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 *************************************************** Protecting Trademark Rights in New gTLDs: ICANN Invites Participation on Assistance Group for Trademark Clearinghouse Implementation http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-26oct11-en.htm GAC slams registrars over ?silly? crime domain moves http://domainincite.com/gac-slams-registrars-over-silly-crime-domain-moves/ Chinese Register 7.86m Domains; 3.5m .CN Domains http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16171 42,000 .XXX Domain Name Applications Filed with Five Days Remaining in Sunrise http://www.icmregistry.com/press/42000-xxx-domain-name-applications-filed-with-five-days-remaining-in-sunrise/ American Retailers Join The Late Late Late Show Opposing New gTLDs http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/10/25/american-retailers-join-the-late-late-late-show-opposing-new-gtlds/ Microsoft settles suit against alleged botnet hoster http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20126012-245/microsoft-settles-suit-against-alleged-botnet-hoster/ Akamai State of the Internet Report Finds 604m IP Addresses http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16175 ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** A Month in Africa Charts the Promise and Perils of Internet Governance by Steve DelBianco There may be no better illustration of how far we've come in Internet governance, than this: twice in the past 30 days, the global Internet community has gathered in sub-Saharan Africa to plot a path to bring the Internet to its next billion users. Just weeks after wrapping up the sixth annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Kenya, Internet stakeholders from around the world traveled back to Africa for ICANN's 42nd meeting in Dakar, Senegal. http://www.circleid.com/posts/a_month_in_africa_charts_the_promise_and_perils_of_internet_governance/ ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Protecting Trademark Rights in New gTLDs: ICANN Invites Participation on Assistance Group for Trademark Clearinghouse Implementation One way ICANN is working to protect property rights, and the interests of registrants, in the New gTLD Program is the establishment of a Trademark Clearinghouse. The Trademark Clearinghouse is being designed to increase protections and reduce costs for trademark holders and start-up registries alike. http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-26oct11-en.htm ICANN Dakar Meeting Opens with Calls for Greater Internet Access for Africans Rod Beckstrom, ICANN?s President and Chief Executive Officer said today that there is a real need to increase Internet access across the African continent. ?There has been tremendous progress toward greater connectivity. In ten years, the number of Internet users has grown 25-fold,? said Beckstrom. ?That is rapid growth, yet it still represents only 11.5 percent of the African population.? http://www.icann.org/en/news/releases/release-24oct11-en.pdf Letter from Rod Beckstrom to Neelie Kroes Cross Ownership Between Registries and Registrars http://www.icann.org/en/correspondence/beckstrom-to-kroes-25oct11-en.pdf Letter from Steve Crocker to NPOC Leadership Response to Not-for-Profit Organization Operational Concerns Constituency ("NPOC") Request for ICANN Board Assistance for Membership Approval and Recent Elections http://www.icann.org/en/correspondence/crocker-to-npoc-26oct11-en.pdf ICANN Formalizes Relations with French Top-Level Domain Manager Leaders Sign Letters of Understanding at Senegal Meeting ICANN formalized its relationship with the French Network Information Centre (AFNIC), the non-profit association that serves as the Internet registry for the ?.fr? TLD in France. http://www.icann.org/en/news/releases/release-26oct11-en.pdf Beckstrom: next ICANN CEO should be an outsider ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom has called on the organization to replace him with somebody from outside of the domain name industry. http://domainincite.com/beckstrom-next-icann-ceo-should-be-an-outsider/ IANA contract only for US companies The US Department of Commerce has announced the date of its RFP for the IANA contract, stating that only wholly US-based organizations are welcome to apply. http://domainincite.com/iana-contract-only-for-us-companies/ GAC slams registrars over ?silly? crime domain moves ICANN?s Governmental Advisory Committee is seriously annoyed with domain name registrars over what it sees as a failure to take the demands of law enforcement seriously. http://domainincite.com/gac-slams-registrars-over-silly-crime-domain-moves/ Domain registrars pressured into huge shakeup Domain name registrars have agreed to negotiate big changes to their standard contract with ICANN, after getting a verbal kicking from the US and other governments. http://domainincite.com/domain-registrars-pressured-into-huge-shakeup/ Registrars Work to Amend ICANN Agreement to Address Security Concerns During the ICANN meeting in Dakar, ICANN and registrars will announce that they?re working to amend the current Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) to address security concerns and provided ?increased protections for registrants?. