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.


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The domain name news is supported by auDA

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ITU Opens Public Consultation on the Future of Internet Regulation [IDG]
http://www.cio.com/article/713829/ITU_Opens_Public_Consultation_on_the_Future_of_Internet_Regulation

US must hand over Internet control to the world
http://english.people.com.cn/90777/7915248.html

Finalists announced in 2012 Australia and New Zealand Internet Awards
http://internetnz.net.nz/news/media-releases/2012/Finalists-announced-2012-Australia-and-New-Zealand-Internet-Awards
http://blog.auda.org.au/2012/08/14/2012-anzia-finalists-announced/

No 'Phishing': Banks Try to Sink Scammers: Financial Firms Apply for Own Internet Domain Names
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444508504577593243972975650.html

Clearing Up Clearinghouse Confusion
http://www.gtldstrategy.com/brand-protection-strategies/clearing-up-clearinghouse-confusion

Melbourne IT Urges ICANN to Consider Stricter Protections to Minimize Consumer and Business Harm in new gTLDs
http://www.melbourneit.info/news-centre/Releases/Melbourne-IT-Urges-ICANN-to-Consider-Stricter-Protections-to-Minimize-Consumer-and-Business-Harm-in-new-gTLDs.xml

What?s wrong with Melbourne IT?s new anti-cybersquatting plan?
http://domainincite.com/10176-whats-wrong-with-melbourne-its-new-anti-cybersquatting-plan

Flood of top-level domains requires higher protections: Melbourne IT
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/433854/flood_top-level_domains_requires_higher_protections_melbourne_it/

US Congress joins Saudi Arabia in ?Net censorship extravaganza by Milton Mueller
http://www.internetgovernance.org/2012/08/16/us-congress-joins-saudi-arabia-in-net-censorship-extravaganza/

Google Sinks Internet Pirates
http://www.domainnamestrategy.com/2012/08/16/google-sinks-internet-pirates

au: linux.conf.au temporarily off the air
http://www.itwire.com/opinion-and-analysis/open-sauce/21328-linuxconfau-temporarily-off-the-air

au: More pharmacies buying web domain names
http://www.pharmacynews.com.au/news/latest-news/more-pharmacies-buying-web-domain-names


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GOVERNANCE
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ITU Opens Public Consultation on the Future of Internet Regulation [IDG]
The United Nations' International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has called for a public consultation on a draft document ahead of a December meeting to finalize a new treaty for regulation of the Internet, it said Wednesday.
http://www.cio.com/article/713829/ITU_Opens_Public_Consultation_on_the_Future_of_Internet_Regulation
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/081612-itu-opens-public-consultation-on-261687.html
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/260949/itu_opens_public_consultation_on_the_future_of_internet_regulation.html

Bono Mack Urges Senate to Take Up House Internet Governance Bill After August Recess
The threat to a free and open internet is real, and the Senate should take up a pending resolution (H. Con. Res. 127) opposing any government regulation of the internet as soon as lawmakers return from the August recess, Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.) urged in an Aug. 14 letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)
http://www.bna.com/bono-mack-urges-n12884911253/

US must hand over Internet control to the world
The Internet has become one of the most important resources in the world in just a few decades, but the governance mechanism for such an important international resource is still dominated by a private sector organization and a single country.
http://english.people.com.cn/90777/7915248.html
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90777/7915248.html

Privatizing the ITU-T: Back to the Future by Anthony Rutkowski
The awkwardly named International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) by any measure is a highly unusual body. It is the only global intergovernmental organization where Nation States produce detailed technical standards for telecommunications. Even more amazing is that it produces these standards for a field that is so dynamic and globally competitive as telecommunications. What is not well known is that the ITU-T was once a private standards body.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120816_privatizing_the_itu_t_back_to_the_future/

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DOMAIN NAMES
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 - ICANN
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Period of 16 ? 26 August 2012: Public Comment Periods Recently Opened and Approaching Closing Date
The Following Public Comment periods are Recently Opened or are approaching their Comment or Reply Period Close dates between 16 - 26 August 2012.
http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-16aug12-en.htm

