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://technewsreview.com.au/ - for daily updates in between postings.


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The domain name news is supported by auDA

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World slowdown hits net as web addresses broaden
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,24961869-7582,00.html

IDN Fast Track Process Update
http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-22jan09-en.htm

.MUSIC gTLD Proposal Launches
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=7130

Nominet Board fight rolls on
http://kierenmccarthy.com/2009/01/22/nominet-board-fights-roll-on/

Obama Administration Outlines Cyber Security Strategy
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2009/01/obama_administration_outlines.html

White House Technology Agenda
http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/technology/

US Patent Office Rejects Subdomains Patent
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=7115

Kentucky Governor to Appeal Online Gambling Decision
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=7115

Domain Names Can't Be Appropriated, Court Says
http://www.pcworld.com/article/158169/.html

Internet Commerce Association Executive Director Resigns
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/01/23/internet-commerce-association-executive-director-resigns/


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DOMAIN NAMES
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 - ICANN
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World slowdown hits net as web addresses broaden
You know times are tough when even the internet sector is talking about a slowdown. Growth in the global domain registration industry -- the sale of the .coms and .nets that make up internet addresses -- is expected to slow over the next three years, with the average price of domain names falling.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,24961869-7582,00.html
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24963248-15306,00.html

That Letter to ICANN from the NTIA by Antony Van Couvering
A cranky letter from the NTIA to ICANN, submitted in late December during ICANN's comment period for new top-level domains, has encouraged the awkward coalition of those opposed to new TLDs. The NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration), a division of the Department of Commerce, is the agency tasked with being ICANN's watchdog. So a letter from them carries some weight, though not as much as some people think.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090123_tld_letter_to_icann_from_ntia/

ICM Registry Publicly Posts Filings for Independent Review Panel Against ICANN on .XXX Domain
ICM Registry (proponents of the .xxx initiative) and Stuart Lawley, Chairman and President of the organization, have filed a 522-page brief in the ongoing Independent Review Process that began last June. The document with supporting witness statements from Becky Burr, former Commerce Department official, and Dr. Liz Williams, along with expert testimonies from Milton Mueller and Prof. Jack Goldsmith.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090123_icm_registry_review_panel_xxx_domain/

IDN Fast Track Process Update
ICANN recently proposed (for public comment) a Draft Implementation Plan for the introduction of Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) on a limited basis for ccTLDs. The Plan follows the recommendations of the ICANN?s policy making supporting organizations and advisory committees.
http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-22jan09-en.htm

Those Who Seek to Control the Internet Could Break It
As ICANN prepares to launch its biggest change in domain policy since the founding of the Internet, government efforts to hold onto control could lead to a splintering of the Internet along linguistic lines. If the effort succeeds, the potential benefits for business are massive.
http://ecommercetimes.com/story/65912.html

Revenge of the .xxx domain? by Brenden Kuerbis
In what may prove to be the biggest sleeper Internet governance issue of the year, ICM Registry has publicly posted its filings for the Independent Review Panel that will decide whether ICANN acted improperly in rejecting its application for a .xxx domain. ICM Registry participated in ICANN's 2004 round of "sponsored" top level domain additions. Its application to run a top level domain reserved for adult content provoked a global controversy when the Bush Administration, responding to a mass mobilization from its base of religious conservative groups, pressured ICANN to reverse its June 1, 2005 vote that the .xxx domain met its eligibility criteria. ICANN's Board eventually killed the application in March of 2007.
http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2009/1/23/4067728.html

ICANN: Let's talk together (multiple languages)
An explanation for how ICANN will be using video to help its global community
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=f5qGHGBw2Bk

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 - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
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Council backs .cym domain campaign
A CAMPAIGN for a .cym web domain has earned support from over 400 Welsh companies and organisations.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/01/24/council-backs-cym-domain-campaign-91466-22766480/

ENUM is celebrating two years of .CZ commercial operation
Two years ago, the CZ.NIC Association launched the operation of the ENUM system. This system allows for the transmission of regular telephone calls over the Internet ensuring that the caller does not have to pay minute charges for the effective calls. The number of its users has been growing continuously, the ENUM domain name registry currently includes 4 834 domains, representing 664 399 potential phone numbers. The number of domains has increased by 55 percent as against last year. Thanks to these figures the Czech Republic ranks among countries with the highest number of users of ENUM.
http://www.nic.cz/page/625/enum-is-celebrating-two-years-of-its-commercial-operation/

dotMobi Announces the Availability of One and Two Character Mobile Domain Names
dotMobi, the company behind .mobi ? the only Internet address created specifically for locating content that works on all mobile phones ? today announced that they will make available .mobi domain names with one and two alphanumeric characters, such as q.mobi, k9.mobi, 13.mobi or ny.mobi.
http://mtld.mobi/node/1315

DotMobi opens up one and two character domains
The organisation behind the .mobi top-level domain (TLD) is to allow domains of just one or two alphanumeric characters.
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2234965/dotmobi-opens-two-character
http://www.infomaticsonline.co.uk/vnunet/news/2234965/dotmobi-opens-two-character
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/NewsStory.aspx?story=94787

NIC Mexico Celebrates 20th Anniversary of .MX
ON February 1, NIC Mexico will celebrate 20 years of .MX domain names with a special promotion of domain names for US$20 less than the normal price through accredited registrars.
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/01/24/nic-mexico-celebrates-20th-anniversary-of-mx/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/general/nic-mexico-celebrates-20th-anniversary-of-.mx.html

NIC MEXICO CELEBRATES THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF .MX DOMAINS
NIC Mexico will celebrate, on February 1st, twenty years of .MX domains with the promotion One dollar less by every accomplished year.
http://www.nic.mx/es/Noticias_2?NEWS=306

.MUSIC gTLD Proposal Launches
Another gTLD proposal has launched, with .Music the latest one to catch our attention. .Music is aiming to give musicians, artists, bands, industry professionals and music organisations their own unique extension suffix on the web.
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=7130
http://www.domainnews.com/en/general/.music-gtld-proposal-launches.html
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/01/25/music-gtld-proposal-launches/

