO's cyberwarfare unit registers up to 30 such attacks each day. Employees have been warned to be on their guard. http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,829908,00.html US, Russia plan hotline to avoid cyber war [AAP] A hotline between the United States and Russia designed to defuse a nuclear conflict is likely to be expanded to cover the potential risk of a cyber war, The Washington Post says. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/423063/us_russia_plan_hotline_avoid_cyber_war/ ANZUS cyber security message aimed at China [AAP] The extension of the ANZUS alliance into cyberspace in 2011 was aimed at cyber attacks from China, a new study says. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/422926/anzus_cyber_security_message_aimed_china/ http://afr.com/p/national/anzus_cyber_security_message_aimed_RQ106VXE1hMjxe5Eq3I9RP ********************** PRIVACY ********************** Companies Raise Concerns Over Google Drive?s Privacy Protections A number of companies are raising concerns about what Google says it can do with documents stored on the new Google Drive online storage service. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/25/companies-raise-concerns-over-google-drives-privacy-protections/ Data Harvesting at Google Not a Rogue Act, Report Finds Google?s harvesting of e-mails, passwords and other sensitive personal information from unsuspecting households in the United States and around the world was neither a mistake nor the work of a rogue engineer, as the company long maintained, but a program that supervisors knew about, according to new details from the full text of a regulatory report. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/technology/google-engineer-told-others-of-data-collection-fcc-report-reveals.html Full FCC report on Google Street View reveals new details The Google engineer who wrote the code enabling Street View cars to capture data from unprotected wireless networks told fellow engineers and a manager that he had done so, the FCC report says. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-google-probe-20120429,0,7046776.story European Regulator Warns Silicon Valley About Privacy The European data protection supervisor, Peter Hustinx, on Thursday urged technology companies to ?innovate? in the area of consumer privacy, saying that lawmakers on the continent would press ahead on a contentious proposed law that would, in part, compel companies to pare down the personal data kept in their digital vaults. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/26/european-regulator-warns-siliconvalley-about-privacy/ ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** US sanctions on Iranian and Syrian entities and individuals for monitoring and tracking dissidents online Reporters Without Borders welcomes the executive order that President Barack Obama signed on 23 April imposing new sanctions on those who provide the Syrian and Iranian regimes with ?information and communications technology that facilitates computer or network disruption, monitoring, or tracking that could assist in or enable grave rights abuses.? http://en.rsf.org/united-states-us-sanctions-on-iran-syria-for-26-04-2012,42380.html ir: Plan to seal off internet Iran is drawing up plans to cut off its internet users from the rest of the world with a so-called halal or "permitted" internet. http://www.theage.com.au/world/plan-to-seal-off-internet-20120429-1xsy1.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Digital Economy Act's anti-piracy measures are delayed The controversial piracy law, the Digital Economy Act, has again been delayed, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has confirmed. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-17853518 DEA anti-piracy measures delayed until 2014 The Digital Economy Act's anti-piracy measures have been delayed until 2014 at the earliest, following court cases brought by ISPs unhappy with the costs they would have to bear and with other aspects of the law. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/intellectual-property/2012/04/26/dea-anti-piracy-measures-delayed-until-2014-40155111/ U.S. Antitrust Move Has Google Fighting on Two Fronts Google may soon be fighting antitrust battles on two fronts. The European Commission has been looking for two years into whether the search giant abused local competition laws, and it is expected soon to either file formal charges or achieve a significant settlement. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/28/technology/us-move-has-google-fighting-on-2-fronts.html U.S. Escalates Google Case by Hiring Noted Outside Lawyer Federal regulators escalated their antitrust investigation of Google on Thursday by hiring a prominent litigator, sending a strong signal that they are prepared to take the Internet giant to court. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/27/technology/google-antitrust-inquiry-advances.html FTC Hires Outside Attorney in Google Antitrust Case [IDG] The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has hired an outside litigator to lead its antitrust investigation of Google, a possible sign that the FTC is preparing to file a lawsuit against the search and advertising giant. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/254569/ftc_hires_outside_attorney_in_google_antitrust_case.html FTC turns up heat on Google in antitrust probe Is Google on the verge of an antitrust showdown with federal regulators? http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-ftc-turns-up-heat-on-google-in-antitrust-probe20120426,0,4160098.story U.S. House passes cyber bill despite veto threat The U.S. House of Representatives passed a cybersecurity bill on Thursday that would allow the government and companies to share information about hacking, but which has raised privacy concerns and a veto threat from the White House. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/04/27/usa-cyber-bill-idUKL2E8FQPKI20120427 EFF Condemns CISPA, Vows to Take Fight to the Senate Hours ago, the House of Representatives voted to approve the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), a bill that would allow companies to bypass all existing privacy law to spy on communications and pass sensitive user data to the government. EFF condemns the vote in the House and vows to continue the fight in the Senate. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/04/eff-condemns-cispa-vows-take-fight-senate CISPA Passes House: Cybersecurity Bill Approved Despite White House Veto Threat The House of Representatives passed cybersecurity legislation Thursday aimed at protecting American companies from hackers who steal intellectual property. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/26/cispa-passes-house_n_1457548.html Microsoft backs away from CISPA support, citing privacy Microsoft is no longer as enthusiastic about a controversial cybersecurity bill that would allow Internet and telecommunications companies to divulge confidential customer information to the National Security Agency. http://news.cnet.com/8301-33062_3-57423580/microsoft-backs-away-from-cispa-support-citing-privacy/ House Votes to Approve Disputed Hacking Bill Defying a veto threat from President Obama, the House on Thursday passed a bill that encourages intelligence agencies and businesses to share information about threats to computer systems, including attacks on American Web sites by hackers in China and other countries. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/27/us/politics/house-defies-veto-threat-on-hacking-bill.html House Passes CISPA Cyberthreat Sharing Bill, Despite Privacy Concerns [IDG] The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a cyberthreat information-sharing bill that critics say will give U.S. government agencies access to the private communications of millions of Internet users. http://www.pcworld.com/article/254573/house_passes_cispa_cyberthreat_sharing_bill_despite_privacy_concerns.html InternetNZ mulls single regulatory regime InternetNZ expects to complete in a few weeks a project to examine how a unified regulatory regime for online and broadcast content works or is envisaged to work in jurisdictions where such a system is in place or contemplated. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/internetnz-mulls-single-regulatory-regime On the record with InternetNZ president InternetNZ president Frank March telecommutes for the Ministry of Economic Development four days a week from his home in Motueka. He claims to be ?20 percent retired?. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/on-the-record-with-internetnz-president ********************** MISCELLANEOUS ********************** How Apple Sidesteps Billions in Taxes Apple, the world?s most profitable technology company, doesn?t design iPhones here. It doesn?t run AppleCare customer service from this city. And it doesn?t manufacture MacBooks or iPads anywhere nearby. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/business/apples-tax-strategy-aims-at-low-tax-states-and-nations.html Workers at Apple contractor threaten suicide in wage dispute Workers at a factory owned by Foxconn, Apple's main manufacturer, threatened to jump off the roof of a building in a protest about wages, a month after the two firms reached agreement on improving working conditions. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/27/apple-contractor-workers-threaten-suicide au: Parliament probes technology price gouge Apple and Microsoft will be asked to defend their pricing policies at a federal parliamentary inquiry into why Australians pay far more for music and game downloads than overseas customers. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/it-giants-in-price-probe-20120428-1xs16.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/parliament-probes-technology-price-gouge-20120428-1xrl2.html au: Inquiry to target expensive downloads The Federal Government is planning an inquiry into why it costs more to download software and content in Australia than in many other countries. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-29/government-to-probe-cost-of-software-downloads/3978558 The Tangled Tale of Aakash, the World?s Cheapest Laptop Last October, with much fanfare, the Ministry of Human Resources Development unveiled ?Aakash,? a new, $35 computer built for Indian students. More than six months later, with tens of thousands of university students still waiting, the tale of the Aakash looks a bit like an Indian soap opera, complete with a convoluted storyline, multiple characters, and massive personality clashes. http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/27/the-tangled-tale-of-aakash-the-worlds-cheapest-laptop/ Tech Needs Girls: World leaders draw up roadmap for female tech education and careers push [news release] Global leaders from the US, Europe, Africa and Asia joined together today to debate and define a roadmap that will help break down barriers and overturn outmoded attitudes in a bid get more girls into technology-related studies and careers. http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2012/21.aspx UN debate stresses need to break down barriers for girls in technology-related careers [news release] At a United Nations-organized event in New York, education and technology experts from around the world today discussed the need to break down barriers and shift attitudes to encourage girls to go into technology-related fields. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41874 ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** The top 4 priorities for the new Telecom boss ... At last week?s Tel.Con12 industry conference ? before Moutter?s appointment was announced ? I asked InternetNZ CEO Vikram Kumar what advice he would give to Telecom?s new boss. http://www.techday.co.nz/telecommunicationsreview/news/the-top-4-priorities-for-the-new-telecom-boss/23264/6/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2012 ------ David Goldstein email: david at goldsteinreport.com web: http://goldsteinreport.com/ http://davidgoldstein.tel/ 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 FlanneryReceived on Mon Apr 30 2012 - 04:44:17 UTC
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