Fellowship Program Brings Global Voices Together at ICANN | Fellows Announced for Toronto, Canada Meeting
27 fellows from 24 countries have been selected to participate in ICANN's Fellowship program at the 45th Public Meeting in Toronto, Canada, 14-19 October.
http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-17aug12-en.htm

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 - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
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2012 ANZIA Finalists Announced
auDA and InternetNZ are very pleased to announce the finalists of the 2012 Australia and New Zealand Internet Awards (the ANZIAs).
http://blog.auda.org.au/2012/08/14/2012-anzia-finalists-announced/

Finalists announced in 2012 Australia and New Zealand Internet Awards
InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) is pleased to announce that eleven New Zealand-based organisations have been selected as finalists in the 2012 Australia and New Zealand Internet Awards (the ANZIAs).
http://internetnz.net.nz/news/media-releases/2012/Finalists-announced-2012-Australia-and-New-Zealand-Internet-Awards

Open registration of names in the domain .???
Open domain name registration started in the domain .???. Anyone can register a domain name in accordance with the Rules for registration, use, and allocation of domain space in the Kazakhstan segment of the Internet.
http://www.nic.kz/index.jsp

Orgainzation That Run Thailand?s ccTLD (.Th) Objects To new the gTLD .Thai
Thai Network Information Center Foundation the organization which runs the ccTLD of .Th on behalf of the government of Thailand just filed an objection with ICANN to the new gTLD application of Better Living Management Company Limited (BLM) to operate .Thai.
http://www.thedomains.com/2012/08/18/orgainzation-that-run-thailands-cctld-th-objects-to-new-the-gtld-thai/

Nominet 'sought govt protection from takeover by domain hawkers'
Nominet, the .uk address registry, sought government help to protect its board of directors from a takeover by domain name speculators, according to its former policy chief.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/08/17/nominet_takeover_gov/

Nominet rocked by disability discrimination ruling
Nominet, the company that runs the .uk domain registry, faces a bill of ?101,000 plus untold costs for discriminating against its former legal and policy director, Emily Taylor, a well-known figure in internet policy circles, who suffered a mental illness.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/9478319/Nominet-rocked-by-disability-discrimination-ruling.html

uk: Telegraph article: clarifications
Some of our members may have read a story in today's Daily Telegraph about a recent employment tribunal with some understandable concern, and we therefore feel obliged to set the record straight on a number of key points where the story told is misleading.
http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=9468

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 - NEW TLDS
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Clearing Up Clearinghouse Confusion
In a recent post, we talked about silver bullets ? specifically, the belief that new gTLDs would be a magic cure to all search engine optimization quandaries.
http://www.gtldstrategy.com/brand-protection-strategies/clearing-up-clearinghouse-confusion

No 'Phishing': Banks Try to Sink Scammers: Financial Firms Apply for Own Internet Domain Names
If banks have their way, Internet scammers soon may have a tougher time deceiving people with bogus bank websites.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444508504577593243972975650.html

Melbourne IT Urges ICANN to Consider Stricter Protections to Minimize Consumer and Business Harm in new gTLDs
Melbourne IT today called on ICANN to provide greater consumer protection to reduce the risk of public confusion or fraud in new gTLDs by strengthening safeguards for the use of well-known names at the second level before more than 1,000 new gTLDs are introduced on to the Internet from 2013.
http://www.melbourneit.info/news-centre/Releases/Melbourne-IT-Urges-ICANN-to-Consider-Stricter-Protections-to-Minimize-Consumer-and-Business-Harm-in-new-gTLDs.xml

What?s wrong with Melbourne IT?s new anti-cybersquatting plan?
Genuine question. Melbourne IT, the Aussie registrar with the increasingly vocal brand-protection focus, has come up with a new scheme for protecting super-famous brands after new gTLDs start to launch.
http://domainincite.com/10176-whats-wrong-with-melbourne-its-new-anti-cybersquatting-plan

Flood of top-level domains requires higher protections: Melbourne IT
With ICANN set to roll out more than 1000 new gTLDs, Melbourne IT has urged stronger protections for organisations at high risk for fraud.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/433854/flood_top-level_domains_requires_higher_protections_melbourne_it/
http://www.techworld.com.au/article/433854/flood_top-level_domains_requires_higher_protections_melbourne_it/
http://www.cio.com.au/article/433854/flood_top-level_domains_requires_higher_protections_melbourne_it/
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/telecommunications/flood-of-top-level-domains-requires-higher-protections-melbourne-it