SIDN report on the Domain Name Debate 2008 now available
SIDN organised the Domain Name Debate 2008 at Zeist Castle on 13 November. On 25 November, we published a draft report on the debate on this website, in response to which a number of participants submitted feedback. A finalised version of the report, revised to take account of the feedback, is now available.
http://www.sidn.nl/ace.php/c,728,6022,,,,Report_on_the_Domain_Name_Debate_2008_now_available.html

Baidu.tel domain not in Chinese hands
The baidu.tel domain name has been secured by a Netherlands-based Internet services company instead of China's largest search engine, both called Baidu.
http://mis-asia.com/news/articles/baidu.tel-domain-not-in-chinese-hands
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/012309-baidutel-domain-not-in-chinese.html

Finally, .tel domain name is open for registration
Ram Malhotra, CEO of a multi-billion dollar MNC, has changed his mobile number thrice in 12 months. But neither his clients nor his employees have had any problem with it. They just remember his .tel domain ? RamMallhotra.tel and reach him anytime, despite the change in his contact information.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Infotech/ITeS/Finally_tel_domain_name_is_open_for_registration/articleshow/4024081.cms

Do Tell! Dot-Tel Gaining Momentum
If .com, .org, .edu, .tv and more aren?t enough for you, it seems the new .tel TLD is gaining steam.
http://www.billingworld.com/news/briefs/do-tell-dot-tell-gaining-momentum.html

Hallowed halls of learning secure .tel domains
Telnic Limited announced that universities on both sides of the Atlantic are registering their .tel domains.
http://telnic.com/downloads/Hallowed_Halls_buy_tel.pdf
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/01/24/hallowed-halls-of-learning-secure-tel-domains/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/general/hallowed-halls-of-learning-secure-.tel-domains.html

Travolution ?Dot-travel administrator outlines 2009 strategy"
Consumer awareness and getting large businesses on board are the priorities for top-level domain dot-travel this year.
http://www.travel.travel/index.php/2009/01/23/12309-travolution-dot-travel-administrator-outlines-2009-strategy/

Nominet Board fight rolls on
Yet another extraordinary statement has come out of Nominet - the .uk registry owner - today. This time, the chairman Bob Gilbert lambasts a ?number of false allegations? made in a resignation letter from former director Jim Davies.
http://kierenmccarthy.com/2009/01/22/nominet-board-fights-roll-on/

uk: Nominet statement regarding recent board matters
Statement from the Chairman of Nominet regarding the resignation of Jim Davies as a Non-Executive Director of Nominet
http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=5965

Resignation of Mr Jim Davies as a Non-Executive Director of Nominet
We acknowledge the resignation of Mr Davies as a Non-Executive Director of Nominet, published on 20th January 2009. His resignation follows a long-running dispute with the Board about his conduct as a Director following his election in May 2008. Mr Davies has made a number of false allegations in his resignation letter, together with details of sensitive and confidential board and HR matters - a clear breach of his duties.
http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=5966

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 - DNS SECURITY
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Obama Administration Outlines Cyber Security Strategy
President Barack Obama's administration has sketched out a broad new strategy to protect the nation's most vital information networks from cyber attack and to boost investment and research on cyber security. 
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2009/01/obama_administration_outlines.html

White House Technology Agenda
President Obama and Vice President Biden understand the immense transformative power of technology and innovation and how they can improve the lives of Americans. They will work to ensure the full and free exchange of information through an open Internet and use technology to create a more transparent and connected democracy. They will encourage the deployment of modern communications infrastructure to improve America's competitiveness and employ technology to solve our nation's most pressing problems -- including improving clean energy, healthcare costs, and public safety.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/technology/

Obama outlined his Cybersecurity Strategy on Day 2
The Washington Post has summarised the Cybersecurity elements in the policy document on homeland security posted on the Whitehouse website last Wednesday. I do recommend you read this and then consider the state of play regarding the "vision" or otherwise of the UK and European Governments. ... The struggles to preserve confidence in the Internet as safe and reliable will not be won unless we also improve cybersecurity by addressing long-standing vulnerabilities: from the domain name system to the single points of failure in the overcentralised and standardised communications and distribution networks over which we acess the Internet or on which we depend for food, power and fuel.
http://www.computerweekly.com/blogs/when-it-meets-politics/2009/01/day-2-and-obama-outlines-cyber.html

US cybersecurity ills will be a tough nut for Obama to crack
The Obama administration has published an overview of its plans to boost homeland security. Major items on the agenda range from defeating global terrorism to modernizing and protecting national infrastructure. One area that is of particular interest to technology enthusiasts is the new president's strategy for increasing network security.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20090122-us-cybersecurity-ills-will-be-a-tough-nut-for-obama-to-crack.html

New national cyber adviser to report to Obama
The administration of President Barack Obama will be hiring a new national cyber adviser, according to the agenda for homeland security released on his first full day in office.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10148263-83.html

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 - DOMAIN DISPUTES
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US Patent Office Rejects Subdomains Patent
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rejected 20 patent claims on the idea that a subdomain of a domain name could be patentable. Had the patent claim by the company Hoshiko been allowed, domain names such as news.cnet.com or business.timesonline.co.uk would have been subject to the patent.
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=7115
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/01/23/us-patent-office-rejects-subdomains-patent/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/general/us-patent-office-rejects-subdomains-patent.html

U.S. Patent Office Rejects All Twenty Claims of Subdomain Patent
More good news for EFF's Patent Busting Project! Last week, the United States Patent Office (PTO) rejected all twenty claims of the Internet subdomain patent [PDF] on the Project's Ten Most Wanted list. Based on a combination of prior art that EFF had supplied and similar Internet newsgroup postings, the PTO concluded that the ideas claimed by the patent were obvious and, therefore, unpatentable.
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/01/u-s-patent-office-rejects-all-twenty-claims-subdom
http://w2.eff.org/patent/wanted/patent.php?p=ideaflood

Patent office rejects subdomain patent claims
Technology firms are often hampered by patent disputes, but the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office called into question last week a patent that had the potential to disrupt the habits of millions of Internet users.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10147722-38.html