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/26/registrars-work-to-amend-icann-agreement-to-address-security-concerns/ Did You Know? No Policy Against Registry-Registrar Cross-Ownership ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom has responded to European Commission Commissioner Neelie Kroes on the issue of cross ownership between domain name registrars and registries, also know as vertical integration. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/26/did-you-know-no-policy-against-registry-registrar-cross-ownership/ $300 URS May Be Unrealistic ? And Other New gTLD Emerging Realities On Sunday, October 23rd ICANN senior staffer Kurt Pritz made a lengthy presentation on ?New gTLD Program Activities? to the GNSO Council meeting in Dakar. Narrating a slide presentation, and answering questions, Pritz addressed many of the complex implementation details of the program, which kicks off in mid-January http://internetcommerce.org/%24300%20URS%3F GNSO Council Appears on Track to Initiate UDRP Reform ICANN?s GNSO Council, which sets policy for all gTLDs, engaged in a spirited one hour discussion of UDRP reform during its first day of meetings at the 42nd ICANN gathering in Dakar, Senegal. http://internetcommerce.org/GNSO_UDRP_Reform_Dakar NTIA Actively Exploring Inclusion of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Provisions in IANA Contract In a September 21st letter sent by Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information Lawrence Strickling to U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) disclosed that it is ?actively exploring how to best meet this requirement? for ?a clear and enforced ethics and conflict of interest policy? in the next version of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) contract. http://internetcommerce.org/internetcommerce.org/NTIA_on_IANA_to_Wyden ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** Chinese Register 7.86m Domains; 3.5m .CN Domains There are 7.86 million domain names registered in China - .COM domains account 3.7 million of these registrations, or 47.1 per cent of the total number of domain names registered within China, while there were 3.5 million .CN domain names, 44.6 per cent of all domains. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16171 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/10/25/chinese-register-786m-domains-35m-cn-domains/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/chinese-register-786m-domains-35m-cn-domains.html China 5 Billion Yuan Internet Infrastructure Market Indicates Six Trends ... According to iResearch?s 2010-2011 China Internet Infrastructure Market Research Report, the revenue of China Internet infrastructure market in 2010 is 5.25 billion Yuan, in which website design accounts for 62.9%, domain registration accounts for 15.4%, hosting services accounts for 12.2% and outsourcing enterprise email address accounts for 9.5%. http://www.iresearchchina.com/view.aspx?id=9241 IEDR reports 13pc jump in .ie registrations ? 170k .ie domains exist There are now 170,000 .ie domain names in existence, the .ie Domain Registry (IEDR) confirmed today. The registry said 10,029 .ie domains were registered in the third quarter, up 12.7pc on last year. http://www.siliconrepublic.com/business/item/24216-iedr-reports-13pc-jump-in/ .ie Registration Growth Continues with Highest Ever Q3 Registrations The IE Domain Registry (IEDR), the managed registry for Ireland?s official Internet address .ie, today reported that registrations for Ireland?s TLD reached their highest ever total in a three month period for the third quarter ending September, 2011. 10,029 .ie domains were registered in Quarter 3 2011 a 12.7% increase on the same period in 2010, and the total registration figure for each of July, August and September was the highest on record for each month. http://www.iedr.ie/index.php/component/content/article/50-general/281-wednesday-26th-october-2011-ie-registration-growth-continues-with-highest-ever-q3-registrations Irish Domain Registry reports record three-month rise The registry for Ireland?s official internet address, .ie, has reported that registrations for Ireland?s TLD reached their highest ever total in a three-month period for the third quarter ending September, 2011. http://www.examiner.ie/breakingnews/business/irish-domain-registry-reports-record-three-month-rise-525894.html http://www.breakingnews.ie/business/irish-domain-registry-reports-record-three-month-rise-525894.html http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/irish-domain-registry-reports-record-three-month-rise-525894.html Nominet Trust plans fund for entrepreneurs over 55 ?Older internet entrepreneurs? are to compete to win financial backing for digital projects that improve senior Britons? lives. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8851124/Nominet-Trust-plans-fund-for-entrepreneurs-over-55.html 42,000 .XXX Domain Name Applications Filed with Five Days Remaining in Sunrise ICM Registry, the company behind the .XXX TLD, today announced it has received has received over 42,000 applications for .XXX domain names since the September 7, 2011 launch of the Sunrise Period with thousands more pouring in each day. http://www.icmregistry.com/press/42000-xxx-domain-name-applications-filed-with-five-days-remaining-in-sunrise/ .XXX Has Grossed $10 Million Already [Updated] .XXX Registry ICM Registry has already taken in $10 million for the .xxx launch?and general availability hasn?t even started. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/24/over-8-million-spend-on-xxx-sunrise-domain-applications-so-far/ 42,000 .XXX Domain Name Applications Filed with Five Days Remaining in Sunrise Despite opposition from at least some of the adult entertainment industry, the .XXX TLD has proved a success with over 42,000 applications for .XXX domain names since the 7 September launch of the Sunrise Period, with the registry claiming thousands more are pouring in each day. http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/10/25/42000-xxx-domain-name-applications-filed-with-five-days-remaining-in-sunrise/ http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16173 ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** Web.com Plans .Web Top Level Domain Publicly traded Web.com plans to apply for the .web TLD and says no one else should be allowed to apply for the TLD due to its trademarks. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/24/web-com-plans-web-top-level-domain/ How Secure is the .Secure Trademark Application? People will try to game the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office all day long. In August I wrote about how Asif LLC applied for the .secure trademark. It later applied for .bank. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/24/how-secure-is-the-secure-trademark-application/ NRF Seeks Delay in Plan to Expand Internet Domain Names The National Retail Federation today asked the Commerce Department to delay implementation of a controversial plan to vastly expand Internet domain names, saying retailers and other businesses need more information before moving forward. http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=News&op=viewlive&sp_id=1229 American Retailers Join The Late Late Late Show Opposing New gTLDs The National Retail Federation has asked the US Commerce Department to delay implementation of what it describes as a controversial plan to introduce new gTLDs, saying retailers and other businesses need more information before moving forward. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16174 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/10/25/american-retailers-join-the-late-late-late-show-opposing-new-gtlds/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/american-retailers-join-the-late-late-late-show-opposing-new-gtlds.html ICANN Facing Growing Pressure Over New Domain-Name Plan As ICANN meets this week in Senegal, the organization that manages the Internet address system is facing a growing revolt from businesses worried about a plan to vastly expand the number of available domain names. http://nationaljournal.com/tech/icann-facing-growing-pressure-over-new-domain-name-plan-20111025 NRF Wants Delay of New Internet Domain Names ICANN has not provided enough clarity and guidance as it prepares to increase the number of domain-name extensions available on the Internet, National Retail Federation general counsel and senior vice president Mallory Duncan wrote in a letter to the Commerce Department last week. http://influencealley.nationaljournal.com/2011/10/nrf-asks-commerce-department-t.php What Will Be the Magic Number for New gTLD Applications? by Elisa Cooper With the application launch period scheduled to begin in less than three months, everyone wants to know just how many new gTLDs applications will be submitted. In terms of the number of applications to be submitted, I've seen estimates putting the figure as low as 500. But just last week, an industry insider told me that he thought the number could go as high as 3,500. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20111025_what_will_be_the_magic_number_new_gtlds_apps/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Microsoft settles suit against alleged botnet hoster Microsoft said today that a Czech Republic-based provider of free domains has agreed to pull the plug on botnet activities using his subdomains, as part of a settlement of a lawsuit the software giant filed in September to shut down the Kelihos botnet. http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20126012-245/microsoft-settles-suit-against-alleged-botnet-hoster/ http://www.zdnet.com.au/microsoft-settles-with-alleged-botnet-host-339325045.htm Microsoft drops botnet suit, asks former defendant for help Microsoft announced Wednesday that it has dismissed a lawsuit against a Czech Republic man and his company in relation to their alleged involvement in controlling a recently dismantled botnet. http://www.scmagazineus.com/microsoft-drops-botnet-suit-asks-former-defendant-for-help/article/215367/ New tool to help small businesses plan for cyberattack [IDG] With hackers increasingly setting their sights on small businesses, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission said Monday it will provide an online tool to help those businesses develop a cybersecurity strategy. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/102411-new-tool-to-help-small-252346.html Virus Infects Computers in Japan?s Parliament The episode is the latest in a series of mysterious cyberattacks that have raised concerns about the leakage of sensitive information. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/26/world/asia/virus-infects-computers-in-japans-parliament.html Cyber attacks against U.S. Energy Dept. disclosed The U.S. Department of Energy has been hit by recent successful cyber attacks and needs to do more to protect its computer systems, the department's internal watchdog said in a report on Monday. http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/10/24/idINIndia-60095620111024 ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Righthaven ordered to pay nearly $120,000 in attorney fees, court costs Newspaper copyright infringement lawsuit filer Righthaven LLC of Las Vegas was hit Wednesday with an order to pay $119,488 in attorney's fees and costs in its failed lawsuit against former federal prosecutor Thomas DiBiase. ... Hunt didn't rule on the fair use claim, but in the DiBiase case he ruled Righthaven had wrongly been claiming it had the right in its lawsuits to seize defendants' website domain names. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/oct/26/righthaven-ordered-pay-nearly-120000/ Did you know... In 2010, complainants were successful in 90% of the decisions issued under NZ?s domain name DRSP? As it approaches its 5th birthday in June this year, NZ's Dispute Resolution Service Policy (DRSP) is showing itself to be a very effective dispute resolution mechanism for complaints in respect of .nz domain name registrations. http://www.mondaq.com/NewZealand/x/150368/ ?Nuts?...dispute over medical tourism domain names continues Following the publication in an IMTJ blog of the 370 domain names owned by Jonathan Edelheit, a co-founder and CEO of the US based Medical Tourism Association (MTA), affected domain owners have expressed their displeasure at Edelheit?s alleged breach of the ICANN guidelines and are considering action to regain what they believe is rightfully theirs. http://www.imtj.com/news/?EntryId82=315568 ICE Seized 20 Domain Names For The NFL Over The Weekend Despite challenges concerning the legality of ICE seizing domain names prior to any sort of adversarial hearing, it appears that ICE has no intention to slow down. The group quietly seized 20 more domain names over the weekend, and it looks like most involved sites selling unauthorized NFL jerseys. http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20111024/10293116490/ice-seized-20-domain-names-nfl-over-weekend.shtml au: Woolworths Limited v. Save Cash Pty Ltd. - Case No. DAU2011-0019 1. The Parties: The Complainant is Woolworths Limited of Bella Vista, New South Wales, Australia, represented by Mallesons Stephen Jaques, Australia. The Respondent is Save Cash Pty Ltd. of Buderim, Queensland, Australia. 2. The Domain Name and Registrar: The disputed domain name <wooliesonline.com.au> (the ?Domain Name?) is registered with Aust Domains International Pty Ltd dba Aust Domains (the ?Registrar?). ... Since the Complainant has established all the elements entitling it to relief, no question of Reverse Domain Name Hijacking arises. 7. Decision: For all the foregoing reasons, in accordance with Paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the domain name <wooliesonline.com.au> be transferred to the Complainant. http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=DAU2011-0019 au: Jean Heitz v. Ghidella, Rosalia - Case No. DAU2011-0023 1. The Parties: Complainant is Jean Heitz of Germigny l'Eveque, France, represented by Novagraaf France SA, France. The Respondent is Ghidella, Rosalia of New South Wales, Australia. 2. The Domain Name and Registrar: The disputed domain name <argilitz.com.au> is registered with Aust Domains International Pty Ltd dba Aust Domains, Inc. ... In any event, the Panel finds that the disputed domain name was used in bad faith. 