New gTLDs: a dream for scammers and a nightmare for big brands
The opening up of the gTLD space could be a boon for scammers and a major headache for well known brands that must protect their online identity from spurious lookalikes created with malicious intent.
http://www.itwire.com/business-it-news/security/56237-new-gtlds-a-dream-for-scammers-and-a-nightmare-for-big-brands

Flood of top-level domains requires higher protections: Melbourne IT
With ICANN set to roll out more than 1000 new gTLDs, Melbourne IT has urged stronger protections for organisations at high risk for fraud.
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/network-wifi/3376754/flood-of-top-level-domains-requires-higher-protections-melbourne-it/

Clear paths for Aussie gTLD applications
A majority of Australian applications to own and operate new gTLDs like .afl, .iinet and .sydney have so far gone unopposed.
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/312288,clear-paths-for-aussie-gtld-applications.aspx

Domain name fraud fears
Melbourne IT is urging the ICANN to tighten safeguards around the new gTLD.
http://www.bandt.com.au/news/digital/domain-name

Is ICANN?s gTLD Database Inaccurate?
In an webinar last week (August 9, 2012), ICANN announced that three of the 1,930 applications had been withdrawn from its gTLD program. Here?s a slide from ICANN that notes the withdrawals:
http://isenbergondomains.com/2012/08/13/is-icanns-gtld-database-inaccurate/

It's Time to Put a Bow on the URS: Our Work is Almost Done by Kathy Kleiman
For years our community has struggled with the rules of the URS - the Uniform Rapid Suspension - aimed at taking down the "worst of the worst" domain name registrations in a manner faster and cheaper than its predecessor, the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy - the UDRP. On June 27, in Prague, a diverse group met to discuss the fate of the URS. To my surprise, it was a rare "kumbaya" moment, and that makes it worthy of comment.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120817_its_time_to_put_a_bow_on_the_urs_our_work_is_almost_done/

4 Items for Applicants to Consider in Planning, Even As You Wait by Norbert Grey
With the effective deregulation of the domain name industry through the imminent launch of up to 1,000 new gTLD's, the competitive landscape is going to get a whole lot hotter over the next 24 months. We will likely see some financially and commercially successful ventures. It is likely that we will see many unsuccessful ones as well. The gap between success and failure will be slim.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/4_items_for_applicants_to_consider_in_planning_even_as_you_wait/

Objection To .Earth: We Already Own It & ICANN Awarding It To Any Applicant ?Would be Larceny?
In interesting objection was just filed with ICANN on the new gTLD .Earth, by John Palmer of American Webmasters, Inc who claims to already own the TLD since 1995 having been granted the TLD by none other than Dr. Jon Postel.
http://www.thedomains.com/2012/08/16/objection-to-earth-we-already-own-it-icann-awarding-it-to-any-applicant-would-be-larceny/

US Congress joins Saudi Arabia in ?Net censorship extravaganza by Milton Mueller
Did you know that .BABY is an evil domain name? The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia thinks so, and wants to censor it. Not just in their little kingdom but globally, by insisting that ICANN not allow it. Never mind that the applicant for .BABY is the staid Johnson & Johnson company, which is not exactly known for hosting porn sites.
http://www.internetgovernance.org/2012/08/16/us-congress-joins-saudi-arabia-in-net-censorship-extravaganza/

Saudi Arabia Apparently Objects to .Catholic, .Gay, .Bible, and 28 More Proposed New Top-Level Domains
In June, ICANN, the organization that wrangles Internet addresses, announced that almost 2,000 applications for new TLDs?like .com, .edu, and .gov?had been filed by companies (or any group or individual that wanted to pay $185,000 per proposed domain).
http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/08/16/icann_top_level_domain_applications_saudi_arabia_apparently_objects_to_catholic_gay_bible_.html

Saudi Arabia blocks Vatican web address bid
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has attempted to block a Vatican bid to create new web addresses ending in .catholic, arguing that it "cannot demonstrate that it possesses a monopoly over the term ?Catholic'," reports The Tablet.
http://cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=32716