USPTO overturns patent for virtual subdomains
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has rejected 20 patent claims on an Internet subdomain patent, ruling that the concepts were obvious and therefore not patentable. The patent owner must now decide whether to amend the claims and make them more narrow, or to give up altogether.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20090121-virtual-subdomain-patent-deemed-obvious-gets-overturned.html

Kentucky Governor to Appeal Online Gambling Decision
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear is digging his heels in with the announcement the Commonwealth of Kentucky will appeal the appeal in its attempt to seize 141 gambling-related domain names.
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=7115
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/01/23/kentucky-governor-to-appeal-online-gambling-decision/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/general/kentucky-governor-to-appeal-online-gambling-decision.html

Kentucky State to appeal gambling ruling
The Beshear administration will appeal Tuesday's ruling by the Kentucky Court of Appeals that the state does not have authority to take control of 141 gambling Web sites.
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090122/NEWS0101/901220362/1008/

Kentucky Domain Seizure Overturned by Kentucky Court of Appeals
The Kentucky Governor's office wasted little time Wednesday, appealing Tuesday's decision by the Court of Appeals that domain names are not gambling devices under the meaning of the state law cited as the justification for the state's seizure of 141 domain names. By overturning the decision of the lower court, the Court of Appeals rejected the Governor's attempts to extend Kentucky law well beyond it's geographic limitations.
http://www.internetcommerce.org/Kentucky_Domain_Seizure_Overturned_by_Kentucky_Court_of_Appeals

iMEGA responds to Kentucky Governor?s Appeal
Lawyers representing the Commonwealth of Kentucky filed a notice to appeal in the matter of iMEGA v. Judge Thomas D. Wingate.
http://www.gambling911.com/gambling-news/imega-responds-kentucky-governor%E2%80%99s-appeal-012209.html

Kentucky to Take Internet Domain Seizure Case to State Supreme Court
One day after Kentucky's Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's decision to allow the state the ability to seize 141 internet domain names should sites hosted on those domains fail to block Kentucky residents access to online gambling and poker, the Commonwealth of Kentucky filed an appeal to the Kentucky Supreme Court challenging the decision.
http://www.pokernews.com/news/2009/01/kentucky-files-supreme-court-appeal-domain-seizure-1007.htm

Industry Reacts to Kentucky Internet Gambling Ruling and Appeal
To say that it has been an eventful week for the internet gambling and online poker industries would be an enormous understatement. A three judge Court of Appeals panel overturned a lower court decision on Tuesday, preserving 141 of the world?s largest internet gambling domain names for the foreseeable future. On Wednesday, the Commonwealth of Kentucky appealed to its Supreme Court. Poker News Daily took the pulse of the online poker industry to gauge its reaction to the recent events.
http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/industry-reacts-to-kentucky-internet-gambling-ruling-and-appeal-959/

Domain Names Can't Be Appropriated, Court Says
The Kentucky Court of Appeals has overturned a Circuit Court ruling that had authorized the state to seize the Internet domain names of 141 online gambling sites in an effort to block access to them from inside the state.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/158169/.html
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9126601
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/012209-kentucky-cannot-seize-internet-domain.html

Kentucky Appeals Court Overturns the Domain Seizure Order
The Kentucky appeals court has overturned the Domain Seizure order of 141 ?gambling? domain names. In a 2-1 decision the Kentucky Appeals court found the trial court, did not have subject matter jurisdiction over the case because domains are not ?gambling devices? as prohibited by the Kentucky statute:
http://www.thedomains.com/2009/01/20/kentucky-appeals-court-overturns-the-domain-seizure-order/

Hollywood mayor's bid for personal Web domain hits a wall
As Hollywood Mayor Peter Bober tries to make a name for himself in the political world, it appears he's encountered a glitch in the Internet world.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news/hollywood/sfl-flbbober0124sbjan24,0,3286353.story

Dover's Philbrick loses website name battle; plans appeal
Well-known local businessman Dan Philbrick lost his trademark infringement battle over website names used by a Washington-state based technology firm that are similar to his.
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090124/GJNEWS_01/701249908/

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 - MISCELLANEOUS
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Keywords - debate intensifies as Dutch court raises questions with the ECJ [reg req'd]
The controversy over whether keywords sold by search engines can infringe trade marks has intensified, after the Dutch Supreme Court referred five questions on the subject to the European Court of Justice (?ECJ?). 
http://www.law-now.com/law-now/2009/keydutchjan09.htm

Internet Commerce Association Executive Director Resigns
Michael Collins, Executive Director of the Internet Commerce Association has announced his resignation from his post with the organisation in an email to members of the ICA.
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/01/23/internet-commerce-association-executive-director-resigns/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/general/internet-commerce-association-executive-director-resigns.html

Michael Collins resigns from Internet Commerce Association
I'm sorry to have to report this evening that Michael Collins has resigned his position as Executive Director of the Internet Commerce Association in order to work on transitioning a retail business he owns from brick and mortar to the Internet. In an email sent to ICA members tonight Collins wrote:
http://dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2009/dailyposts/01-22-09-2.htm

Internet Commerce Association Executive Director Resigns
The Executive Director of the Internet Commerce Association (ICA), Michael Collins announced his resignation today. The resignation letter emailed to supporters explains Collins desire to work on his own business ventures.
http://www.domainnamenews.com/people/internet-commerce-association-executive-director-resigns/3776

Internet Domain Names Can Reap Big Rewards for Small Business
Most small businesses these days have a better understanding of the importance of having a web site to compete in this new internet-savvy consumer space. Companies who have tried to delay their move towards the Internet are warming up to the fact that if your business is not online - you?re very likely to go out of business in the near future.
http://www.newsli.com/2009/01/24/internet-domain-names-can-reap-big-rewards-for-small-business/

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 - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET
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TOP.COM Up For Grabs on Sedo
With a little over three days left of the Sedo auction, top.com has a highest bid so far of ?101,000 with its reserve already met.
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=7142
http://www.domainnews.com/en/general/top.com-up-for-grabs-on-sedo.html
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/01/25/topcom-up-for-grabs-on-sedo/

Behind Google's Glowing Earnings
The search giant's better-than-expected results encouraged analysts, but investors still see tough times ahead in online advertising
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2009/tc20090122_568291.htm