7. Decision: For the foregoing reasons, in accordance with Paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the disputed domain name, <argilitz.com.au>, be transferred to the Complainant. http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=DAU2011-0023 ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Akamai Announces Second Quarter 2011 ?State of the Internet' Report ... Global Internet Penetration: In the second quarter of 2011, more than 604 million unique IP addresses from 238 countries and regions connected to the Akamai Intelligent Platform. This represents 3.4 percent more IP addresses than connected in the first quarter of 2011, and an increase of 21 percent compared to the same quarter a year ago. http://www.akamai.com/html/about/press/releases/2011/press_102411.html Akamai State of the Internet Report Finds 604m IP Addresses In the second quarter of 2011, there were more than 604 million unique IP addresses in 238 countries and regions that were connected to the Akamai Intelligent Platform the latest State of the Internet report from Akamai Technologies finds. This represents 3.4 per cent more IP addresses than were connected in the first quarter of 2011, and an increase of 21 per cent compared to the same quarter a year ago. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16175 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/10/25/604m-ip-addresses-worldwide-says-akamai-state-of-the-internet-report/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/akamai-state-of-the-internet-report-finds-604m-ip-addresses.html The Introduction of New Domain Name Services: "Due Process" and Innovation by Tom Lenard For those interested in encouraging innovation in the domain name space -- which presumably includes the ICANN community currently convening in Dakar -- the recent episode in which VeriSign proposed, and then quickly withdrew, a bundle of new services (the VeriSign anti-abuse domain use policy) raises important issues that will be revisited as new gTLDs are introduced. Some of those issues are referenced in a recent blog post by Milton Mueller, but his emphasis on "due process" suggests a regulatory framework that is not friendly to innovation. http://www.circleid.com/posts/2011102_introduction_of_new_domain_name_services_due_process_and_innovation/ Luxembourg Offers Domain Companies Great Tax Advantages Recently I learned of the tremendous tax treat the country of Luxembourg offers companies involved in domain names. http://www.thedomains.com/2011/10/25/luxembourg-offers-domain-companies-great-tax-advantages/ DomainsBot Launches Improved Domain, Social Media Search And Suggestion Tools DomainsBot has launched a new improved website with new tools to make it easier to search for domain names, Twitter handles and Facebook pages, taking their service into the Web 2.0 age, making it easier for new companies and brands to find their new online identity across a range of communication tools. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16183 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/10/26/domainsbot-launches-improved-domain-social-media-search-and-suggestion-tools/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/domainsbot-launches-improved-domain-social-media-search-and-suggestion-tools.html ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** us: Screen Time Higher Than Ever for Children ... Despite the American Academy of Pediatricians? longstanding recommendations to the contrary, children under 8 are spending more time than ever in front of screens, according to a study scheduled for release Tuesday. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/25/us/screen-time-higher-than-ever-for-children-study-finds.html uk: Teenagers would rather lose TV than internet or mobile ? survey Young British teenagers would be less worried at being deprived of television than losing access to the internet or their mobile phones, as attachment to the medium slides among the young, according to new research from Ofcom. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/oct/25/teenagers-lose-tv-internet-mobile uk: More teenagers say they would miss their mobiles and the internet than watch TV [news release] For the first time 12-15s say they would miss their mobile (28 per cent) and the internet (25 per cent) more than TV (18 per cent), according to new Ofcom research. http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2011/10/25/more-teenagers-say-they-would-miss-their-mobiles-and-the-internet-than-watch-tv/ ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* Anonymous Attacks Child Porn Ring, But Where is the Media? The hacking group Anonymous recently shifted its sites from large e commerce websites to the web hosting company of a supposed online child pornography ring. According to a darknet "press release", the mysterious group of hackers targeted Freedom Hosting, which they claimed was providing links to child porn material. http://technorati.com/politics/article/anonymous-attacks-child-porn-ring-but/ nz: Pro-violence Facebook pages slated Facebook's failure to crack down on pro-rape and pro-assault pages has spurred women's rights groups into action. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/hutt-news/5844286/Pro-violence-Facebook-pages-slated nz: Cyber-bullying victim removed from school The teenage girl at the centre of a Makoura College Facebook cyber-bullying scandal has been taken out of school because the harassment is continuing, her stepfather's lawyer says. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/5851254/Cyber-bullying-victim-removed-from-school ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** uk: BT ordered to block Newzbin2 filesharing site within 14 days BT has been given 14 days to block access to a website accused of promoting illegal filesharing "on a grand scale" by Hollywood studios, in the first high court ruling of its kind under UK copyright law. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/oct/26/bt-block-newzbin2-filesharing-site uk: BT given 14 days to block access to Newzbin BT has 14 days to block access to a site that links to pirated movies, a judge has said. It follows a High Court ruling in July, ordering the ISP to block access to Newzbin 2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15459005 BT given 14 days to block access to Newzbin2 The High Court has given BT 14 days from today to block their customers' access to a copyright infringing website. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/october/bt-given-14-days-to-block-access-to-newzbin2/ Google: US law enforcement tried to get videos removed from YouTube Google faced down demands from a US law enforcement agency to take down YouTube videos allegedly showing police brutality earlier this year, figures released for the first time show. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/oct/25/google-transparency-report-released Google Links Music Store, Social Networking Google Inc. is building a music-download store that would work closely with its Google+ social network and could launch it within the next two weeks, according to people familiar with the matter. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203752604576645413691297494.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** The deification of Steve Jobs is Apple's greatest marketing triumph to date ... The truth? In many ways Apple is just another very profitable company, which in July announced that its revenues were $28.57bn, up 90% year-on-year, with profits of $7.31bn, up 124% year-on-year. It is visionary in its products and marketing techniques, but conventional in its working practices and goals. It is, like most world-munching corporations, a feudal hierarchy. There is nothing visionary in transferring the manufacture of your products from the US to China, and subcontracting the work to other companies, thereby circumventing labour laws, as Apple did 10 years ago. The working conditions of those who manufacture the products are appalling and ill paid. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/oct/21/tanya-gold-steve-jobs-deification-apple Faster Broadband, but Who Needs It? In the 1989 movie ?Field of Dreams,? a farmer builds a baseball park in an Iowa cornfield, believing that ?if you build it, he will come.? In a way, the global mobile industry is making the same leap of faith with Long Term Evolution, the technology behind the super-fast wireless broadband networks now being switched on around the world. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/24/technology/24iht-rawdata24.html Crucial Test for Nokia as Latest Smartphones Arrive When Stephen Elop, the chief executive of Nokia, introduces the company?s first phones bearing Microsoft Windows Phone software Wednesday, he will probably be met with equal parts good will and skepticism. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/24/technology/24iht-nokia24.html Singapore inches closer to mobile wallet Government appoints consortium to develop NFC infrastructure and payment services; estimates consumers can purchase with their mobile phones at 20,000 unique points by mid-2012. http://www.zdnetasia.com/singapore-inches-closer-to-mobile-wallet-62302636.htm us: Editorial: How to Fix the Wireless Market It?s good that wireless companies have agreed to warn customers when they are about to exceed monthly limits on voice, text or data usage or incur international roaming fees, which can result in thousands of dollars of extra charges. But consumers need more protection. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/26/opinion/how-to-fix-the-wireless-market.html ********************** SPAM ********************** Spammers create their own URL shortening services [IDG] Spammers have created their own services to shorten URLs (uniform resource locators) in an apparent attempt to circumvent security measures in place at well-known shortening websites, according to Symantec. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9221176/Spammers_create_their_own_URL_shortening_services http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/405282/spammers_create_their_own_url_shortening_services/ http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/102511-spammers-create-their-own-url-252364.html URL-Shortening Service Sites: Symantec discovers spammers leaving their own URL-shortening services open to the public URL shorteners have become a popular tool for spammers to hide their spam sites, but now there's a spam gang with at least 80 public URL-shortening service websites open for anyone to use. http://www.darkreading.com/cloud-security/167901092/security/client-security/231901629/spam-gang-puts-up-80-url-shortening-service-sites.html ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** Antisocial side of social media helps police track gangs For weeks, police came up empty in their search for a gang member charged with distributing the drug ecstasy ? until they turned to Facebook. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/antisocial-side-of-social-media-helps-police-track-gangs/2011/10/13/gIQAWzRgAM_story.html eu: Internet publishers liable for privacy invasion in each country material is accessible, ECJ rules Individuals can sue internet publishers in each country in which they believe their image has been harmed as a result of content posted online, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled.25 Oct 2011 http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/october/internet-publishers-liable-for-privacy-invasion-in-each-country-material-is-accessible-ecj-rules/ ********************** SECURITY ********************** New tool to help small businesses plan for cyberattack [IDG] With hackers increasingly setting their sights on small businesses, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission said Monday it will provide an online tool to help those businesses develop a cybersecurity strategy. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/102411-new-tool-to-help-small-252346.html Virus Infects Computers in Japan?s Parliament The episode is the latest in a series of mysterious cyberattacks that have raised concerns about the leakage of sensitive information. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/26/world/asia/virus-infects-computers-in-japans-parliament.html Cyber attacks against U.S. Energy Dept. disclosed The U.S. Department of Energy has been hit by recent successful cyber attacks and needs to do more to protect its computer systems, the department's internal watchdog said in a report on Monday. http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/10/24/idINIndia-60095620111024 Common Facebook.com mistypes lead to bots, malware In a rush to post a clever status update on Facebook? Be careful, you may enter in the wrong address for the popular social networking site and instead land on a page that can harm your computer. http://www.scmagazineus.com/common-facebookcom-mistypes-lead-to-bots-malware/article/215323/ ********************** PRIVACY ********************** Oz left behind on data breach laws: Verizon Australia's lack of data breach notification laws and the consequent failure of companies to take basic security measures is hurting the country's reputation as a leader in security standards, according to Verizon global security services director Jonathan Nguyen. http://www.zdnet.com.au/oz-left-behind-on-data-breach-laws-verizon-339324996.htm ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** US probes Syria's use of internet blocking equipment The US government is looking into claims that Syria restricted its citizens' access to the internet, using an American company's technology. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15437696 China detains Internet users for spreading rumors [IDG] Chinese authorities have started to detain Internet users for allegedly spreading online rumors, in its latest measure to control the country's social media sites. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/102611-china-detains-internet-users-for-252392.html http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9221197/China_detains_Internet_users_for_spreading_rumors http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/242589/china_detains_internet_users_for_spreading_rumors.html China vows stricter controls on social media China will intensify controls of online social media and instant messaging tools, the ruling Communist Party said in an agenda-setting document that marks the government's highest-level reaction so far to the explosive growth of microblogs. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/10/26/oukin-uk-china-internet-idUKTRE79P0Y120111026 http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/10/26/idINIndia-60126420111026 ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** More data, more transparency around government requests How do governments affect access to information on the Internet? To help shed some light on that very question, last year we launched an online, interactive Transparency Report. All too often, policy that affects how information flows on the Internet is created in the absence of empirical data. But by showing traffic patterns and disruptions to our services, and by sharing how many government requests for content removal and user data we receive from around the world, we hope to offer up some metrics to contribute to a public conversation about the laws that influence how people communicate online. http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/more-data-more-transparency-around.html au: Govt increases requests on Google user data The transparency report is compiled by Google every six months to inform its users just how many times governments around the world have requested private data for the purposes of investigation. It also includes a detailed breakdown of material removed from search results and sites like YouTube due to court order or user request. http://www.zdnet.com.au/govt-increases-requests-on-google-user-data-339324994.htm Rise in UK requests for Google content removal Google said it experienced a 71% jump in UK government and court requests to remove content from its web search, YouTube and other services. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15459123 Big boost in U.S. requests for Google user data U.S. government requests for Google user data jumped nearly 30% in the first half of this year compared to the prior six months, the search vendor said this week. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9221217/Big_boost_in_U.S._requests_for_Google_user_data us: A bipartisan attempt to regulate the Internet? Leaders of the House Judiciary Committee introduced a beefed-up version Wednesday of the Senate Judiciary Committee's proposed Protect IP Act, offering Hollywood new tools to go after foreign piracy hotbeds -- as well as opening online storage, content-sharing and auction sites in the U.S. and elsewhere to attack from copyright and trademark owners. http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2011/10/technology-a-bipartisan-attempt-to-regulate-the-internet.html New bill would target websites enabling copyright infringement [IDG] A new bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would allow law enforcement officials to shut down websites that enable or facilitate copyright infringement, leading some digital rights groups to suggest that YouTube, Twitter and online news sites could be targeted. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/102611-new-bill-would-target-websites-252437.html ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Q & A: The Weight of Memory: When an e-reader is loaded with thousands of books, does it gain any weight? An e-book weighs something in principle, but the amount is effectively unmeasurable, a computer science professor says. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/25/science/25qna.html ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Report: Asia dominates in Net speed, attacks Asia is home not only to some of the world's fastest Internet connections, but also the highest attack traffic, new statistics have shown. http://www.zdnetasia.com/report-asia-dominates-in-net-speed-attacks-62302633.htm United Nations sets global broadband targets The United Nations has set "ambitious" new targets for broadband uptake around the world. It calls on all countries to put in place broadband strategies by 2015. By that time it wants to see 60% of people in the developed world online, with a slightly lower target of 50% for people living in the developing countries. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15447329 UN Commission sets global broadband targets - Fourth meeting of the Broadband Commission endorses new broadband targets and issues global ?Broadband Challenge? [news release] The Broadband Commission for Digital Development has agreed on a set of four ?ambitious but achievable? new targets that countries around the world should strive to meet in order to ensure their populations fully participate in tomorrow?s emerging knowledge societies. http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2011/42.aspx UN sets goal of bringing broadband to half developing world?s people by 2015 [news release] A United Nations commission today called on governments and private industry to ensure that at least half the developing world?s population is using broadband Internet by 2015, stressing the crucial role this plays for economic growth and job creation. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40191 Big projects demand workers highly skilled in telecoms Telecoms may become the sector of choice for highly skilled technical candidates, with the National Broadband Network proving a major drawcard, recruiters say. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/it-jobs/big-projects-demand-workers-highly-skilled-in-telecoms/story-fna12gpc-1226175601039 nz: Telecom split approved - 99.8pc say yes Shareholders in Telecom have voted in favour of splitting off the company's network business. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10761749 nz: Telecom split first in world Telecom will make history by becoming the first "incumbent" telco in the world to voluntarily split in two next month, after Telecom shareholders rubber-stamped the structural separation of the company. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/5858284/Telecom-split-first-in-world +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2011 --------- David Goldstein email: goldstein_david at 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 FlanneryReceived on Thu Oct 27 2011 - 03:42:14 UTC
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