Saudis object to Vatican bid for '.catholic' internet domain
Saudi Arabia has entered an objection to the Vatican?s bid for a new ?.catholic? internet domain.
http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=15258

6 ways to solve new top level domain ?metering? problem
Six examples of ways to meter TLDs, but many of them are basically the same things.
http://domainnamewire.com/2012/08/18/6-ways-to-solve-new-top-level-domain-metering-problem/

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 - DNS SECURITY
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us: The Federal Cybersecurity Regulation Already in Place by Bruce Levinson
While Congress and the White House deliberate possible actions on FISMA reform and increased oversight of critical infrastructure, relatively little attention is being given to the government-wide cybersecurity regulation already in place, the Data Quality Act (DQA). Unlike FISMA, which primarily governs the government's internal cybersecurity processes, and contemplated legislation and/or Executive Order(s), which would likely also include a focus on critical infrastructure protection, the DQA contains a unique mandate.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120816_the_federal_cybersecurity_regulation_already_in_place/

The ITRs and Cybersecurity by Bill Smith
Cybersecurity is a top-of-mind issue with calls for individual vigilance, national legislation, and international treaties to address gaps that are exploited causing significant harm and financial loss on a daily basis. The vast majority of these calls are well-intentioned though even among the best-intentioned, some are poorly directed. Such is the case with all of the proposals that would introduce security into the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120815_the_itrs_and_cybersecurity/

Experts argue over whether shallow DNS gene pool hurts web infrastructure
Experts are split over whether a lack of 'genetic diversity' in the (Domain Name System) DNS infrastructure is leaving the internet at greater risk of attacks.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/08/16/shallow_dns_gene_poll/

Half a million credit card numbers stolen from Australian business
An Eastern European syndicate, believed to be responsible for the 2011 hack of the Subway restaurant chain, has stolen a half million credit cards from an unidentified Australian company.
http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/27673/half-a-million-credit-card-numbers-stolen-from-australian-business/

au: Proposed security sweep of IT plans after Huawei decision
A new cyber-security regime to be considered following the decision to ban Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from involvement in the NBN will compel businesses to inform security agencies about plans to buy and install new IT network equipment and network designs.
http://www.afr.com/p/national/proposed_security_sweep_of_it_plans_d0P3UU7OaelVf4iN9a2QjN

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 - IPv4/IPv6
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Clarification on Reallocated IPv4 Address Space Related to Dutch Police Order
As reported in previous announcements, the RIPE NCC will go to court in the Netherlands on 29 November 2012 to seek clarification on the procedure taken by the Dutch police on 8 November 2011 when it presented the RIPE NCC with a police order to "lock" registrations in the RIPE Database.
http://www.ripe.net/internet-coordination/news/clarification-on-reallocated-ipv4-address-space-related-to-dutch-police-order

Thirty percent of IPv4 space is still unused by Hadi Asghari, Delft University of Technology
Based on calculations that I have recently done, nearly a third of IPv4 address space is not in active use. The IP address calculations refer to consecutive IP blocks not advertised by any of the autonomous systems on the global Internet routing tables, not to individual addresses in existing subnets. This amount seems large and has potentially interesting consequences.
http://www.internetgovernance.org/2012/08/17/thirty-percent-of-ipv4-space-is-still-unused/

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 - MISCELLANEOUS
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Online voting for NRO NC election opens today
Online voting for the Number Resource Organization Number Council (NRO NC) election opens today, Monday, 13 August 2012.
http://www.apnic.net/publications/news/2012/online-voting-for-nro-nc-election-opens-13-august-2012

Google?s Copyright Algorithm Change Welcomed By White House
Late last week Google announced a change to their algorithm to penalise copyright infringers in the search engine?s results.
http://www.internetnews.me/2012/08/14/googles-copyright-algorithm-change-welcomed-by-white-house/

Google Sinks Internet Pirates
Google is taking a big step towards combating online piracy, announcing a change in its search algorithm that will favor legally downloadable content over pirated materials.
http://www.domainnamestrategy.com/2012/08/16/google-sinks-internet-pirates