Light Action in the First Full Week of Domain Sales for 2009
After two consecutive weeks that were shortened by major holidays (Christmas and New Year's) the domain aftermarket has logged its first full week of 2009. Ironically, while sales held up surprisingly well over the holiday season, a lot of buyers seem to have gone on vacation this past week while everyone else was returning to work.
http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2009/01-20-09.htm

.ME Goes Hollywood ? Live Auction Just Days Away
Several highly-coveted .ME domains will be available for auction Thursday, Jan. 29, during DOMAINfest Global ?09 in Hollywood, CA.
http://www.nic.me/news.php?news=150

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RESEARCH PAPERS
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The influence of market development and policies on telecommunication investment
Players in communication markets are no longer the traditional alternative operators providing voice services, but a range of service providers including Internet Service Providers and cable television service providers who provide VoIP services and broadband access. This paper assembles some evidence on developments in investment by incumbent and alternative telecommunications operators during the period 2000-2005.
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/34/36/42037713.pdf

Internet Law in a Nutshell by Michael L. Rustad [Suffolk University Law School Research Paper]
Abstract: This clear, handily organized primer is ideally suited for law students or lawyers who need a brief exposition of the core cases and statutes shaping Internet law, technologies, and policies. The book begins with a clear review of the history, technology, and competing theories of the Internet that enables a deeper understanding of case law and statutory developments discussed in the substantive chapters. The book covers a broad array of Internet law topics including the history of the Internet to the rapidly evolving Web 3.0, competing theories of Internet governance, cyber jurisdiction and enforcement of judgments, choice and conflicts of law, cybertorts, online contracting and licensing, the protection of online intellectual property assets, the protection of online privacy, criminal liability for Internet activity, and European Community Directives such as the E-Commerce Directive, Brussels Regulation, and Rome I Regulation. This nutshell
 is the first student outline, study guide, or brief exposition of the law of the Internet. The emphasis on topics such as licensing and e-commerce transactions makes it an indispensable legal resource for anyone who works online, including high-tech and e-commerce companies, old economy businesses with websites, Internet developers, software programmers, graphic artists and individuals with websites. The Preface, Outline, and Chapter One are available to download here.
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1329092

Statement by European Academics on the Inappropriateness of Imposing Increased Internet Regulation in the EU by Martin E. Cave, Nico Van Eijk, Luigi Prosperetti, Richard Collins, Alexandre De Streel, Pierre Larouche & Tommaso M. Valletti
Abstract: The European institutions are currently debating the desirability of imposing restrictions on the way in which internet service providers (ISPs) in the EU can manage their networks and develop their offerings, under the broad heading of 'network neutrality'.
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1329926

Playing Hide and Seek: How to Protect Virtual Pornographers and Actual Children on the Internet by Audrey Rogers [Villanova Law Review]
Abstract: This Article considers the Supreme Court's suggestion that creating a market for virtual pornography is not only innocuous to actual children, but could actually protect them, and recommends a mechanism to regulate the virtual pornography market in a manner that balances the rights of virtual pornographers with the prosecution of actual child pornographers. Part II traces the events leading up to the Free Speech decision, commencing with the enactment of the Child Pornography Prevention Act of 1996 (CPPA). Part III discusses the Free Speech opinion and the post-Free Speech cases. Part IV examines the PROTECT Acts -- the legislative response to the Supreme Court's decision. Part V concludes that regulation of the virtual pornography industry is the most effective method of protecting children and free speech rights. Building upon existing statutory record-keeping provisions and adapting them to virtual pornography can best accomplish such
 regulation.
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1330590

Protecting Children on the Internet: Mission Impossible? by Audrey Rogers
Abstract: Congress's latest effort to protect children from on-line predators banned the pandering or soliciting of child pornography regardless of whether the images were actual or virtual. My paper discusses last term's Supreme Court decision in United States v. Williams that upheld the prohibition and ruled that an offer to engage in illegal activity is unprotected speech. I place Williams within the larger context of the classic impossibility defense that differentiates between factually and legally frustrated attempts, and show how the majority and dissenting opinions fall into these two camps. I propose that the revival of the impossibility debate sparked by Internet cases is misguided and that, in fact, the Internet provides the best reason for rejecting impossibility as a bar to prosecuting predators.
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1330628

Child Pornography's Forgotten Victims by Audrey Rogers [Pace Law Review]
Abstract: The goal of this paper is to demonstrate that possession of child pornography is not a victimless crime. It will illustrate the problem and explain the harm suffered by its victims. It will then trace factors that may have contributed to the perception that possession of child pornography is a victimless offense. The first factor is the dual nature of the child pornography laws that addresses both actual and future harm. When this duality is applied to possessors, their link to actual harm appears attenuated because the possessor is not involved in the acts of sexual abuse inherent in producing the images. The second factor is that a number of scholars have criticized generally possession offenses as a tool for preemptive prosecutions, but they have not exempted child pornography from their condemnation. Finally, technology itself is a cause. The growth of the Internet and the ability to find images from the comfort of one's home further
 weakens the connection between the victim and the viewer; this distance is exacerbated by a general sense that nothing is real in cyberspace.
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1331126

Internet Safety Technical Task Force Report by Danah Boyd
A year ago, I teamed up with John Palfrey and Dena Sacco to co-direct the Internet Safety Technical Task Force. I came to this project with the strong conviction that policy concerning children's safety should be grounded in data. In other words, rather than focus on what might be, it would behoove us to take a look at what is and propose solutions to address known problems in ways that align with the logic and social conditions in which kids live. For years, I had been watching policy unfold that would do nothing to help the hurting kids that I met. I was frustrated and wanted to make a difference.
http://www.zephoria.org/thoughts/archives/2009/01/20/internet_safety.html

Youth perspective essential
I've been reading social media scholar danah boyd's PhD dissertation, "Taken Out of Context: American Teen Sociality in Networked Publics," the result of her 2.5-year enthnograpic study of how teens use social-network sites. The study is unique in a couple of ways: she was like an embedded reporter, not a data cruncher, and she approached her fieldwork very differently than most adults - "with the belief that the practices of teenagers must be understood on their own terms."
http://netfamilynews.org/2009/01/youth-perspective-essential.html

