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 *************************************************** Porn internet domain name 'dot.xxx' plan revived http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8556364.stm Whither .XXX? http://mariafarrell.com/?p=52 ICANN urges Africa to break Internet monopolies http://in.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP/idINLDE62808F20100309 Trademark issues could derail new gTLDs at ICANN meeting [IDG] http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/339029/trademark_issues_could_derail_new_gtlds_icann_meeting/ .BASEL Joins The List of Potential gTLD Applicants http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=10591 Nominet Commences Consultation on One Character, Two Letter & Reserved Domains http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/03/10/nominet-commences-consultation-on-one-character-two-letter-reserved-uk-domains/ Phishers target more global brands http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/security/0,39044215,62061705,00.htm Melbourne IT pins hopes on digital brand management http://www.theage.com.au/business/melbourne-it-pins-hopes-on-digital-brand-management-20100309-pvwe.html Hot Property Sex.com on Auction Block http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/03/hot-property-sexcom-on-the-auction-block/ ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** us: Internet Freedom Caucus launched, legislation introduced Reps. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., and David Wu, D-Ore., Tuesday announced the launch of a bipartisan Global Internet Freedom Caucus to promote online free expression. At the same event, Wu announced he was introducing legislation aimed at providing groups and individuals with the tools to bypass efforts by some countries to block or censor the Internet. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100310_8780.php ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Public Comment: Proposed .PRO Renewal Registry Agreement The proposed renewal of the .PRO registry agreement is posted for public comment. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-09mar10-en.htm Vertical Integration Options Report Available to Community by John Jeffrey The paper entitled ?Registry-Registrar Separation: Vertical Integration Options" was produced for review by the ICANN Board during its 4 February 2010 Board Meeting (as was discussed in the preliminary report of that meeting at http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/prelim-report-04feb10-en.htm). It was requested that the paper be produced to the community to provide further information on this topic. http://blog.icann.org/2010/03/vertical-integration-options-report-available-to-community/ Porn internet domain name 'dot.xxx' plan revived A plan to create an internet domain specifically for adult websites will be resurrected three years after it was rejected by internet regulators. The net's governing body Icann will reconsider the .xxx scheme on 12 March. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8556364.stm Plans for .xxx top-level domain pop up again The .xxx domain is back on the table. ICANN will reconsider the top-level domain during a meeting in Kenya this week, nearly three years after it was shot down and nine years after it was first introduced as a way to identify pornography sites and hopefully confine them to their own Internet red-light district. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/03/plans-for-xxx-top-level-domain-pop-up-again.ars Icann to revisit .xxx adult domain plans ICANN will look into the feasibility of offering a .xxx domain for adult web sites at a meeting later this week. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2259210/triple-domain-plans-resurrected From .God to .xxx - sex and religion domain names to be discussed Icann conference in Nairobi will decide on new internet address suffixes including .God, .sex, .xxx and .gay http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/7407792/From-.God-to-.xxx-sex-and-religion-domain-names-to-be-discussed.html Whither .XXX? What?s going to happen this week on .XXX? Nairobi is the first public board meeting since the independent review panel?s nonbinding declaration in February that ICANN acted against its own rules in refusing to go ahead with .XXX. Reports that ICANN is going to ?do something? about .XXX have gone around the world via BBC news, and even surfaced on the radio in rural Ireland. The ICM team are out in force here in Nairobi, and there is endless speculation about what will happen at the Board?s meeting on Friday. http://mariafarrell.com/?p=52 http://www.circleid.com/posts/20100310_whither_xxx_icann_decision/ Push for online .xxx porn 'ghetto' The adult industry is up in arms over a renewed push for a ".xxx" domain name, which they fear would be the first step towards segregating porn sites into a "ghetto". http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/sex-industry-fears-xxx-porn-ghetto-20100311-q03x.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/push-for-online-xxx-porn-ghetto-20100311-q03x.html http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/technology-news/push-for-online-xxx-porn-ghetto-20100311-q03x.html http://www.watoday.com.au/technology/technology-news/sex-industry-fears-xxx-porn-ghetto-20100311-q03x.html Internet porn '.xxx' domain plan revived [AP] A global internet oversight agency is reopening discussions about whether to create a ".xxx" domain name as an online red-light district where porn sites can set up shop away from the wandering eyes of children and teenagers. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10631307 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/10/xxx-porn-site-web-address_n_493619.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/global-agency-reconsiders-xxx-for-porn-sites-20100311-pzlx.html Sex Gets Domain Name Industry Hearts Aflutter Sex always makes a good story for the media, and so it has again recently with the .XXX Top Level Domain about to be discussed again at ICANN?s Nairobi, Kenya, meeting this week and the SEX.COM domain name up for grabs again next week to the highest bidder. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=10592 http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/03/10/sex-gets-domain-name-industry-hearts-aflutter-with-sexcom-and-xxx-in-the-news/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/sex-gets-domain-name-industry-hearts-aflutter.html Net oversight board to consider .xxx domains ICANN board at its meeting Friday will consider a proposal from ICM Registry for adult sites to use the .xxx top-level domain instead of or in addition to .com. http://news.cnet.com/8301-19518_3-10467280-238.html ICANN CEO Blasts African Telecom Monopolies The CEO of the group that manages the Internet address system Monday urged African leaders to take steps to "shatter" telecommunications monopolies in their nations to help lower the price of Internet access to their citizens. During opening remarks at the start of the ICANN meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, Rod Beckstrom argued that the Internet can be an important tool for development but it is being hampered by high rates of access in Africa. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2010/03/icann-ceo-blasts-african-telec.php ICANN CEO Urges African Telcos to Shatter Monopolies ICANN CEO, Rod Beckstrom, urges African leaders to "shatter" telecommunications monopolies in their nations in order to help lower the price of Internet access to their citizens during his opening remarks at the start of the 37th ICANN meeting in Nairobi, Kenya. Beckstrom noted that while 15 percent of the world's population lives in Africa, Africans make up less than 7 percent of all Internet users. http://www.circleid.com/posts/icann_ceo_urges_african_telcos_to_shatter_monopolies/ ICANN urges Africa to break Internet monopolies African governments should break Internet monopolies to help lower the price of access, the body in charge of assigning online addresses said on Tuesday. http://in.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP/idINLDE62808F20100309 http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-46767520100309 http://www.ioltechnology.co.za/article_page.php?iSectionId=2884&iArticleId=5383126 ICANN urges affordable Internet access for East Africa A U.S.-based organization that promotes the use of the Internet is urging leaders in east Africa to make the Internet accessible and affordable to all of their citizens. The leaders are gathering in Nairobi for a regional summit due to begin Tuesday http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/science-technology/US-Firm-Urges-Affordable-Internet-Access-for-East-Africa-86899697.html http://it.moldova.org/news/icann-urges-affordable-internet-access-for-east-africa-206984-eng.html http://www.cellular-news.com/story/42300.php Nairobi ICANN meeting kicks off despite security concerns [IDG] After a series of board meetings on whether to cancel or not due to security issues, ICANN meeting kicked off in Nairobi. http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=3EC5D04C-1A64-6A71-CEAB9C9E8740E8FD Trademark issues could derail new gTLDs at ICANN meeting [IDG] Trademark protection, costs and cybersecurity threats are some of the issues likely to derail the introduction of new Internet generic top-level domains, being discussed at a meeting of ICANN Board this week in Nairobi. http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/339029/trademark_issues_could_derail_new_gtlds_icann_meeting/ http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9168238/Trademark_issues_could_derail_new_gTLDs_at_ICANN_meeting http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/339029/trademark_issues_could_derail_new_gtlds_icann_meeting/ http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/339029/trademark_issues_could_derail_new_gtlds_icann_meeting/ http://www.techworld.com.au/article/339029/trademark_issues_could_derail_new_gtlds_icann_meeting http://www.thestandard.com/news/2010/03/09/trademark-issues-could-derail-new-gtlds-icann-meeting Africa TLD registries discuss take-up of domains [IDG] African country code Top Level Domain (TLD) registry managers met at the sidelines of ICANN meeting in Nairobi to grapple with issues affecting operations such as costs and the redelegation of country code domains. http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=44A53938-1A64-6A71-CEE2F48CFEE3C169 http://www.thestandard.com/news/2010/03/09/africa-tld-registries-discuss-take-domains Internet Set for Radical Change The board of the international body that assigns internet addresses will this Friday vote on key strategic policies that will drive the future of internet. http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Internet set for radical change /-/1006/876262/-/103pxqi/-/index.html http://allafrica.com/stories/201003090978.html Cyber Crime to Top Internet Forum Agenda An international conference on the future of the Internet will be officially opened despite earlier fears of insecurity. http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Company Industry/-/539550/874458/-/t2rl81z/-/index.html http://allafrica.com/stories/201003090076.html Africa must bring its voice to ICANN There are many African governments and citizens who do not understand the role of ICANN. http://www.computerworld.co.ke/articles/2010/03/08/africa-must-bring-its-voice-icann ICANN Chair: May be ?Ready to Move? on Uniform Rapid Suspension Of all of the trademark protections being discussed for the launch of new top level domain names, it looks like Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) may be the closest to being approved. Uniform Rapid Suspension is a sort of ?light UDRP? for domain names deemed to be clear cut cases of cybersquatting. http://domainnamewire.com/2010/03/08/icann-chair-may-be-ready-to-move-on-uniform-rapid-suspension/ VP: Kenya committed to ICT The Government is dedicated to building crucial internet infrastructure to enable access to faster, efficient, affordable connections by Kenyans and others in the East and South African region, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has said. http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=62621 http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/Kenyabusiness/Kenya-committed-to-ICT-growth-3908.html ICANN Nairobi; throwing down the gauntlet to governments After an amazing dance performance to open its Nairobi meeting this morning, ICANN?s CEO and President Rod Beckstrom threw down the gauntlet to African governments. In his opening speech, Beckstrom got quickly through the usual platitudes about the Internet?s potential to speed up economic development. He instead highlighted successes in development led by using a more bottom-up approach (the ?Internet approach?) and identified Kenya as a leader. But despite all this good work, Beckstrom noted, there are still a billion people in Africa that need to be connected. What should be done for them? http://mariafarrell.com/?p=39 ICANN Nairobi blogging by Maria Farrell As foreshadowed a while back, I?ve taken myself off to Nairobi for the week to take part in the ICANN meeting here. The security is pretty heavy but I?m glad to report the opening morning was one of the best attended I?ve ever seen and had by far the best dancing. I?ll be blogging about it pretty much every day this week. So far, I?ve written about the CEO?s provocative speech on the first day, where he called out unnamed African government representatives for telling