Romney and Ryan Don?t Have RomneyRyan.com. So What?
Two and a half years before Mitt Romney picked Paul Ryan as his running mate, a domain name speculator registered <romneyryan.com>.
http://isenbergondomains.com/2012/08/17/romney-and-ryan-dont-have-romneyryan-com-so-what/

au: linux.conf.au temporarily off the air
The website of the Australian national Linux conference has not been accessible through its linux.conf.au domain name since at least October 19.
http://www.itwire.com/opinion-and-analysis/open-sauce/21328-linuxconfau-temporarily-off-the-air

Google Adds Country-specific Domain Registration Options for Apps Customers [IDG]
Google is partnering with a new Internet registrar that will let Apps customers choose Internet domains with a country code (CC) suffix.
http://www.cio.com/article/713925/Google_Adds_Country_specific_Domain_Registration_Options_for_Apps_Customers
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9230343/Google_adds_country_specific_domain_registration_options_for_Apps_customers

Internet Society?s African Peering and Interconnection Forum Provides Opportunities for Regional Internet Growth
The third African Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF-3), organized by the Internet Society, will be held 22-24 August 2012 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
http://www.internetsociety.org/news/internet-society?s-african-peering-and-interconnection-forum-provides-opportunities-regional

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 - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET
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au: More pharmacies buying web domain names
Competition is heating up in the race to buy search engine friendly pharmacy ?.com.au? website addresses, a report by domain name trading site Netfleet.com.au reveals.
http://www.pharmacynews.com.au/news/latest-news/more-pharmacies-buying-web-domain-names

Demonoid Domain Sale Banned Over Legal Issues
After several turbulent weeks with DDoS attacks, the shutdown of its servers and a criminal investigation into the site?s owners, trouble continues for the Demonoid BitTorrent tracker.
http://torrentfreak.com/demonoid-domain-sale-banned-over-legal-concerns-120818/

Invest.com Up For Sale Once More [news release]
DigitalDNA, a leading digital advisory firm, has been engaged to conduct a private sale process for one of the world's most valuable domain names, Invest.com. Due to recent trends in the evolving financial services industry, the timing is now optimal for the right company to acquire this rare asset and leverage it to launch a new leading financial brand. 
http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/08/17/invest-com-up-for-sale-once-more/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/investcom-up-for-sale-once-more.html

Owner of RomneyRyan.com plans to auction site
If his job in the tech industry doesn't work out, Peter Crowley should try psychic reading.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/sns-rt-us-socialmedia-romneyryancombre87f0ko-20120816,0,3966614.story

RomneyRyan.com Hits The Auction Block at Flippa With A BIN of $100K
The domain name RomneyRyan.com has hit the auction block at Flippa.com.
http://www.thedomains.com/2012/08/19/romneyryan-com-hits-the-auction-block-at-flippa-with-a-bin-of-100k/

Can You Guess the Super-Short Domain Name HP Just Registered for Gram?
Yesterday we learned about the creation of Gram, the new brand name for the Hewlett-Packard subsidiary formerly known as Palm. ... There?s not much to know about it beyond the name and that HP is keeping it stealthy for now, but AllThingsD just learned an interesting detail: HP has registered the Internet domain name gr.am.
http://allthingsd.com/20120816/can-you-guess-the-super-short-domain-name-hp-just-registered-for-gram/

Farewell to Max "Americar" Walker - A Domain Industry Treasure Who Left Us Too Soon
For the past ten years friendly Australian Max Walker has been one of the "regulars" at DNForum.com that old-timers always looked forward to hearing from.
http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2012/dailyposts/20120816.htm

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SOCIAL MEDIA
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us: Judge rejects Facebook settlement over ad feature
A U.S. judge rejected Facebook Inc's proposed legal settlement to resolve allegations that the social networking company violated its members' rights through the its 'Sponsored Stories' advertising feature.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/08/18/uk-facebook-settlement-idUKBRE87H00320120818
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/08/18/facebook-settlement-ad-idINDEE87H00120120818

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CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY
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us: FTC Advises Parents How to Protect Kids' Personal Information at School [news release]
A new school year usually means filling out paperwork like registration forms, health forms, and emergency contact forms, to name a few.
http://ftc.gov/opa/2012/08/idtheftschool.shtm