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INTERNET USE
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Websites 'must be saved for history'
Historians face a "black hole" of lost material unless urgent action is taken to preserve websites and other digital records, the head of the British Library has warned.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jan/25/preserving-digital-archive

We're in danger of losing our memories
We have to make sure digital doesn't mean ephemeral, says Lynne Brindley, the head of the British Library
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jan/25/internet-heritage

Google plans to make PCs history
Google is to launch a service that would enable users to access their personal computer from any internet connection, according to industry reports. But campaigners warn that it would give the online behemoth unprecedented control over individuals' personal data.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jan/25/google-drive-gdrive-internet

Google's GDrive 'will make the PC redundant'
Google is on the verge of launching a system that experts believe could make the personal computer as we know it virtually redundant.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/google/4337830/Googles-GDrive-will-make-the-PC-redundant.html

Internet users worldwide surpass 1 billion in December
... Global Internet usage reached over 1 billion unique visitors in the month of December, with 41.3 percent coming from the Asia-Pacific region, according to a report released Friday by comScore.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10149534-93.html

Global Internet Audience Surpasses 1 billion Visitors, According to comScore [news release]
comScore, Inc. reported that total global Internet audience (age 15 and older from home and work computers) has surpassed 1 billion visitors in December 2008, based on data from the comScore World Metrix audience measurement service.
http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=2696

Number of Internet users tops one billion: comScore [AFP]
The global number of Internet users has surpassed one billion with China accounting for the largest population of Web surfers, digital research firm comScore Inc. reported on Friday.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/number-of-internet-users-tops-one-billion-comscore-20090124-7our.html
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/number-of-internet-users-tops-one-billion-comscore-20090124-7our.html

Behind Google's Glowing Earnings
The search giant's better-than-expected results encouraged analysts, but investors still see tough times ahead in online advertising
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2009/tc20090122_568291.htm

Britannica reaches out to the web
The Encyclopaedia Britannica has unveiled a plan to let readers help keep the reference work up to date.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7846986.stm

Pope launches Vatican on YouTube
Pope Benedict XVI has launched his own dedicated channel on the popular video sharing website, YouTube.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7846446.stm

Pope becomes one of world's oldest YouTube stars
Pope Benedict on Friday became one of the oldest people to have his own YouTube channel, and he cautioned the young to use new media wisely and to avoid on-line obsession that can isolate them from real-life.
http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-37643920090125
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE50M3A620090123

Staff Finds White House in the Technological Dark Ages
If the Obama campaign represented a sleek, new iPhone kind of future, the first day of the Obama administration looked more like the rotary-dial past.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012104249.html

Tech-savvy Obama keeps online lifeline
Barack Obama is likely to become America's first emailing president, as part of sweeping changes to the way the White House uses technology aimed at making his presidency the most open and connected in history.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/23/obama-white-house-barackobama

Barack Obama to use BlackBerry as president, according to reports
Barack Obama could become the first sitting US president to use email, after reports suggested he may be in line for a new spy-proof smartphone. ... But after concerns about security and legal issues, close advisers and government agents have been delaying a decision on whether Obama would be able to use a similar device while in office.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/21/barack-obama-blackberry-national-security

Obama clings to his BlackBerry [Bloomberg News]
President Barack Obama has overruled the concerns of the U.S. Secret Service and the National Security Agency and will keep his BlackBerry, a spokesman, Robert Gibbs, said Thursday.
http://iht.com/articles/2009/01/22/technology/22bamaberry-414102.php

Obama plans to keep his BlackBerry [IDG]
President Barack Obama will keep his beloved BlackBerry, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said on Thursday.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/01/22/Obama_plans_to_keep_his_BlackBerry_1.html
http://www.pcworld.com/article/158172/.html

EBay?s Income Declines 31% as Economy Reduces Traffic
The turbulent economy battered eBay, and the online marketplace reported its profit fell 31 percent and that it had its first revenue decline since it started in 1995.
http://nytimes.com/2009/01/22/technology/companies/22ebay.html

ENISA survey on resilience of communication networks shows downtime is only 10 hours per year [news release]
The EU Agency ENISA [the European Network and Information Security Agency] launches a report on resilience of communication networks. The survey reveals a better than expected network availability, with only 10 hours downtime a year. Availability is vital not only to business, but also to private consumers. Service providers show a higher level of service to both actors than expected.
http://enisa.europa.eu/pages/02_01_press_2009_01_22_network_resilience.html

Are you an internet addict?
If you suffer withdrawal symptoms when away from your email or find yourself surfing the net late into the night ? every night ? help is at hand. Internet addiction is now considered a clinical disorder in some parts of the world.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4827686a28.html

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SOCIAL NETWORKING
**********************
Cybercrooks Target Social Networks [MIS Asia]
The distribution of malware on social networking sites first occurred in small amounts towards the end of 2007, but that trend appears to be on the rise.

According to a report from MessageLabs Intelligence, which specializes in the analysis of messaging security issues and threats, a popular tactic in 2008 among cyber criminals involved the creation of fictitious accounts on social networking sites. These fake accounts were then used to post malicious links, which usually led to a phishing site, to legitimate users.
http://mis-asia.com/news/articles/social-networking-sites-a-hotbed-for-cyber-crime
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/158271/.html

UK Twitter traffic up 974 per cent in a year
The latest figures from Hitwise shows Twitter's popularity has grown tenfold among UK users. Traffic to microblogging service Twitter has increased by 974 per cent in the last year, according to the latest figures from Hitwise.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/twitter/4307715/Twitter-traffic-up-974-per-cent-in-a-year.html

Why Britain is suddenly all a-twitter
It was established as a communication tool for geeks and now counts showbusiness stars and the American President among its users.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/why-britain-is-suddenly-all-atwitter-1513423.html

Twitter to hit the big time with explosion in microblogging
Twitter, the fast-growing microblogging and social media site, is about to change gears.
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article5565696.ece

