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 *************************************************** The internet at sort-of-40. How did we get here? The Guardian wants your input http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/aug/11/internet-computing The End of Domain Tasting : AGP Deletes Decrease 99.7% http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-12aug09-en.htm Three Registrars Lose Accreditation http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-10aug09-en.htm DotEco Bids Heat Up - Catfight Anyone? http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090812_doteco_bids_heat_up_catfight_anyone/ Why Can't We Make the Internet Secure? by John Levine http://www.circleid.com/posts/why_cant_we_make_the_internet_secure/ Agencies struggling over control of cybersecurity overblown, say DHS officials http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090812_8505.php Sedo?s Q2 Domain Market Study Shows Market Continues to Grow http://www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2453 ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** The internet at sort-of-40. How did we get here? The Guardian wants your input The internet is sort-of-40 this year. Not in the sense of a Hollywood actor who is in reality much older but prefers to act vague, however. In the sense that if you set the October 1969 networking of US research universities through Arpanet as the start point then it is a significant birthday. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/aug/11/internet-computing Politicians should stay out of Net policing by Axel Pawlik, managing director of the Ripe NCC perspective: The Digital Britain report proposed that ISPs should adopt a more active regulatory role to help curb piracy and the distribution of illegal content. Yet it is debatable whether ISPs are best placed to act as the gatekeepers of the Internet, because the control they have over the networks is limited. ... Governments should look after the interests of the public by taking an active role in the debates and policy-making processes of the Internet community. They also need to work closely with the community to ensure an appropriate, flexible, regulatory framework is in place to help stimulate innovation and growth. There are already examples in the internet industry of the problems over-regulation can produce. Afnic, the French registry for the .fr country code top-level domains, is a classic illustration of how regulation can impede growth. http://www.zdnetasia.com/insight/internet/0,39044877,62056558,00.htm ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** The End of Domain Tasting : AGP Deletes Decrease 99.7% ICANN is today posting an AGP (Add Grace Period) Deletes Status Report to publicize how use of the AGP has dramatically changed following implementation of the AGP Budget Provision and the AGP Limits Policy. The Provision was approved by the ICANN Board and the Policy the outcome of the GNSO Policy Development Process on Domain Tasting. The report provides statistical information on AGP deletes activity by TLD for the period June 2008 through April 2009. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-12aug09-en.htm Three Registrars Lose Accreditation Three registrars have lost their accreditation. South America Domains Ltd doing business as namefrog.com, Simply Named Inc and Tahoe Domains Inc have not had their Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) renewed upon expiration for failure to comply with the requirements of the RAA. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-10aug09-en.htm Is ICANN Cooking Up a Storm? ICANN's plan to open the door to a vast assortment of new top-level domain names could offer golden opportunities to many rights holders. However, it could also open a Pandora's box of as-yet-unforeseen problems. Large and small rights holders alike should be alert to the discussions surrounding the proposed changes in the naming system, and make sure to provide input early and often. http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/67824.html Icann axes three registrars Icann has revoked the accreditation of three web registrars for various offenses. The company said that it would not be renewing the accreditation of South American Domains, Simply Named and Tahoe Domains. All three of the firms are based in the US and host between 230 and 300 top level domains each. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2247696/icann-axes-three-registrars http://uk.news.yahoo.com/16/20090812/ttc-icann-axes-three-registrars-6315470.html ICANN Culls Three More Domain Name Registrars ICANN has announced that three more domain name registrars have lost their accreditation due to non-compliance with the RAA. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090810_icann_culls_three_more_domain_name_registrars/ Domain Registrars Lose Accreditation Three South American domain registrars have lost their accreditation according to ICANN. The reason for this is that they have failed to comply with the requirements of the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA). http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2009/08/10/domain-registrars-lose-accreditation Q: What's a top-level domain? A: Practically anything. Forget the Hummer or HDTV. Having your own personal top-level Internet domain could be the next status symbol. http://gcn.com/articles/2009/08/10/technicalities-icann-expands-top-level-domains.aspx ICANN: Domain Tasting Down 99.7% ICANN released a report today that shows a 99.7% drop in domain tasting since adding new penalties to the practice. ?Domain tasting? refers to registering a domain name and then returning it for a full refund during the first five days of registration. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/08/12/icann-domain-tasting-down-99-7/ The Battle For .Eco & Just One Example Of The Nightmare ICANN Is Creating I bet few domainers have an interest in the proposed .Eco domain, which is one of those new gTLD?s, that has more than one interested party wanting to own the extension. http://www.thedomains.com/2009/08/10/the-battle-for-eco-just-one-example-of-the-nightmare-icann-is-creating/ ICANN: Domain Front-Running Doesn't Exist For years there has been talk in the domain business about a sleazy and mysterious practice called "front-running." The name is borrowed from a sleazy financial practice of the same name. Now a report from ICANN based on independent testing has failed to find any evidence that it exists. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2351392,00.asp ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** ae: UAE domain regulator accused in copyright row The UAE internet domain regulator has denied a company its own .ae website, despite the firm holding a 12-year-old trademark for the name in question. http://www.itp.net/news/564558-uae-domain-regulator-accused-of-flouting-copyright-law DotEco Bids Heat Up - Catfight Anyone? The new TLD process is occupying a lot of people in the domain name industry at present. While some people are obviously very much against the entire concept of new TLDs, there are plenty of people and organisations who support the project. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090812_doteco_bids_heat_up_catfight_anyone/ Al Gore and Mikhail Gorbachev battle for control of .eco domain Al Gore, the former American vice-president, is at loggerheads with Mikhail Gorbachev, the Russian ex-president, over the rights to control a new ?green? internet domain that could be worth billions. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article6790666.ece eco: Al Gore and Mikhail Gorbachev battle over green domain name Al Gore, the former US vice-president is battling with Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Russian president, over the rights to operate a ?green? domain name. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/6009539/Al-Gore-and-Mikhail-Gorbachev-battle-over-green-domain-name.html Two ccTLDs for the price of one in Hong Kong The operator of the .hk registry will offer existing registrants a free extra domain using a Chinese suffix, if and when ICANN introduces multi-alphabet country-code domains http://www.managingip.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=2271210 InternetNZ appoints David Wright to NZRS Board InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) is pleased to announce the appointment of David Wright to the .nz Registry Services Board. http://www.internetnz.net.nz/media/media-releases-2009/internetnz-appoints-david-wright-to-nzrs-board ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Why Can't We Make the Internet Secure? by John Levine In a discussion about a recent denial of service attack against Twitter, someone asked, "Some class of suppliers must be making money off of the weaknesses. Anybody out there have a prescription for the cure?" Sure, but you're not going to like it. The Internet was originally a walled garden, where its operators knew who all the users were and could eject anyone who misbehaved. http://www.circleid.com/posts/why_cant_we_make_the_internet_secure/ Criminal Prescription: Fake Pharmacies Haunt Bing Illegal pharmacies have long been a staple of the Internet, despite the efforts of regulators, public and private, aimed at removing them from the Web. ... According to new figures published by anti-spam effort KnujOn -- which has long focused its efforts on putting the heat on Web hosting companies who allow the pharmacies to do business, and on ICANN to better enforce it's own rules in pursuing such law breakers -- Bing search results currently produce reams of illegal pill-pushing ads. http://securitywatch.eweek.com/illegal_pharmacies/criminal_prescription_fake_pharmacies_haunt_bing.html Agencies struggling over control of cybersecurity overblown, say DHS officials Reports of a struggle among agencies about who should oversee governmentwide cybersecurity are inaccurate, and the biggest problem in locking down federal networks is recruiting enough information security workers, said Homeland Security Department officials. ... Stories about the tension over who should manage the government's overall cybersecurity programs have circulated for months, with the debate focusing on DHS and the National Security Agency. It peaked on March 5, when Rod Beckstrom, director of the National Cybersecurity Center, expressed in his letter of resignation frustration over the growing influence of NSA in cybersecurity management. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090812_8505.php Cybersecurity resignations raise questions The resignation last week of two of the government's top cybersecurity officials has raised questions about President Obama's much-touted effort to fix policy for defending the nation's computer networks. ... Rod Beckstrom, who quit a senior cybersecurity post at DHS earlier this year, told The Washington Times: "I know from firsthand experience how tough these federal cybersecurity jobs are." http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/aug/13/key-cybersecurity-staff-quit/ US-CERT director resigns, plans to work for RSA The director of the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) has resigned. ... Kwon's exit from US-CERT somewhat mirrors the resignation of the former director of the DHS's National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC), Rod Beckstrom, who left in March citing tension between agencies and a lack of funding from the DHS. Beckstrom wrote in his letter of resignation to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano that he thinks the DHS's cybersecurity efforts were being "controlled" by the National Security Agency (NSA). http://www.scmagazineus.com/US-CERT-director-resigns-plans-to-work-for-RSA/article/141426/ U.S. Cybersecurity Exec Leaving For Job With RSA: Report The director of a key government cybersecurity program within the Department of Homeland Security has resigned, joining a growing list of cybersecurity executives to leave because of reported frustration with government bureaucracy. ... Last week Melissa Hathaway, White House acting senior director for cyberspace, resigned because she felt she was not empowered to drive change, she told The Washington Post. In March Rod Beckstrom, director of the National Cybersecurity Center, which is also part of the Department of Homeland Security, resigned reportedly because of a lack of agency support and conflicts with the National Security Agency. http://www.crn.com/security/219100666;jsessionid=XGPI0DHSZ4CXZQE1GHOSKH4ATMY32JVN ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Visa alleges trademark infringement in Vegas lawsuit Financial company Visa International Service Association has sued several Web sites it says are infringing on its trademarks. Sued in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas on Friday were the Internet domain names visacredit.com, visacreditcard.com, visadebit.com, visarewards.com, visamobile.com, visapay.com and vissa.com. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/aug/10/visa-alleges-trademark-infringement-vegas-lawsuit/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Realizing There's More to Life Than .COM, Europe and Asia Already Do by Antony Van Couvering It's getting so hard to find a decent .COM domain name that a big weed patch of businesses has grown up hawking really terrible names for enormous prices -- and they're finding buyers. They're catering to people who are just trying to find something -- anything! -- that will work for their new web site. The problem is especially acute for those who are trying to start a business. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090811_more_to_life_than_com_domain/ Wellington-based web registrar launches macronised domains iWantMyName launched a service on its global domain registration site that allows users to register M?ori macrons for domains. http://www.itbrief..co.nz/200908123542/wellington-based-web-registrar-launches-macronised-domains.php ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** WebMediaBrands Inc. signs agreement to sell internet.com assets for $18 million in cash [news release] WebMediaBrands Inc. announced today that it has entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement to sell its Internet.com division to QuinStreet, Inc. for an aggregate purchase price of $18 million in cash. http://www.webmediabrands.com/corporate/releases/09.08.10-WEBM_QuinStreet.html Sedo?s Q2 Domain Market Study Shows Market Continues to Grow We are happy to announce the Q2 2009 Secondary Domain Market Study has been published. The study has proved that the secondary domain market continues to see healthy growth despite a down economy. More than 9,403 domains changed hands for more than ?9.5 million on Sedo?s marketplace in Q2. Another trend to note: the average sales price for a .co.uk has overtaken that of .com, selling for ?790 while .com drops to ?594. http://www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2453 Sedo Says Despite Recession Demand for Premium Generic Domain Names Remained Strong in the Second Quarter of 2009 Sedo has issued a detailed report breaking down domain sales at the popular aftermarket site for the recently completed 2nd quarter of 2009. The company said they booked $15.6 million in sales from 9,403 transactions over that 90-day period. http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2009/dailyposts/20090810.htm AfternicDLS Surpasses $600,000 In Weekly Sales AfternicDLS reported over $600,000 in weekly sales including CafeWorld.com for $8,750, OnlineOrdering.com for $8,500, and Debet.com for $6,500. http://www.domainnamenews.com/domain-sales/afternicdls-surpasses-600000-weekly-sales/5771 ********************** RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** Mobile phone calls lowest in Finland, Netherlands and Sweden, says OECD report [news release] Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden have the lowest prices for mobile phone calls among OECD countries, according to the latest OECD Communications Outlook. The highest were found in Canada, Spain and the United States. http://www.oecd.org/document/20/0,3343,en_2649_201185_43471316_1_1_1_1,00.html http://www.oecd.org/document/20/0,3343,en_2649_34225_43471316_1_1_1_37441,00.html ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** The internet at sort-of-40. How did we get here? The Guardian wants your input The internet is sort-of-40 this year. Not in the sense of a Hollywood actor who is in reality much older but prefers to act vague, however. In the sense that if you set the October 1969 networking of US research universities through Arpanet as the start point then it is a significant birthday. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/aug/11/internet-computing Wikipedia approaches its limits The online encyclopedia is about to hit 3m articles in English ? but growth is stalling as 'inclusionists' and 'deletionists' fight for control http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/aug/12/wikipedia-deletionist-inclusionist Kids' top searches include 'porn' A survey of children's web habits shows that "sex" and "porn" are among the top 10 most-searched terms. http://news.bbc..co.uk/2/hi/technology/8197143.stm Children use web to watch videos, look up "sex"-study Children are using the Internet to watch YouTube videos, connect with friends on social network sites and look up "sex" and "porn," according to a study of the top Web searches by youngsters. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE57B0QP20090812 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/12/AR2009081200071.html Facebook takes aim at Twitter with FriendFeed Facebook, the world's largest social networking site, has bought FriendFeed, an up-and-coming web service, in a sign that it plans to extend its lead over rivals such as Twitter. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article6790860.ece Facebook in challenge to Google Facebook has turned up the heat on Google by purchasing content-sharing service FriendFeed, say industry watchers. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8194508.stm FriendFeed Updates Status: Married to Facebook FriendFeed, a social media tracker created in 2007 by a gang of ex-Googlers, has been acquired by Facebook for an undisclosed amount. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/10/friendfeed-updates-status-married-to-facebook/ Facebook buys FriendFeed [IDG] Facebook on Monday said it has agreed to purchase FriendFeed, a social-networking site that lets people share information and media files on the Web in real time. http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/314426/ Google gets caffeine injection as search speeds up Google has unveiled a new version of its search engine which it says will be faster and more accurate than ever before. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/aug/11/google-caffeine Facebook may become social network hub with FriendFeed buy Facebook Inc. may be looking to become a social networking hub with its move to acquire real-time feed aggregator FriendFeed. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9136472/Facebook_may_become_social_network_hub_with_FriendFeed_buy http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/314426/ http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/94AF997142FCACB9CC25760E007CC265 Cash for clicks Rupert Murdoch is set to charge online readers for news content - but how do you make people part with their money? Kevin Anderson asks what can be learned from the music, video and games industries http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/aug/10/paid-content-charging-online Breakfast Can Wait. The Day?s First Stop Is Online. Technology has shaken up morning routines ? people are increasingly waking up and lunging for their laptops. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/10/technology/10morning..html Click to drive: GM, eBay join to sell new cars online General Motors and eBay will start a trial program Tuesday to let Californians buy cars online. http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10306255-54.html ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** How Facebook's $50m deal could help it to web domination Spurned by Twitter ? for which it last year offered a rumoured $500m (?300m) ? Facebook has instead this week bought FriendFeed, a social networking site that previously had barely scratched the surface of the public consciousness. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/aug/11/friendfeed-team-boosts-facebook MySpace generation happier to talk online than real life The MySpace generation is more able to talk about themselves online than in the flesh, a survey suggests. Young people are taking refuge from reality in cyberspace, with more than a third feeling better able to talk about themselves online, new research indicates. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/6001374/MySpace-generation-happier-to-talk-online-than-real-life.html ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** Nicta could make billions with new tool A new software component that ensures an operating system will "never" crash has been developed in Australia, and is potentially destined to earn billions of dollars in royalties. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25919763-15306,00.html ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ nz: Netsafe helps employers form internet use policies Online safety watchdog Netsafe has started a website aimed at helping businesses develop or improve policies for staff use of technology in the workplace. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10590386 Youth report rings alarm bells [AAP] Australian teenagers are plagued by mental health disorders, cyber-bullying, violent crime and binge drinking, a new survey has revealed. http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25921377-5005962,00.html Youth report 'rings alarm bells' - Ellis A new survey reveals Australian teens are plagued by mental health disorders, cyber-bullying, violent crime and binge drinking. http://www.skynews.com.au/politics/article.aspx?id=362111 http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Politics/2009/08/13/Youth_report_rings_alarm_bells_-_Ellis_362111.html FEATURE - U.S. cops scour "virtual border" for child predators Canadian John Wrenshall stands accused of bringing American child predators to Thailand to have sex with children, filming their crimes and then distributing the images over the Internet. http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-41697920090812 us: The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 The internet can be a wonderful place to search for information, buy products and locate old friends. It can also be a playground for society's predators; those looking to violate our youth. In 1998, the United States passed the Child Online Protection Act (COPA). Age related restrictions were required to prohibit minors from accessing adult material. http://www.examiner.com/x-5426-Internet-and-Technology-Examiner~y2009m8d11-The-Childrens-Online-Privacy-Protection-Act-of-1998 ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Judge rules that DVD copying software is illegal American software company RealNetworks has been banned from selling a program that lets people make copies of their DVDs, in a US court decision that could have far-reaching implications. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/aug/12/real-realdvd RealNetworks Barred From Selling DVD Copy Maker RealNetworks, the Seattle-based digital media company, portrays itself as fighting for people?s right to legally make backup copies of the DVDs they own. It appears to have lost at least the first and perhaps most important round of the battle. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/realnetworks-loses-first-round-in-realdvd-case/ Music industry may seek salvation in 'all you can eat' downloads Things have moved on a little since the days when the greatest threat to the music industry was teenagers furtively slipping blank tapes into ghetto blasters to snatch the odd song from the radiowaves. http://www..guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/aug/10/music-download-young-people Young people ignoring attempts to combat illegal music downloading High-profile attempts to combat file sharing have failed to reduce the number of teenagers and students illegally swapping music over the internet, the largest academic study of young people?s music ownership has found. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article6789409.ece Downloading dips among young fans There has been a slight drop - from 63% last year to 61% this year - in the number of young people illegally downloading music, a survey suggests. The UK Music-commissioned study, now in its second year, also found that 85% of those who downloaded illegally would pay for an unlimited download service. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8193148.stm Young Brits are confused about legality of file-sharing Young people continue to download as much copyright-infringing music as ever and are still confused about their liability for copyright infringement, a study of their music habits has found. http://out-law..com/page-10251 Speech Debelle on filesharing I wouldn't care about [illegal sharing and downloading] if I didn't have the pressure of having to sell more albums to maintain a career. I don't really want to do anything else, so I need to be able to maintain myself and I need to keep people happy. Outside of that, I would prefer it just to be heard. Some people might nick it and become lifelong fans. My album is called Speech Therapy because writing it was therapy for me, so I can't be like, well, other people shouldn't hear it unless they pay for it. I didn't pay for it. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/aug/09/file-sharing-speech-debelle Major labels preparing new digital album format Forget WAV, MP3 and M4A ? major labels have something new in mind, and it's called CMX. Sony, Warner, Universal and EMI are reportedly preparing a new digital album format that will include songs, lyrics, videos, liner notes and artwork. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/aug/10/major-labels-new-digital-format Pirate Bay to challenge Dutch ban [AFP] The owners of Swedish filesharing website The Pirate Bay will seek a retrial after a Dutch court temporarily banned its activities in the Netherlands, their lawyer said on Monday. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/pirate-bay-to-challenge-dutch-ban-20090810-efov.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/pirate-bay-to-challenge-dutch-ban-20090810-efov.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Australia the pricey country for mobile broadband: OECD Mobile broadband users in Australia pay more than in any other Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country according to a new report released by the organisation. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/314761/ Americans pay 5 times more than Netherlanders for wireless If you think that your mobile phone bill is out of control, that's apparently because it is. A new Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) survey has found that mobile users in the US, Canada, and Spain pay almost five times more for wireless service than their counterparts in the Netherlands, Finland, and Sweden, who pay the least. http://arstechnica.com/telecom/news/2009/08/americans-pay-5-times-more-than-netherlanders-for-wireless.ars NZ mobile phone ban for drivers confirmed It will be illegal for drivers to talk or send text messages on handheld mobile phones while driving from November 1, Transport Minister Steven Joyce announced today. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2749138/ Microsoft to Put Office on Phones From Nokia Microsoft and Nokia, long adversaries in mobile phone technology, have agreed to a partnership to equip many Nokia cellphones with the Microsoft Office software, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/technology/companies/12soft.html Microsoft-Nokia Alliance: An Assault on the BlackBerry Top executives from Microsoft and Nokia elaborated on their new alliance in a conference call this morning. The takeaway? First, the partnership is aimed initially at Research in Motion and loosening the hold that its popular BlackBerry e-mail software and service has on business customers. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/microsoft-nokia-alliance-an-assault-on-blackberry/ Nokia alliance may spell doom for Windows Mobile The Microsoft-Nokia alliance plan to put Office applications on Nokia smartphones isn't a good sign for the Windows Mobile operating system. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9136601/Nokia_alliance_may_spell_doom_for_Windows_Mobile Microsoft and Nokia target corporate market Microsoft and Nokia will on Wednesday announce an alliance aimed at challenging Research In Motion?s lead in the corporate mobile phone market. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/251bb9f0-8726-11de-9280-00144feabdc0.html Microsoft and Nokia Reach a Mobile Agreement Microsoft Corp. has reached an agreement with Nokia Corp. to make a mobile version of Microsoft's Office suite of software that works on Nokia cellphones, according to a person familiar with the matter. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125002993162923941.html Cellphones Largely Immune to Viruses, for Now It has been great using smartphones as de facto computers. You don?t have to buy antivirus software or worry about the devices going haywire every time some Ukrainian crime ring finds a new way to steal data from the cloud. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/13/technology/personaltech/13smart.html ********************** DIGITAL DIVIDE ********************** With Cable, Laying a Basis for Growth in Africa The opening of a fiber optic cable providing broadband Internet service to millions of people in Southern and Eastern Africa is part of an ambitious plan to expand Web access and help spur the continent?s economy and technology industry. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/10/business/global/10cable.html ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** Georgia blogger Cyxymu demands action from Kremlin after DOS attack The Georgian blogger targeted in a cyber attack last week that affected millions of internet users across the world has said he is determined not to be silenced. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article6793603.ece au: Sprung by Facebook: geek justice for 'porn-surfing laptop thief' An 18-year-old, accused of stealing a laptop in Melbourne and surfing porn on it, thought he was home free after evading police for two months, but he came undone when he logged on to Facebook. http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/computers/sprung-by-facebook-geek-justice-for-pornsurfing-laptop-thief-20090812-ehpa.html http://www..theage.com.au/digital-life/computers/sprung-by-facebook-geek-justice-for-pornsurfing-laptop-thief-20090812-ehpa.html au: Alleged hacker on virus charges A three-month computer crime investigation has led to the arrest of a 20-year-old man from Adelaide's western suburbs for allegedly spreading a virus to gather financial details. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/13/2654670.htm Judge orders Microsoft to stop selling Word with XML capabilities The patent-friendly US District Court of Eastern Texas has granted i4i an injunction that prevents Microsoft from selling copies of Word that infringe its XML patent. This would affect copies of Word that can open .XML and .docx files containing custom XML, including Word 2003.. Microsoft has 60 days to comply. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/aug/12/microsoft-xml-patent-case Judge bans Microsoft Word sales A US federal court has ordered Microsoft to pay over $290m (?175m) for wilfully infringing on a patent by Canadian firm i4i. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8197990.stm I4i says not out to destroy Microsoft Word The chairman of the company that has won a landmark injunction against Microsoft says his goal is not to see Microsoft Word pulled from store shelves. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10308374-56.html Microsoft unlikely to let Word injunction stand The news that a judge has slapped an injunction that could bar Microsoft from selling its flagship Word software is a big deal. But don't expect to see Redmond allow one of its key money makers to be pulled from the market--even for a day. http://news..cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10308164-56.html Why Can't We Make the Internet Secure? by John Levine In a discussion about a recent denial of service attack against Twitter, someone asked, "Some class of suppliers must be making money off of the weaknesses. Anybody out there have a prescription for the cure?" Sure, but you're not going to like it. The Internet was originally a walled garden, where its operators knew who all the users were and could eject anyone who misbehaved. http://www.circleid.com/posts/why_cant_we_make_the_internet_secure/ Criminal Prescription: Fake Pharmacies Haunt Bing Illegal pharmacies have long been a staple of the Internet, despite the efforts of regulators, public and private, aimed at removing them from the Web. ... According to new figures published by anti-spam effort KnujOn -- which has long focused its efforts on putting the heat on Web hosting companies who allow the pharmacies to do business, and on ICANN to better enforce it's own rules in pursuing such law breakers -- Bing search results currently produce reams of illegal pill-pushing ads. http://securitywatch..eweek.com/illegal_pharmacies/criminal_prescription_fake_pharmacies_haunt_bing.html Agencies struggling over control of cybersecurity overblown, say DHS officials Reports of a struggle among agencies about who should oversee governmentwide cybersecurity are inaccurate, and the biggest problem in locking down federal networks is recruiting enough information security workers, said Homeland Security Department officials. ... Stories about the tension over who should manage the government's overall cybersecurity programs have circulated for months, with the debate focusing on DHS and the National Security Agency. It peaked on March 5, when Rod Beckstrom, director of the National Cybersecurity Center, expressed in his letter of resignation frustration over the growing influence of NSA in cybersecurity management. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090812_8505.php Cybersecurity resignations raise questions The resignation last week of two of the government's top cybersecurity officials has raised questions about President Obama's much-touted effort to fix policy for defending the nation's computer networks. ... Rod Beckstrom, who quit a senior cybersecurity post at DHS earlier this year, told The Washington Times: "I know from firsthand experience how tough these federal cybersecurity jobs are." http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/aug/13/key-cybersecurity-staff-quit/ US-CERT director resigns, plans to work for RSA The director of the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) has resigned.. ... Kwon's exit from US-CERT somewhat mirrors the resignation of the former director of the DHS's National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC), Rod Beckstrom, who left in March citing tension between agencies and a lack of funding from the DHS. Beckstrom wrote in his letter of resignation to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano that he thinks the DHS's cybersecurity efforts were being "controlled" by the National Security Agency (NSA). http://www.scmagazineus.com/US-CERT-director-resigns-plans-to-work-for-RSA/article/141426/ U.S. Cybersecurity Exec Leaving For Job With RSA: Report The director of a key government cybersecurity program within the Department of Homeland Security has resigned, joining a growing list of cybersecurity executives to leave because of reported frustration with government bureaucracy. ... Last week Melissa Hathaway, White House acting senior director for cyberspace, resigned because she felt she was not empowered to drive change, she told The Washington Post. In March Rod Beckstrom, director of the National Cybersecurity Center, which is also part of the Department of Homeland Security, resigned reportedly because of a lack of agency support and conflicts with the National Security Agency. http://www.crn.com/security/219100666;jsessionid=XGPI0DHSZ4CXZQE1GHOSKH4ATMY32JVN ************************** PRIVACY ************************** U.S. Web-Tracking Plan Stirs Privacy Fears The Obama administration is proposing to scale back a long-standing ban on tracking how people use government Internet sites with "cookies" and other technologies, raising alarms among privacy groups. http://www..washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/10/AR2009081002743.html White House Counters Cookie Claims The current White House policy on persistent Internet tracking cookies continues to apply to all federal agencies and to those agencies' use of third-party applications, whenever personal information is collected on the agency's behalf, two administration officials reaffirmed Tuesday in a blog post. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/08/white-house-counters-cookie-cl.php ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Iran?s Digital Underground In a Denver bookstore 15 years ago, Cyrus Nowrasteh, an Iranian-American television screenwriter, happened upon ?The Stoning of Soraya M.? The book, originally published in French in 1990 as ?La Femme Lapid?e,? depicted the mid-1980s execution of a rural Iranian woman falsely accused of adultery. Having not been to Iran since before the revolution of 1979, Mr. Nowrasteh was moved by the book?s spare ?account of postrevolutionary ?injustice and brutality.. Last June, long after deciding that ?the story screamed movie,? Mr. Nowrasteh released ?The ?Stoning of Soraya M.? in American movie theaters to critical acclaim. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204619004574318591833780278.html M'sia cancels net censorship plan Its prime minister, Najib Razak, reportedly told the media Malaysia never intended to install filters to block content. http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/internet/0,39044908,62056847,00.htm ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Politicians should stay out of Net policing by Axel Pawlik, managing director of the Ripe NCC perspective: The Digital Britain report proposed that ISPs should adopt a more active regulatory role to help curb piracy and the distribution of illegal content. Yet it is debatable whether ISPs are best placed to act as the gatekeepers of the Internet, because the control they have over the networks is limited. http://www.zdnetasia.com/insight/internet/0,39044877,62056558,00.htm InternetNZ calls for ?Notice and Notice? system to replace Section 92A InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) has today released its submission to the MED?s review of Section 92A of the Copyright Act, proposing a notice and notice system in New Zealand as a preferred response to the issue of illicit peer-to-peer filesharing. http://www.internetnz.net.nz/media/media-releases-2009/internetnz-calls-for-201cnotice-and-notice201d-system-to-replace-section-92a InternetNZ gives alternative vision for section 92A InternetNZ is calling for a ?notice and notice? system to replace section 92A of the Copyright Act. In its submission to the Ministry of Economic Development on the section 92A review, InternetNZ says a notice and notice system, in which alleged copyright infringers are sent notices about the infringement by ISPs if the ISP receives complaints from owners of copyright material. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/6E2489CC203A32DDCC25760E0012FCDF Internet termination still opposed by group [NZPA] InternetNZ remains totally opposed to termination being a remedy for copyright infringement by New Zealanders. Today InternetNZ released its submission to the Ministry of Economic Development's review of Section 92A of the Copyright Act, proposing a notice-and-notice system in New Zealand as a preferred response to the issue of illicit peer-to-peer filesharing. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/2738155/ http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/news/latest-news/2738155/ http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/national-news/2738155/ US studios want NZ copyright justice 'streamlined' United States movie studios have toughened their attitude towards the New Zealand Government's proposed compromise on tackling internet piracy. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/E18AA258E3989D99CC25760D006FD537 Copyright submissions back tribunal role Submissions on the government?s review of Section 92A of the Copyright Act show reluctance to accept termination of an illegal downloader?s internet account as a penalty, says Ministry of Economic Development spokesman Joshua Herron. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/9A9F11C3136E7F79CC25760E001B61A8 http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/2739354/ InternetNZ Calls For "Notice And Notice" System To Replace Section 92a InternetNZ has today released its submission to the MED's review of Section 92A of the Copyright Act, proposing a notice and notice system in New Zealand as a preferred response to the issue of illicit peer-to-peer filesharing. http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/internetnz-calls-quotnotice-and-noticequot-system-replace-section-92a/5/20599 InternetNZ brands proposed NZ copyright law as "too costly" InternetNZ says proposed new legislation designed to deter and prosecute illegal downloads of copyright content would see the creation of an expensive and bureaucratic system that would add costs for government, ISPs and rights holders. http://www.itwire.com/content/view/26841/127/ Different vision for section 92A given by InternetNZ As per the media reports, a "notice and notice" system is being called for by InternetNZ to replace section 92A of the Copyright Act. http://topnews.net.nz/content/2408-different-vision-section-92a-given-internetnz Online Copyright Infringement - A Proposed Revamp Of Section 92A [sub req'd] On 14 July 2009, Justice Minister Simon Power released a discussion paper outlining a new scheme for addressing online copyright infringement. http://www.linexlegal.com/content.php?content_id=99339 Movie Studios Want Own Version of Justice For 3 Strikes As New Zealand mulls its options for dealing with alleged pirates under its proposed Section 92A legislation, FACT, a division of the MPAA, says it?s not happy with the current proposals of giving those wrongly accused a chance to go to arbitration since it would be too time consuming. http://torrentfreak.com/movie-studios-want-own-version-of-justice-for-3-strikes-090812/ Call for $100 fine for CD, DVD piracy A fine of $100 should be imposed on internet users every time they illegally download a CD or DVD, an artists' lobby group says. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/2741880/ http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/2741880/ http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/business/2741880/ ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Asian undersea cable disruption slows Internet access [IDG] A segment of the Asia-Pacific Cable Network 2 (APCN2) undersea cable network between China and Taiwan suffered a serious cable fault on Wednesday, causing Internet traffic to be rerouted onto other undersea cables and slowing Internet access for some users in Southeast Asia. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9136558/Asian_undersea_cable_disruption_slows_Internet_access http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/081209-asian-undersea-cable-disruption-slows.html au: TIO says telcos slowing the tide of complaints Almost a year after revealing a dramatic rise in telco consumer complaints, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has acknowledged the industry?s subsequent efforts to slow the tide, while warn- ing that much work remains to be done. http://www.commsday.com/node/436 nz: Slingshot, Orcon top broadband providers Slingshot and Orcon are leading the broadband performance rankings, according to broadband measurement firm Epitiro. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/netw/BD7CFA24E80C473FCC2576100001DB45 http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/2744684/ Southern Cross trial aims to quadruple capacity Southern Cross Cables is claiming a successful trial of 40G optical technology that could quadruple the cable's capacity. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/netw/D2F6C43EE2A16B83CC2576110007D724 ********************************** ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR CHILD PORN ********************************** au: Faith betrayed When a Catholic priest began preying on her son, Lisa Smith sought help. But the church's response left her feeling shaken, bewildered and betrayed. http://www.theage.com.au/national/faith-betrayed-20090809-eea1.html au: Queensland police rescue 18 child porn victims in six months Three victims of child pornography are identified and moved into protection every month because of the work of a specialist Australian police unit. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25918313-421,00.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2009 --------- David Goldstein email: goldstein_david§yahoo.com.au web: http://davidgoldstein.tel/ http://goldsteinreport.com/ phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home mail: 4/3 Abbott Street COOGEE NSW 2034 AUSTRALIA "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 __________________________________________________________________________________ Find local businesses and services in your area with Yahoo!7 Local. Get started: http://local.yahoo.com.auReceived on Thu Aug 13 2009 - 00:58:23 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.0 : Sat Sep 09 2017 - 22:00:10 UTC