InternetNZ to hold workshops on draft cyberbullying Bill
InternetNZ intends to hold workshops on suggested legal measures against 'cyberbullying', as detailed in the Law Commission?s ministerial briefing last week.
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/internetnz-to-hold-workshops-on-draft-cyberbullying-bill

nz: The government is the real cyberbully
What delicate little flowers we have become. Just because some people say nasty things online, our nanny state is considering a fresh crackdown on freedom of speech in New Zealand.
http://www.zdnet.com/the-government-is-the-real-cyberbully-7000002764/

nz: Editorial: Is it time to shoot the messenger?
OPINION: Secondary Principals Association president Patrick Walsh appeared to be talking a lot of sense this week amid announcements that "tough proposed laws would criminalise cyber-bullying and require schools to take action against digital tormentors".
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/opinion/7494817/Editorial-Is-it-time-to-shoot-the-messenger

nz: Editorial: Now we're getting somewhere
OPINION: There's a lot to like in the Law Commission's report on cyber-bullying. It does throw up some potential problems but none that couldn't be resolved without causing any great loss of momentum for long-overdue reforms to provide, at last, proper sanctions and remedies.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/opinion/7489112/Editorial-Now-we-re-getting-somewhere

nz: Editorial: Cyber report welcomed
There's a lot to like in the Law Commission's report on cyber-bullying.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/opinion/7496476/Editorial-Cyber-report-welcomed

nz: Editorial: An unseemly slanging match
OPINION: ''We as New Zealanders like to think we're gracious winners and fair, but . . . many of us are pretty ?small town'." Ouch. It has been a fascinating and frankly slightly disturbing week. It dawned with a golden glow tinged with a little sombre hue, erupted into national joy and then degenerated into a jingoistic bar-room brawl that inspired the above quote from Netsafe executive director Martin Cocker.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/opinion/7502049/Editorial-An-unseemly-slanging-match

nz: Ostapchuk comments shows Kiwis' ugly side
Hundreds of vitriolic comments on sites dedicated to shamed shot putter Nadzeya Ostapchuk show how "small town" many New Zealanders can be, an internet expert says.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/7497352/Ostapchuk-comments-shows-Kiwis-ugly-side
http://tvnz.co.nz/olympics-2012/ostapchuk-facebook-chatter-exposes-nz-s-ugly-side-5029800

nz: Internet expert slams 'small town' Kiwis for vitriolic abuses on 'drugs cheat' Ostapchuk [ANI]
An internet expert has branded many New Zealanders as 'small town' after hundreds of spiteful comments abusing shamed shot putter Nadzeya Ostapchuk emerged. ... Netsafe executive director and cyber bullying expert Martin Cocker said while it was unlikely Ostapchuk was paying attention to the Facebook pages, it was a poor reflection on New Zealand.
http://news.smashits.com/836490/Internet-expert-slams-small-town-Kiwis-for-vitriolic-abuses-on-drugs-cheat-Ostapchuk.htm

Internet expert slams 'small town' Kiwis for vitriolic abuses on 'drugs cheat' Ostapchuk [ANI]
An internet expert has branded many New Zealanders as 'small town' after hundreds of spiteful comments abusing shamed shot putter Nadzeya Ostapchuk emerged.
http://www.newkerala.com/news/newsplus/worldnews-67660.html

Kids seen, not heard, thanks to 'smart' devices
SPELLING correctly is said to be a dying skill, partly thanks to the spread of text messaging, and now speech pathologists warn that the explosion in the use of personal electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets may be delaying the development of children's speech.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/health/kids-seen-not-heard-thanks-to-smart-devices/story-fn59nokw-1226453661785

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ONLINE TV & MUSIC
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Google's anti-piracy move prompts file-sharers' reply
Two file-sharing websites have suggested that Google's decision to demote in its search results websites linked to copyright-infringement complaints would not harm them.
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19295221

Google Sinks Internet Pirates
Google is taking a big step towards combating online piracy, announcing a change in its search algorithm that will favor legally downloadable content over pirated materials. The search engine will begin taking into account the number of valid copyright removal notices when determining the rank of pages in a specific search, thereby theoretically pushing sites that receive the most notices to the bottom of the heap.
http://www.domainnamestrategy.com/2012/08/16/google-sinks-internet-pirates