Revolution, Facebook-Style
Only a few hours after Israel?s first air strike against Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip late last month, more than 2,000 protesters marched through the streets of downtown Cairo, carrying Palestinian flags. This began what would become weeks of protests, in which thousands of Egyptians of all different political leanings gathered in Egypt?s main cities, in public squares and at mosques and universities. Hundreds were arrested. In every city, the biggest presence at the protests was the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist political organization, active in many countries throughout the Middle East, that seeks to govern according to Islamic law. Other, smaller demonstrations were put together, sometimes spontaneously, by leftist groups and student organizations.
http://nytimes.com/2009/01/25/magazine/25bloggers-t.html

uk: Wife murdered over Facebook status
A man who murdered his estranged wife after becoming "enraged" when she changed her marital status to single on Facebook is beginning a life sentence in prison.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/facebook/4326179/Wife-murdered-for-changing-Facebook-status.html

**********************
NEW TECHNOLOGIES
**********************
Apple's holier-than-thou attitude may be its salvation
Umberto Eco once wrote an intriguing essay about the differences between the Apple Macintosh and the PC. "The fact is," he wrote, "that the world is divided between users of the Macintosh computer and users of MS-DOS compatible computers. I am firmly of the opinion that the Macintosh is Catholic and that DOS is Protestant. The Macintosh is... cheerful, friendly, conciliatory; it tells the faithful how they must proceed step by step to reach - if not the kingdom of heaven - the moment in which their document is printed. It is catechistic: The essence of revelation is dealt with via simple formulae and sumptuous icons. Everyone has a right to salvation."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jan/25/apple-umberto-eco-obama-microsoft

Flexible display screens: Bend me, shape me, anyway you want me
Over the years, the screens on laptops, televisions, mobile phones and so on have got sharper, wider and thinner. They are about to get thinner still, but with a new twist. By using flexible components, these screens will also become bendy. Some could even be rolled up and slipped into your pocket like a piece of electronic paper. These thin sheets of plastic will be able to display words and images; a book, perhaps, or a newspaper or a magazine. And now it looks as if they might be mass produced in much the same way as the printed paper they are emulating.
http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12971020

Brussels to launch new 'green ICT' plan
The European Commission will publish an action plan in March to boost the role of ICT in helping to green the EU economy. But extra effort from the technology industry may be necessary.
http://euractiv.com/en/infosociety/brussels-launch-new-green-ict-plan/article-178747

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CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION
************************************************
Challenging Assumptions About Online Predators
Are your kids safe online? A recent report about this sensitive subject is stirring up controversy. The study, released by Harvard University's Berkman Center for Internet & Society, finds that it's far more likely that children will be bullied by their peers than approached by an adult predator online.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/24/AR2009012400182.html

Internet Porn The Victor At The Supreme Court In ACLU v. Mukasey
Efforts to fight Internet regulation scored a major victory yesterday, as the Supreme Court rejected the Bush administration's appeal of a 3rd Circuit decision that overturned the Child Online Protection Act. COPA, fi required owners of websites with "material harmful to minors" to take it upon themselves to prevent minors from getting access to their sites. The 3rd Circuit, however, ruled that it unnecessarily tramples on the First Amendment to place the burden on the website operators, when tools for parents to control what their children see online exist. Jack Balkin explains:
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/risky-business/2009/01/22/internet-porn-the-victor-at-the-supreme-court-in-aclu-v-mukasey.html

Supreme Court Ends Government's Ten-Year Quest for Internet Censorship Standard
The Supreme Court Wednesday dealt the final blow to the government's 10-year campaign to place onerous restrictions on Internet content. The Court declined to hear the government's appeal of lower court rulings that declared the Child Online Protective Act as unconstitutional.
http://cdt.org/press/20090121press.php

us: Rules to curb online bullying raise concerns - Do new laws and policies sparked by Missouri teen?s suicide go too far?
Avery Doninger has put off going to college so she can volunteer with AmeriCorps ? at least when she?s not in court. Doninger, 18, graduated from Lewis Mills High School in Burlington, Conn., last June, but she has not left it behind. She is at the center of a landmark free-speech case, stemming from her days at the school, that appears headed for the Supreme Court.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28629118/

us: Conn. AG to MySpace: Turn over sex offender data
The Connecticut attorney general's office on Friday served MySpace a subpoena demanding that MySpace hand over the identities of registered sex offenders it claims the social-networking site discovered and subsequently removed from its roster of members.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10149435-38.html

us: FTC to Host Advertising Literacy Forum; Workshop Examines Kids in a Commercial World [news release]
The Federal Trade Commission staff will host a workshop on March 12, 2009 to gather input for its advertising literacy initiative, which will educate and empower tweens to be better informed consumers of information. This initiative seeks to raise awareness among tweens, or preadolescents, about advertising and marketing messages; improve their ability to read, analyze, and appreciate advertisements; and show them the benefits of being an informed consumer. The initiative addresses interest from Congress, researchers, parents, and consumer groups about kids as consumers in a commercial world.
http://ftc.gov/opa/2009/01/literacy.shtm

au: Hey, Senator - leave us discerning viewers of pornography alone
The famous maxim "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" was never actually uttered by Voltaire. It was the work of an upright lady named Evelyn Hall, summarising his attitudes in her book, The Friends Of Voltaire. An exacting biographer, she was aghast to find the quote misattributed. And she might rethink writing it at all in the era of the internet. In any case, Stephen Conroy probably wouldn't let her.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/01/23/1232471591602.html

au: Government dodges questions on axed NetAlert web filter funding
THE Rudd Government has dumped a $125 million program to provide families with web filtering software as it prepares to test a mandatory web censorship scheme.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24963394-2,00.html

**********************
ONLINE TV & MUSIC
**********************
Music pirates will not be disconnected from the internet
Internet service providers will not be forced to disconnect users who repeatedly flout the law by illegally sharing music and video files, The Times has learnt.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5586761.ece

Is music's future on the Isle of Man?
A generation ago, the Isle of Man gave the world the Bee Gees. Now it says it wants to help the wounded music industry stay alive.
http://iht.com/articles/2009/01/23/business/isle26.1-414052.php

us: RIAA gets a chance to overturn video streaming order in music piracy case
A federal appeals court in Boston has agreed to hear a motion filed by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) that seeks to prevent courtroom proceedings in a music piracy case from being streamed live on the Internet.
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9126662