porkies about IPv6 availability. I also mused about how we should act with President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan probably attending an unrelated meeting in the building tomorrow. http://crookedtimber.org/2010/03/08/icann-nairobi-blogging/ Why ICANN Expressions of Interest Benefit Small Registries by Antony Van Couvering I regret that the posts on our blog are getting more and more specialist, but I don?t apologize. As things come to a head for new gTLDs, we are getting through the final details, which have become proxies for the larger battle. So it is with Expressions of Interest. http://www.mindsandmachines.com/2010/03/why-icann-expressions-of-interest-benefit-small-registries/ A Little Flexibility from ICANN and We Might Just Get IDNs? for Everyone by Andrew Mack Nobody doubts that some time in the near future there will be Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) in Chinese, Russian or Arabic scripts. The Chinese, Russian and Arabic-character-using worlds are large?encompassing hundreds of millions of current and potential users. They are politically influential blocs, with the ability to demand action in international meetings. And perhaps most importantly, they are?at least when taken together?rich. Everybody knows that access on the web in these languages is not a matter of if, but simply a question of when... http://www.circleid.com/posts/a_little_flexibility_from_icann_and_we_might_just_get_idns_for_everyone/ Reevaluating New Top Level Domain Names Last May I wrote an editorial titled ?Why I?m opposed to new top level domains?. I outlined six reasons that I didn?t like the current proposal for new top level domain names. http://domainnamewire.com/2010/03/08/reevaluating-new-top-level-domain-names/ ICANN Takes a Wrong Turn on New TLD Contracts - "Post Signature Revision Process?" by Jonathan Zuck The pen is mightier than the word...or should be. When ICANN Chairman Peter Dengate-Thrush --? an accomplished attorney -- said last year that he wouldn't let one of his own clients agree to a contract that could be unilaterally changed after it was signed, the Internet community breathed a sigh of relief. But when the Chairman backed away from that stance earlier this week in Nairobi, it became clear that we should have held our breath a little bit longer. http://www.circleid.com/posts/icann_takes_wrong_turn_on_new_tld_contracts_post_signature_revision_process/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** .BASEL Joins The List of Potential gTLD Applicants The Swiss city of Basel has joined the growing list of cities to express an interest in applying for its city name as a Top Level Domain when ICANN asks for applications, possibly in 2011. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=10591 http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/03/10/basel-joins-the-list-of-potential-gtld-applicants/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/basel-another-potential-gtld-applicant.html Challenging infringing '.lt' domain names: remedies for rights holders Lithuanian law does not regulate the registration and use of '.lt' domain names. The management functions of the '.lt' top-level domain have been delegated to the Information Technology Development Institute at Kaunas University of Technology. http://www.internationallawoffice.com/newsletters/detail.aspx?g=5d92ab91-b39b-4d63-b883-6548251ed061 .Org Eyes Leadership Role in IDN Top Level Domain Names One of the big questions facing registries of existing top level domain names is how they should pursue Internationalized Domain Name ?equivalents? of their domain names when they become available. These so-called IDN.IDN domain names will be available once new gTLDs ? such as .nyc and .music ? come out. http://domainnamewire.com/2010/03/09/org-eyes-leadership-role-in-idn-top-level-domain-names/ Nominet consults on short .uk domain names Nominet has announced a three-month consultation to decide how it should release one-letter, two-letter and single-number domains for registration. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2259222/nominet-planning-launch-short Nominet Commences Consultation on One Character, Two Letter & Reserved Domains Nominet is planning to release two letter, one character and other reserved .UK domains. In planning for the release, the .UK registry has commenced a three month consultation process that closes on 8 June on how the domain names should be released. http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/03/10/nominet-commences-consultation-on-one-character-two-letter-reserved-uk-domains/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Phishers target more global brands While financial institutions still top the phishing radar, cybercriminals are now moving beyond to top brands, with one of the recent victims being a hardware manufacturer, according to the latest Anti-Phishing Work Group (APWG) report. http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/security/0,39044215,62061705,00.htm Experts see DNSSEC deployments gaining traction It's been a long road for DNSSEC, but experts who are monitoring deployments of the DNS layer authentication technology across public and private top-level domains (TLDs) remain optimistic that it will gain traction later this year. http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/news/article/0,289142,sid14_gci1419248,00.html ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** WWW Prefix Typo Popular Among Trademark Infringers A new study from Corporation Service Company (CSC) ? which provides trademark protection services ? shows that www is the most common prefix to brand names used to ?trademark infringers? in domain names. (The very common typo where someone forgets the dot between www and the domain name.) http://domainnamewire.com/2010/03/08/www-prefix-typo-popular-among-trademark-infringers/ ICA Requests Action on Czech Arbitration Court Policy Changes Internet Commerce Association counsel Philip Corwin has sent a letter to ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom an Chairman of the Board Peter Dengate-Thrush asking it to act on Czech Arbitration Court?s new UDRP policy. http://domainnamewire.com/2010/03/08/ica-requests-action-on-czech-arbitration-court-policy-changes/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Melbourne IT pins hopes on digital brand management Once a market superstar, Melbourne IT is now in the unusual position of seeing its scrip selling below what it was when the stockmarket bottomed last year. http://www.theage.com.au/business/melbourne-it-pins-hopes-on-digital-brand-management-20100309-pvwe.html http://www.businessday.com.au/business/melbourne-it-pins-hopes-on-digital-brand-management-20100309-pvwe.html http://www.smh.com.au/business/melbourne-it-pins-hopes-on-digital-brand-management-20100309-pvwe.html ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Hot Property Sex.com on Auction Block It?s a sadly familiar story from the high-flying market of the past few years: Speculator thinks values will continue to go up, up, up. Overbids for a hot property. Can?t keep up with the payments. Lender is forced to foreclose. http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/03/hot-property-sexcom-on-the-auction-block/ Sex.com: Most valuable domain name up for grabs [Reuters] Sex.com, often touted as one of the most valuable internet domain names, is due to head to the auction block next week. http://in.reuters.com/article/marketsNewsUS/idINN0819496920100309 http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE62804S20100309 http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/world/3423852/Sex-com-Most-valuable-domain-name-up-for-grabs http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/world/3423852/Sex-com-Most-valuable-domain-name-up-for-grabs http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/lender-putting-wwwsexcom-domain-on-auction-block-1918528.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/sexcom-auction-begins-at-1m-20100311-q02e.html Top 10 most expensive domain names Sex.com, one of the most expensive domain names in history, is up for auction, with bidding starting at $1 million. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/7412544/Top-10-most-expensive-domain-names.html Guns.com Sell for $800,000 at Moniker - Ranks as One of the Three Biggest Sales So Far in 2010 We have learned that Moniker.com has completed the sale of Guns.com for $800,000 to an unidentified buyer. That ranks as the highest .com sale of the new year and is the third highest sale overall, trailing only Poker.org at $1,000,000 and Credit.fr at ?587,500 ($851,875). Quite an odd twist to have the biggest .com sale of the year ranking only third among all extension sales. http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2010/dailyposts/20100308.htm $1 Million Sale Sets New High Water Mark for .Org Domains & Previously Unannounced Purchase Becomes 2nd Biggest in That Extension This has been quite a week for the .org extension. First came Sedo's announcement that they had brokered the biggest .org sale of all time, a deal that sent Poker.org from National A-1 to PokerCompany.com for a cool $1 million. Prior to that the highest reported .org sale was Engineering.org, a name that changed hands several years ago for $198,000. Then on Monday we revealed the previously unannounced sale of Blackjack.org for $298,000 in October 2007. That domain had also been purchased PokerCompany.com, so they now own the two most expensive .org domains ever reported sold. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2010/20100303.htm ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Porn: Good for us? Scientific examination of the subject has found that as the use of porn increases, the rate of sex crimes goes down. http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/57169/;jsessionid=DF5F677591D2F6210084336E54BAFCA3 Is there such a thing as internet addiction? Can the internet be as addictive as drugs or alcohol, and should online games addicts be treated in the same way? http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article7052999.ece Internet 'in running' for Nobel Peace Prize The internet is among a record 237 individuals and organisations nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8560469.stm China?s Internet obsession [free registration required for complete article] People in the country?s 60 largest cities spend 70 percent of their leisure time online. Seismic changes in the consumer market are likely as a result. http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Marketing/Digital_Marketing/Chinas_Internet_obsession_2546 Microsoft 'takes on Goliath' with Bing TV ads mocking Google Microsoft is to launch a multimillion-pound TV ad campaign for its search engine Bing, as part of a major marketing push designed to challenge Google's dominance of the UK search market, MediaGuardian.co.uk can reveal. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/mar/08/microsoft-bing-tv-ads-google Steve Ballmer: Microsoft 'betting our company' on the cloud Microsoft is still most closely associated with its desktop software (Windows, Office etc), but on Thursday CEO Steve Ballmer said Microsoft was "betting our company" on the cloud. About 70% of Microsoft employees are working on cloud-related projects right now; that figure will reach 90% within a year, he said. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2010/mar/05/microsoft-cloud-computing Chatroulette: 71% men, 15% women and 14% perverts Heard and read about Chatroulette, but a bit frightened to check it out yourself? Now you can find out about the website that allows you to video chat with strangers all over the world thanks to New York film-maker Casey Neistat. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2010/mar/08/chatroulette The internet is not a right A recent BBC poll showed that among adult respondents, four in five believed access to the internet was a fundamental right. At the risk of sounding like some old-fashioned headmaster, I don't think access to the internet is a fundamental right, but a privilege. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/blogs/connector/3420940/The-internet-is-not-a-right Bing gains US search market share for ninth straight month [AFP] Microsoft's new Internet search engine Bing slightly increased its share of the US search market in February, the ninth straight month of modest gains, online tracking firm comScore said Wednesday. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/bing-gains-us-search-market-share-for-ninth-straight-month-20100311-q01k.html ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Cyber-bullying cases put heat on Google, Facebook The Internet was built on freedom of expression. Society wants someone held accountable when that freedom is abused. And major Internet companies like Google and Facebook are finding themselves caught between those ideals. http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-46754120100309 http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6275VV20100309 MySpace makeover aims to stall user exodus [AP] Long ago lapped by Facebook in popularity and with fast-growing Twitter on its tail, MySpace is planning a series of updates over the next months that will link its users' posts to the other social networking sites more easily and carve out its niche as an entertainment hub more clearly. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/myspace-makeover-aims-to-stall-user-exodus-20100311-pzxj.html http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3432757/MySpace-overhaul-to-rekindle-growth http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/myspace-makeover-aims-to-stall-user-exodus-20100311-pzxj.html MySpace upping ante in online social games [AFP] MySpace on Wednesday began courting videogame developers as it moved to capitalize on the booming popularity of playing games online at social networks. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/myspace-upping-ante-in-online-social-games-20100311-q05c.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/myspace-upping-ante-in-online-social-games-20100311-q05c.html au: Tribute page row causes Little distress An online row has erupted over a Facebook fan page set up for Aboriginal singing legend Jimmy Little. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/tribute-page-row-causes-little-distress-20100306-ppns.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/tribute-page-row-causes-little-distress-20100306-ppns.html ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** U.S. Hopes Internet Exports Will Help Open Closed Societies Seeking to exploit the Internet?s potential for prying open closed societies, the Obama administration will permit technology companies to export online services like instant messaging, chat and photo sharing to Iran, Cuba and Sudan, a senior administration official said Sunday. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/world/08export.html US eases Cuba, Iran, Sudan sanctions to allow freer web The US treasury department has eased sanctions on Iran, Cuba and Sudan to help further the use of web services and support opposition groups. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8556341.stm Where next for the web? Twenty years into the life of the world wide web, one scientist's idea for a simple way of sharing information with colleagues has come a very long way. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8555987.stm Hard drive evolution could hit Microsoft XP users Hard drives are about to undergo one of the biggest format shifts in 30 years. By early 2011 all hard drives will use an "advanced format" that changes how they go about saving the data people store on them. The move to the advanced format will make it easier for hard drive makers to produce bigger drives that use less power and are more reliable. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8557144.stm ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ Facebook fears after sex offender logged on to murder Questions were last night raised about the monitoring of the online activity of sex offenders after it emerged that a convicted rapist was able to use the social networking site Facebook to befriend a vulnerable teenager he then raped and murdered. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/facebook-fears-after-sex-offender-logged-on-to-murder-1918330.html Chapman was a manipulative liar who used the internet to kill Facebook gave Peter Chapman the means of luring a vulnerable girl to her death: Ashleigh Hall was a typical messy teenager, interested in boys, the internet and mobile phones. And like so many others her age she was highly impressionable, with little experience of the opposite sex. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/chapman-was-a-manipulative-liar-who-used-the-internet-to-kill-1918335.html Police criticise Facebook safety record after Ashleigh Hall murder Senior police officers clashed with the UK's most-used social networking site today, accusing Facebook of ignoring worrying trends that it is providing a safe haven for predatory paedophiles by refusing to sign up to a "panic button" for children and young people. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/mar/09/ashleigh-hall-murder-facebook-security Paedophile 'alarm button' was rejected by Facebook, say police Senior police officers last night accused Facebook of having inadequte child protection safeguards following the rape and murder of teenager who met her killer on the networking site. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/paedophile-alarm-button-was-rejected-by-facebook-say-police-1918838.html Facebook security measures criticised after Ashleigh Hall murder Facebook was today accused of a "glaring failure" to implement advice on protecting children online after the conviction of a man for kidnapping, raping and murdering a teenager he ensnared using the social networking site. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/mar/09/ukcrime-facebook Facebook murderer who posed as teenager to lure victim jailed for life A serial sex offender was today sentenced to life in prison after he admitted kidnapping, raping and murdering a teenager whom he ensnared using a fake profile on Facebook. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/mar/08/peter-chapman-facebook-ashleigh-hall Sex offender Peter Chapman killed girl after posing as a teenager on Facebook A homeless sex offender posed as a handsome teenager on Facebook to lure a 17-year-old girl to a secluded location where she was kidnapped, gagged, raped and murdered. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article7054518.ece British Facebook killer jailed for life A 33-year-old man was jailed for life on Monday after admitting the kidnap, rape and murder of a teenager he met on the Facebook social networking site. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE62745620100308 Cyber-bullying cases put heat on Google, Facebook The Internet was built on freedom of expression. Society wants someone held accountable when that freedom is abused. And major Internet companies like Google and Facebook are finding themselves caught between those ideals. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6275UG20100309 http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3428008/Cyber-bullying-puts-heat-on-Facebook Users to blame for Facebook vandalism: net industry The shocking vandalism of tribute Facebook pages for slain Australian children could have been avoided if only users, not Facebook, put more effort into policing the site, the internet industry says. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/users-to-blame-for-facebook-vandalism-net-industry-20100309-puth.html http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/technology-news/users-to-blame-for-facebook-vandalism-net-industry-20100309-puth.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/users-to-blame-for-facebook-vandalism-net-industry-20100309-puth.html au: Schools call police to deal with cyber bullies Schools are asking police to investigate serious student cyber bullying amid increasing complaints from parents about their children receiving hate messages online. http://www.news.com.au/technology/schools-call-police-on-cyber-bullies/story-e6frfro0-1225838469323 http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/top-girls-school-call-police-on-bullies/story-e6freuy9-1225838449008 Protect your kids - become cyber cops Schools are calling on parents to become cyber cops to help manage a disturbing rise in online bullying. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/technology/protect-your-kids-become-cyber-cops/story-e6freaal-1225838410849 au: Anti-filter flash mob planned to educate fools An online activist group will use a flash mob on April Fools Day to raise its concerns about the Internet content filter to the general public. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/338902/anti-filter_flash_mob_planned_educate_fools/ au: Filter protesters brave Vic weather Around 200 people were at Melbourne's National Day of Action against the government's internet filter, braving the heat before the state was inundated with golf-ball-sized hailstones just hours later. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Filter-protesters-brave-Vic-weather-Video/0,130061791,339301593,00.htm Art or porn? New NSW laws to paint clearer picture The New South Wales Government says it will introduce laws into Parliament this week to clarify what is art and what is child pornography. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/09/2840990.htm Art or child porn? Now censors must decide Artists who create images of nude children would have to pay $500 an image to get Commonwealth classification to make absolutely sure they would not be prosecuted under new child pornography laws. http://www.smh.com.au/national/art-or-child-porn-now-censors-must-decide-20100309-pvuk.html Child porn laws impose costs on artists [AAP] Artists and photographers will face expensive fees to have their work classified, under reforms to NSW child pornography laws that will scrap the "artistic merit" defence. http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/entertainment/a/-/entertainment/6911899/child-porn-laws-impose-costs-on-artists/ http://bigpondnews.com/articles/National/2010/03/09/Child_porn_laws_impose_costs_for_artists_437985.html http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/artists-to-pay-for-classification-under-child-porn-laws/story-e6frfku9-1225838823553 New Zealand's internet filter goes live The Department of Internal Affairs' (DIA) internet filter is now operational and is being used by ISPs Maxnet and Watchdog. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/security/new-zealands-internet-filter-goes-live http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3434754/New-Zealands-internet-filter-goes-live nz: Cyber bullying at top Bay private school Abusive web pages targeting school boys at a Hawke's Bay school included one that encouraged students to join by offering them "points" for virtual online games. http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/local/news/lead-story-cyber-bullying-at-top-bay-private-schoo/3910922/ Cyberbullying hits LGBT youth especially hard We all have coming-of-age bullying stories. Mine started in junior high, when I was called a "sailor's dream" by the same boys who ogled me after that glorious summer before 9th grade, when you-know-what finally sprung forth. Then a new kind of torment began, and when I rejected the hot football quarterback, the lesbian rumors flew. http://news.cnet.com/8301-27083_3-10466220-247.html 'CHiPs' star helps fight child pornography Actor Erik Estrada visited Capital Square last week to voice his support for Virginia's fight against child pornography. http://www.wpcva.com/articles/2010/03/08/chatham/news/news39.txt ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** James Murdoch: illegal downloading no different from stealing a handbag James Murdoch today called on governments to get tough on illegal downloading, which he said was no different from "going into a store and stealing Pringles or a handbag". http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/mar/10/murdoch-illegal-dowloading-stealing-handbag British ISPs 'could make up to ?200m from legal downloads' The UK music downloads market could generate up to ?200m a year for internet service providers such as BSkyB and Virgin Media within three years, according to a new report. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/mar/08/bpi-isps-music-downloads Pink Floyd battles EMI in online royalties case Rock band Pink Floyd on Tuesday launched legal action against record label EMI in a case that centres around royalty payments and how music is sold in the digital age. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6282BI20100309 http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-46773620100309 Pink Floyd take on EMI at the High Court over download royalties Pink Floyd, who once sang ?Keep your hands off my stack? in their hit Money, from the album The Dark Side of the Moon, took on their record label in the High Court yesterday in a dispute over royalties for downloads of their music. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article7055980.ece ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Mobile that allows bosses to snoop on staff developed Researchers have produced a mobile phone that could be a boon for prying bosses wanting to keep tabs on the movements of their staff. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8559683.stm ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** Britain applies military thinking to the growing spectre of cyberwar The control room at Little Earth Corporation, where staff field 24-hour-a-day, 365 days a year surveillance of cyber attacks http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article7053270.ece Phishers target more global brands While financial institutions still top the phishing radar, cybercriminals are now moving beyond to top brands, with one of the recent victims being a hardware manufacturer, according to the latest Anti-Phishing Work Group (APWG) report. http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/security/0,39044215,62061705,00.htm Weak security ID questions put e-mail at risk Questions used as security checks on websites need to be replaced by more complex tests to establish a person's identity, say researchers. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8552622.stm Internet hustlers go after Madoff victims After being bilked out of $65 billion by Ponzi mastermind Bernard Madoff, his victims suffered a second indignity this week when a Nigerian Internet scam sought to steal their personal information with promises of getting back money they'd lost to the fallen financier. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/internet_hustlers_go_after_madoff_WW0OB786QzZ9FVZEc3VfCJ nz: Scam a rough deal An Auckland student is warning others of the dangers of online selling after a scam left her $2500 out of pocket. http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/auckland-city-harbour-news/3424571/Scam-a-rough-deal U.S. expert blames Chinese government for recent cyberattacks [IDG] The Chinese government is likely behind recent cyberattacks on U.S. government Web sites and on U.S. companies in an apparent effort to quash criticism of the government there, an expert on U.S. and Chinese relations said Wednesday. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9168898/U.S._expert_blames_Chinese_government_for_recent_cyberattacks http://www.pcworld.com/article/191203/.html ************************** PRIVACY ************************** Why Google keeps your data forever, tracks you with ads Not many companies could get away with defending controversial data retention practices by saying that the data is needed to "learn from good guys, fight off bad guys, [and] invent the future." But that's how Google sees itself and its practices?not surprising from a company that would give itself an unofficial motto like "don't be evil." http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/03/google-keeps-your-data-to-learn-from-good-guys-fight-off-bad-guys.ars Facebook Will Allow Users to Share Location Starting next month, the more than 400 million Facebook users could begin seeing a new kind of status update flow through their news feed: the current locations of their friends. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/facebook-will-allow-users-to-share-location/ Facebook Plans to Stake Its Location Claim Next Month Facebook plans to add friend location information as soon as next month, reports The New York Times Bits blog today. Honestly, this news is so expected that the fact that it was reported using anonymous sources attributed as ?several people briefed on the project? only makes it a little more certain than it was before. http://www.nytimes.com/external/gigaom/2010/03/09/09gigaom-facebook-plans-to-stake-its-location-claim-next-m-36955.html Report: Facebook Set to Launch One of Its Many Geolocation Projects Facebook will finally make itself heard in the rapidly developing world of location-based services, according to The New York Times. The company will unveil a location-based feature at its f8 conference in late April. http://www.nytimes.com/external/venturebeat/2010/03/09/09venturebeat-report-facebook-set-to-launch-one-of-its-man-47173.html Facebook set to tell everyone where you are Facebook users will be able to see where their friends are starting next month. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10631113 Hi-tech governments growing keener on snooping, says report Western industrial countries are becoming more willing to spy on their citizens, according to an analysis of snooping that says that the UK is sixth in a world ranking for electronic state surveillance. http://out-law.com/page-10822 ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** German publisher in row with Apple over pin-ups in iPhone app The International Federation of the Periodical Press (FIPP) is considering making a complaint to Apple over the computer firm's request that German publisher Springer censor the naked girls on one of its iPhone apps. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2010/mar/09/bild-iphone-app U.S. weighing China Internet censorship case The United States is studying whether it can legally challenge Chinese Internet restrictions that hurt Google and other U.S. companies operating in China, but direct talks with Beijing might yield faster results, the top U.S. trade official said on Tuesday. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE62856L20100310 http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-46780220100310 Iran blocking foreign, domestic Web sites to curb anti-government activists ... Ever since the disputed victory of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the June elections led to wide-scale protests, Iran's leaders have been cracking down on the tech-savvy opposition movement with the Revolutionary Guard and police blocking millions of foreign and domestic Web sites, including some Google services, CNN and the BBC. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/09/AR2010030903478.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** uk: Internet law ?threatens free speech? Plans to force internet providers to block sites carrying pirated music and films ?threaten freedom of speech and the open internet?, the largest internet and telecom companies operating in the UK said. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4545c4e0-2bb9-11df-a5c7-00144feabdc0.html Bill will censor internet, providers claim The UK?s largest internet service providers have fired a broadside at last-minute changes to a law dealing with copyright piracy on the internet, condemning the measures as ?dangerous? and ?unworkable?. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/01d4b400-28a8-11df-b86f-00144feabdc0.html Letter to the editor: Bill threatens UK?s reputation Sir, We regret that the House of Lords adopted amendment 120A to the digital economy bill (?Bill will censor internet, providers claim?, March 6). This amendment not only significantly changes the injunctions procedure in the UK but will lead to an increase in internet service providers blocking websites accused of illegally hosting copyrighted material without cases even reaching a judge. The amendment seeks to address the legitimate concerns of rights-holders but would have unintended consequences that far outweigh any benefits it could bring. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9cd79f4c-2ba7-11df-a5c7-00144feabdc0.html Illegal file-sharing policy criticised by BT boss Plans to suspend the internet accounts of people who download music illegally are unfair, according to the head of Britain's biggest telecoms firm. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8559059.stm ISPs, publishers and academics voice outrage at web-block plan Plans to introduce a law that will force internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to websites accused of hosting copyright-infringing content have been condemned by ISPs, publishers, consumer groups, user rights groups and academics. http://out-law.com/page-10823 UK digital economy bill likely to be pushed through before election The digital economy bill will become law before Parliament is dissolved at the beginning of April ahead of a likely general election in May, senior media industry figures believe. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/mar/05/digital-economy-bill-pushed-through UK government ban on internet firms that do not block child sex sites Public bodies have been banned from using internet companies that refuse to block a range of websites that contain images of child sex abuse, The Times has learnt. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article7055882.ece Online banking fraud losses rise 14% in Britain The amount of money lost to online banking fraud last year rose by 14%, according to figures released today, despite an overall drop in card fraud losses. http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/mar/10/online-banking-fraud-loses-rise European Parliament slams digital copyright treaty The European Parliament took aim Wednesday at a secret intellectual property treaty that has been criticized for possibly giving copyright holders more power to pull the plug on peer-to-peer users. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10467337-38.html http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/business/0,39044229,62061799,00.htm Acta battle coming to a head in Wellington [Dominion Post] Debate over the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement being negotiated with the United States, the European Union and several other countries is coming to a head after the Government invited submissions on the treaty negotiations. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3415929/Acta-battle-coming-to-a-head-in-Wellington ACTA watchdog to keynote InternetNZ event Canadian law professor Michael Geist will be the keynote speaker at InternetNZ's PublicACTA event, to be held in Wellington on 10 April ahead of a multinational meeting on the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/acta-watchdog-to-keynote-internetnz-event Michael Geist To Keynote Publicacta (Internet New Zealand Inc) is excited to announce that renowned Canadian law professor Michael Geist, a world authority on technology law issues, will be the keynote speaker at the PublicACTA event, being held in Wellington on 10 April 2010. http://blog.internetnz.net.nz/?p=310 http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/michael-geist-keynote-publicacta/5/41168 Michael Geist to keynote PublicACTA conference in New Zealand InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) is announcing that renowned Canadian law professor Michael Geist, a world authority on technology law issues, will be the keynote speaker at the PublicACTA event, being held in Wellington on 10 April 2010. http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=8700 Hackers, viruses threaten online voting validity by Michael Geist With the increasing shift from analog to digital, some elections officials are unsurprisingly chomping at the bit to move toward Internet-based voting. Last year, Elections Canada officials mused about the possibility of online voting trials, noting the potential benefits of increasing voter participation, particularly among younger demographics. http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/technology/lawbytes/article/776382--geist-hackers-viruses-threaten-online-voting-validity http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Here+vote+against+Internet+balloting/2662735/story.html http://www.canada.com/business/Here+vote+against+Internet+balloting/2662735/story.html http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Here+vote+against+Internet+balloting/2662735/story.html European ACTA Pressure Intensifies: Transparency Demands, EP Resolution Europe has become the centre of a storm over the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. Late last week, the Government of Sweden announced that the European Union was now uniformally seeking ACTA transparency. The announcement came just days after the Dutch leak that identified the specific countries opposed to a transparent approach. The revelations appear to have had a significant impact as all European Union countries are now said to support release of the ACTA text. http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/4847/125/ Joint European Parliament ACTA Transparency Resolution Tabled, Vote on Wednesday A joint resolution on Transparency and State of Play of ACTA negotiations from virtually all party groups in the European Parliament was tabled earlier today. It will debated tonight and faces a vote on Wednesday. If approved, the resolution marks a major development in the fight over ACTA transparency. It calls for public access to negotiation texts and rules out further confidential negotiations. Moreover, the EP wants a ban on imposing a three-strikes model, assurances that ACTA will not result in personal searchers at the border, and an ACTA impact assessment on fundamental rights and data protection. http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/4848/125/ Internet Freedom Caucus launched, legislation introduced Reps. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., and David Wu, D-Ore., Tuesday announced the launch of a bipartisan Global Internet Freedom Caucus to promote online free expression. At the same event, Wu announced he was introducing legislation aimed at providing groups and individuals with the tools to bypass efforts by some countries to block or censor the Internet. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100310_8780.php ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Techs reflect on decade since dotcom boom In January 2000, 17 dotcom companies paid more than $2m each to advertise during the Super Bowl, the season-ending national championship game for American football. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d66e80b6-2b95-11df-a5c7-00144feabdc0.html S'pore govt calls halt to iPhone app service A popular Singapore iPhone app has hit a snag following instructions from government body, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), to stop pulling data from the latter's Web site. http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/communications/0,39044192,62061737,00.htm ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** France T?l?com Needs 'Radical Change' After Suicides, Report Says France T?l?com?s new management must move quickly ?to take charge and encourage radical change? if it is to put an end to a suicide crisis, according to a study commissioned by the company. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/technology/09telecom.html Forbes rich list topped by Mexican mobile phone titan Carlos Slim The old order is under threat at the world's billionaires club. Traditionally dominated by Americans and Europeans, the top ranks of the world's richest people have been infiltrated by scores of ultra-rich entrepreneurs from the developing world ? capped by the Mexican telecoms tycoon Carlos Slim. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/mar/10/forbes-rich-list-carlos-slim +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2010 --------- 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 "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim FlanneryReceived on Wed Mar 10 2010 - 18:43:53 UTC
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