Surfthechannel owner launches furious attack on anti-piracy prosecution
Anton Vickerman, the Briton sentenced this week to four years in jail for running a website that linked to pirated US TV and film content, has launched an 18,000 word attack on the anti-piracy organisation that ran a private prosecution against him.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/16/surfthechannel-attack-anti-piracy-prosecution

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MOBILE/WIRELESS
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More companies join mobile payments rush
With Wal-Mart and Starbucks both announcing plans in the past week to make it easier for customers to pay using smartphones, the mobile payments market is finally moving into the mainstream.
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/558fdcb4-e7cd-11e1-8686-00144feab49a.html

Apple's Spat with Google Will Only Get Worse: the two companies seem fated to compete ever more fiercely over mobile computing.
Apple's relationship with Google recently reached a new low. The Cupertino, California, company announced it would drop Google Maps from the iPhone in favor of its own software and retire the YouTube app from the start screen of its mobile devices. It also launched legal action to halt sales of Google's flagship Galaxy Nexus smartphone, which it claims infringes on several of its patents.
http://www.technologyreview.com/news/428863/apples-spat-with-google-will-only-get-worse/

Why is Apple scared to compete with Samsung?
Most people like some products, but Apple fans love their products. And, who can blame them? I own an Apple TV, five Macs, an iPad, and two iPod Touches because they're darn good devices?and I'm a Linux fan. So why is Apple so frightened of Samsung and the other Android smartphone and tablet vendors that it's trying to sue them into the ground instead of competing with them?
http://www.zdnet.com/why-is-apple-scared-to-compete-with-samsung-7000002823/

Apple accused of overstating damages in patent case against Samsung
Tensions ran high in the court case between Apple and Samsung in San Jose on Thursday as the case neared its close, with a financial expert saying Apple had overstated Samsung's profit margins on mobile products, and the judge telling Apple's lawyer that "unless you're smoking crack" there was no chance 75 further witnesses could be called before testimony ended.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/17/apple-accused-overstating-damages-samsung-patent-trial

In Apple?s Patent Case, Tech Shifts May Follow
This week, nine jurors are expected to hunker down in a federal courthouse here to decide a case that could change how the world?s smartphones and tablet computers look and work.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/20/technology/samsung-and-apple-fail-to-agree-out-of-court.html

Motorola Mobility files new patent claim against Apple with U.S. ITC [IDG]
Google-owned Motorola Mobility has filed yet another claim against Apple with the U.S. International Trade Commission, this time asserting that devices including the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch infringe patents related to features such as email notifications, location reminders, and media players. 
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/081812-motorola-mobility-files-new-patent-261748.html
http://www.pcworld.com/article/261087/motorola_mobility_files_new_patent_claim_against_apple_with_us_itc.html

Aussies spend 32,000 years chatting on the phone
Australians collectively spent an astonishing 17 billion minutes making and taking calls on mobile phones in the past financial year - and that's just Telstra customers.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/aussies-spend-32000-years-chatting-on-the-phone/story-e6freuy9-1226452903287

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ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL
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Oracle confirms paying a blogger but Google names no-one
Oracle has disclosed two names after it and Google were ordered to reveal finciancial ties to people who might have influenced coverage of a trial.
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19303290

New Standard Pushes for a More Secure Web
There is no silver bullet when it comes to encryption. Even the most complex, invulnerable encryption today could be child's play in the future. The NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) is publishing new encryption standards for public review to try and keep up with the times and stay a step ahead of the bad guys.
http://www.cio.com/article/713862/New_Standard_Pushes_for_a_More_Secure_Web

Google Enhances Patent Search Service
Google, the target of more than a hundred patent lawsuits in the past decade, has expanded the scope of its patent search capabilities and added a new search tool to help those investigating patent claims.
http://www.informationweek.com/internet/google/google-enhances-patent-search-service/240005483