Pirates 'streaming' Hollywood's latest into your home
British cinema goers will have to wait until it opens next week to see if The Curious Case of Benjamin Button deserves the Oscar and Bafta nominations showered upon it. But thousands of people across the UK have already watched the film on their computers at home, thanks to the latest internet piracy phenomenon: live "streaming" of movies on YouTube-style websites.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/pirates-streaming-hollywoods-latest-into-your-home-1515330.html

Slicing Decades of Video for New Life on the Web
Media companies are rushing to repackage their videos for the Internet, and some say they can hardly keep up with advertiser demand for more. Video clips of TV shows and behind-the-scenes outtakes are omnipresent online ? but how do they get there?
http://nytimes.com/2009/01/26/technology/internet/26vault.html

**********************
MOBILE/WIRELESS
**********************
Obama?s New ?BlackBerry? May Run Windows
Nobody?s saying anything official or on the record about this, but reports popping up all across the Web indicate that while President Obama may be able to keep a mobile phone/e-mail device while in office, that device may be something more exotic than a BlackBerry from Research in Motion.
http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/obama-may-carry-top-secret-pda/
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/obamas-new-blackberry-may-actually-run-windows/

564 million 3G subscribers in Asia Pacific by 2013: Frost & Sullivan
The Asia-Pacific's 3G subscriber base is expected to top 564 million by 2013, according to analyst firm Frost & Sullivan. This accounts for about 18.2 percent of all mobile users.
http://mis-asia.com/news/articles/564-million-3g-subscribers-in-asia-pacific-by-2013-frost-_and_-sullivan
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/158290/.html

Libya's wireless web access leap
Libya's only internet service provider is launching its first commercial wireless network which it says is one of the most advanced in the world.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7845905.stm

WiMax Forum looks toward roaming [IDG]
The WiMax Forum kicked off an initiative on Thursday that someday may be critical for making WiMax a true rival to cellular networks.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/012309-wimax-forum-looks-toward.html
http://www.pcworld.com/article/158198/.html

WiMAX Forum announces launch of Global Roaming Program
The WiMAX Forum? today announced the launch of its Global Roaming Program that allows operators and vendors to easily obtain the information required to establish WiMAX roaming services. The program is now live and can be easily accessed through a link on the WiMAX Forum public web site at www.wimaxforum.org or directly at www.wimaxroaming.org .
http://www.wimaxforum.org/news/pr/view?item_key=1ec407931e9b967e2148ccd227cb8363886eef3d

Mobile phone market to shrink in 2009
The global mobile phone market will shrink 9 percent in 2009, its first decline since 2001 and with the first half set to be especially grim as economic slowdown chokes consumer spending, Strategy Analytics (SA) said.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUKTRE50M1N820090123

**************************
ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL
**************************
Keywords - debate intensifies as Dutch court raises questions with the ECJ [reg req'd]
The controversy over whether keywords sold by search engines can infringe trade marks has intensified, after the Dutch Supreme Court referred five questions on the subject to the European Court of Justice (?ECJ?). 
http://www.law-now.com/law-now/2009/keydutchjan09.htm

British Police will not target offenders against law on violent porn
Officers will not actively target members of the public to track down those who own violent pornography banned under a new law, police chiefs admitted yesterday.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jan/26/police-offenders-law-violent-porn

Worm infects millions of computers worldwide
A new digital plague has hit the Internet, infecting millions of personal and business computers in what seems to be the first step of a multistage attack. The world's leading computer security experts do not yet know who programmed the infection, or what the next stage will be.
http://nytimes.com/2009/01/23/technology/internet/23worm.html
http://iht.com/articles/2009/01/23/technology/23worm.php

Mystery virus hits 15 million PCs around the world
A mysterious computer virus, the purpose of which has yet to become apparent, is spreading so fast that it has already infected more than 15 million computers around the world. Some six million machines have been contaminated in the past three days alone by the virus, a worm known as Downadup, Conficker or Kido.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/mystery-virus-hits-15-million-pcs-around-the-world-1515314.html

British hacker wins right to challenge US extradition
The British computer hacker Gary McKinnon has today won permission to launch a fresh high court challenge against attempts to extradite him to America.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jan/23/british-hacker-gary-mckinnon

UK Pentagon hacker can challenge U.S. extradition
A British computer expert accused by the United States of the "biggest military hack of all time" won the right on Friday to launch a new legal challenge against plans to extradite him.
http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-37644020090125

COMBATING CYBER CRIME: Global Network Operates 24/7 [news release]
Cyber crooks have become so organized and businesslike that they use online forums to advertise illegal wares, buy and sell computer viruses, and traffic in stolen identities?all for huge profits.
http://www.fbi.gov/page2/jan09/fordham_011409.html

**************************
PRIVACY
**************************
U.K. Orders ISPs To Archive Private E-mail Records
In less than two months, British Internet service providers will be required to maintain records on U.K. citizens' e-mail traffic.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/privacy/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212902214

**********************
CENSORSHIP
**********************
So Conroy's Internet filter won't block political speech, eh? 
Stilgherrian writes: "Freedom of speech is fundamentally important in a democratic society and there has never been any suggestion that the Australian Government would seek to block political content," intoned Senator Stephen Conroy on Tuesday. Yet the very next day, ACMA added a page from what's arguably a political website to its secret blacklist of Internet nasties.
http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20090123-So-Conroys-internet-filter-wont-block-political-speech-eh-.html

China says Internet crackdown to be "long-lasting"
China sought Friday to portray its Internet crackdown as a campaign to protect youth from filth and nothing to do with stifling political dissent, with an official promising long-lasting action against "vulgarity."
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE50M19P20090123

**************************
GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
**************************
Google ready to pursue its agenda in Washington
The executives and employees of Google Inc., whose whose headquarters is in Mountain View, Ca., overwhelmingly supported Obama's candidacy. Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt is now as likely as any corporate chieftain to get his calls to the White House returned.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-google24-2009jan24,0,5572738.story