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SECURITY
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us: The Federal Cybersecurity Regulation Already in Place by Bruce Levinson
While Congress and the White House deliberate possible actions on FISMA reform and increased oversight of critical infrastructure, relatively little attention is being given to the government-wide cybersecurity regulation already in place, the Data Quality Act (DQA). Unlike FISMA, which primarily governs the government's internal cybersecurity processes, and contemplated legislation and/or Executive Order(s), which would likely also include a focus on critical infrastructure protection, the DQA contains a unique mandate.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120816_the_federal_cybersecurity_regulation_already_in_place/

The ITRs and Cybersecurity by Bill Smith
Cybersecurity is a top-of-mind issue with calls for individual vigilance, national legislation, and international treaties to address gaps that are exploited causing significant harm and financial loss on a daily basis. The vast majority of these calls are well-intentioned though even among the best-intentioned, some are poorly directed. Such is the case with all of the proposals that would introduce security into the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120815_the_itrs_and_cybersecurity/

Experts argue over whether shallow DNS gene pool hurts web infrastructure
Experts are split over whether a lack of 'genetic diversity' in the (Domain Name System) DNS infrastructure is leaving the internet at greater risk of attacks.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/08/16/shallow_dns_gene_poll/

Half a million credit card numbers stolen from Australian business
An Eastern European syndicate, believed to be responsible for the 2011 hack of the Subway restaurant chain, has stolen a half million credit cards from an unidentified Australian company.
http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/27673/half-a-million-credit-card-numbers-stolen-from-australian-business/

au: Proposed security sweep of IT plans after Huawei decision
A new cyber-security regime to be considered following the decision to ban Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from involvement in the NBN will compel businesses to inform security agencies about plans to buy and install new IT network equipment and network designs.
http://www.afr.com/p/national/proposed_security_sweep_of_it_plans_d0P3UU7OaelVf4iN9a2QjN

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CENSORSHIP
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Censorship comes to Jordan: IT industry could take a dive as new censorship laws come into effect.
In the censorious Middle East, Jordan has often stood out for its relative press and other freedoms. Though laws in the Kingdom prohibit insulting the king, slandering the government or foreign leaders, offending religious beliefs, or stirring sectarian strife, and books and press are monitored and sometimes censored, citizens are, in practice, fairly free to express their beliefs.
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/08/201281519529205413.html

Pakistan's Internet Censorship Worsens... Again
Just when we thought censorship in Pakistan couldn?t get any worse, it has. After our joint effort with numerous Pakistani and international organizations succeeded in putting plans for a national filter on hold, and Pakistan relented after a brief experiment with blocking Twitter, we thought we could turn our focus elsewhere for a little while.
https://www.eff.org/press/releases/government-faces-new-warrantless-surveillance-battle-after-losing-landmark-gps

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GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
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au/nz: Senate rejects call for public scrutiny of TPP
A Greens? bid to make the federal government reveal the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP/TPPA) has been quashed today in the Senate.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/433762/senate_rejects_call_public_scrutiny_tpp/

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TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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Asia's fastest data cable links Tokyo to Singapore
A new high-speed undersea data cable has opened to traffic in Asia. The 7,800km Asia Submarine-cable Express (ASE) connects Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19275490

uk: Broadband speeds rise 20% after Virgin and BT launch superfast connections
The arrival of superfast broadband connections from BT and Virgin Media has boosted the average residential download speed by nearly 20% during the last six months, to nine megabits per second.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/15/broadband-speeds-rise-virgin-bt

Network upgrades boost average broadband speeds
UK consumers are achieving average residential broadband speeds of 9.0Mbit/s, driven by the move to new ?superfast? services, Ofcom research reveals.
http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2012/08/15/network-upgrades-boost-average-broadband-speeds/

us: Consumer Groups Warn Of Higher Internet Prices As Verizon, Cable Deal Clears Hurdle
Consumer groups on Friday warned that a proposed deal made by Verizon and four cable companies would force consumers to pay higher prices for Internet service, a day after the agreement cleared a major regulatory hurdle.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/17/verizon-cable-company_n_1799157.html

nz: ComCom cans investigation into copper access pricing
Decision on whether to reduce the price telcos pay to access Chorus?s copper network to be made in November
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/comcom-cans-investigation-into-copper-access-pricing

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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 Flannery