Ignorance no excuse over new NZ copyright law
Thousands of New Zealand businesses are unaware they could be in breach of a copyright internet law to come into force next month, says Business New Zealand.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4827443a13.html

Copyright issue: Select Committee got it right, says ISPANZ - Section 92A must be stopped [news release]
The Internet Service Providers Association (ISPANZ) respectfully requests that the Government not bring into force Section 92A of the Copyright Act on February 28. Section 92A is poorly constructed law designed to force ISPs to cut off the Internet access of those accused of repeat infringement of Copyright.
http://ispanz.org.nz/press_release35

Obama Plan Says Cyber Infrastructure Is 'strategic' [IDG]
The Obama administration has published a high-level plan to protect U.S. computer networks, saying it considers cyber infrastructure "a strategic asset" and will appoint a cyber adviser who will report directly to the president.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/158199/.html
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9126641

House panel backs $3 billion Internet stimulus
The House Energy and Commerce Committee backed including about $3 billion in grants to expand Internet service as part of a larger economic stimulus bill, including a provision requiring "open access" in wireless service and on the Internet.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUKTRE50L67O20090122

us: High-Speed Internet Grants Find Support in House
The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday approved rules for billions in government funds to spur high-speed Internet networks in unserved and underserved areas.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123265622888307299.html

us: House panel moves forward with broadband stimulus [IDG]
A U.S. House of Representatives committee took the first step toward including more than $37 billion of technology-related spending in a massive economic stimulus bill by approving a new program aimed at bringing broadband to rural and other underserved areas.
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9126626

US cybersecurity ills will be a tough nut for Obama to crack
The Obama administration has published an overview of its plans to boost homeland security. Major items on the agenda range from defeating global terrorism to modernizing and protecting national infrastructure. One area that is of particular interest to technology enthusiasts is the new president's strategy for increasing network security.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20090122-us-cybersecurity-ills-will-be-a-tough-nut-for-obama-to-crack.html

New national cyber adviser to report to Obama
The administration of President Barack Obama will be hiring a new national cyber adviser, according to the agenda for homeland security released on his first full day in office.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10148263-83.html

us: New Mexico Mayor takes on cyberstalkers
New Mexico is taking another look at cyberstalking with legislation that could mean serious prison time for those who use the Internet to harass someone.
http://kob.com/article/stories/S758147.shtml?cat=502

*********************************
COMMENT, MICROSOFT & DEVELOPMENTS
*********************************
Apple Mac 25th Anniversary: The cult of Mac is still going strong
The Apple Macintosh was launched 25 years ago, and laid the foundations for a computing revolution
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/apple/4317083/Apple-Mac-25th-Anniversary-The-cult-of-Mac-is-still-going-strong.html

Apple's first Macintosh turns 25
The Macintosh - the first Apple computer to bear the name - turns 25 on 24 January. The machine debuted in 1984 and kicked off a product line that were Apple's flagship computers for many years.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7846575.stm

Microsoft and Google: Internet Giants Return to Basics
Microsoft and Google have more in common than the dominance of their respective markets. Both are also essentially one-trick ponies that have used their prodigious cash flows to pursue many side projects in attempts to diversify. And neither has had much success.
http://nytimes.com/2009/01/22/technology/22views.html

Hate Vista? You May Like the Fix
For an operating system that took five years to create, Windows Vista?s reputation went down in flames amazingly quickly. Not since Microsoft Bob has anything from the software giant drawn so much contempt and derision. Not every company lives to see the day when its customers beg, plead and sign petitions to bring back the previous version of its flagship product.
http://nytimes.com/2009/01/22/technology/personaltech/22pogue.html

Microsoft Slams on the Brakes
With no recovery in sight, CEO Ballmer is cutting costs. But without long-promised innovation, the giant will struggle to outperform the world economy
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2009/tc20090122_057653.htm

Microsoft Slashes Jobs as Sales Fall
With sales of computers deteriorating by the day, the PC industry?s dominant players ? Microsoft and Intel ? have arrived at the stark realization that the slump in sales could last a long time, perhaps years.
http://nytimes.com/2009/01/23/technology/companies/23soft.html

Microsoft to cut 5,000 jobs in its first major layoff
Worried by a rapid decline in orders for personal computers, Microsoft, the world's largest software company, initiated the first broad layoffs in its history Thursday and warned of waning technology spending in the months and even years to come.
http://iht.com/articles/2009/01/22/technology/msft.4-413931.php

Microsoft cuts jobs and tech firms feel the pain
The world's largest software company, Microsoft, is slashing 5,000 jobs in the first radical cutbacks in its 34-year history as the global economic downturn sinks its teeth into the once dynamic, historically resilient technology industry.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jan/23/microsoft-job-losses

**********************
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
**********************
au: Govt urged to release broadband report
The Federal Opposition has renewed calls for the Government to release a new report on its proposed national broadband network.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/22/2472326.htm

Oz broadband report spurs bidder talks
The federal Government will begin negotiating with bidders to build the $15 billion national broadband network, after receiving advice from its expert panel yesterday.
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24951469-15306,00.html

UK 'broadband for all' plan under threat
Last week's dire profit warning from BT has put the company's plans to build a new super-fast broadband network for 10 million British homes in jeopardy. The warning also appears to have made it critical that the rest of the telecoms industry now help meet the estimated ?3.5bn cost of realising the government's ambition to bring some form of broadband to every home by 2012.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jan/25/telecommunications-broadband-bt-richard-wray-business

US Broadband Bill Disappoints Nearly Everyone
Critics say there's not enough money in the bill and that distributing funds through grants instead of tax credits will hamper job creation
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2009/tc20090116_733609.htm

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ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR CHILD PORN
**********************************
uk: Jail for 400,000 porn images man
A man from Merseyside who had one of the "largest collections" of child pornography ever found in the UK has been jailed, a court has heard.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/7848469.stm


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

(c) David Goldstein 2009



 ---------


David Goldstein
address: 4/3 Abbott Street
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AUSTRALIA
email: Goldstein_David §yahoo.com.au
phone: +61 418 228 605 (mobile); +61 2 9665 5773 (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



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