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 *************************************************** Update on ICANN?s Finances http://blog.icann.org/2010/12/update-on-icanns-finances/ Olympics Committee ready to sue Icann over gTLDs http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2273570/international-olympics .DE Passes 14 Million Registrations http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=12946 Cyberespionage At A Crossroads: Aurora and Stuxnet-type attacks are here to stay, so organizations need a new defense strategy http://www.darkreading.com/insider-threat/167801100/security/attacks-breaches/228500103/cyberespionage-at-a-crossroads.html U.S. Government Seizes 82 Websites: A Glimpse at the Draconian Future of Copyright Enforcement? http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/11/us-government-seizes-82-websites-draconian-future Pirate Bay, Others Fight Back With Plan To Stop Domain Seizures http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/01/bittorrent-dns-domain-seizures_n_790018.html Feds' Crackdown Of Online Counterfeit, Copyrighted Goods Meets DNS Backlash http://www.darkreading.com/insider-threat/167801100/security/vulnerabilities/228500003/feds-crackdown-of-online-counterfeit-copyrighted-goods-meets-dns-backlash.html ICE seizes 82 website domains involved in selling counterfeit goods as part of Cyber Monday crackdown [news release] http://www.ice.gov/news/releases/1011/101129washington.htm Opinion: Seizing domain names without COICA http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2010/11/seizing-domain-names-without-coica.html Four /8 Blocks Allocated to the RIRs ? 2.73% Remains at IANA https://www.arin.net/announcements/2010/20101130.html What the IP address meltdown means for you http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/212114/.html Sinking the online pirates: A U.S. bill seeks to crack down on foreign bootlegging websites. But are its provisions too sweeping? http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-piracy-20101128,0,7950612.story Domain Name Registrations Pass 200 Million Globally http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=12962 ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Committed or Condemned? The Words Matter by Paul Levins A number of people have reported on the International Telecommunications Union's (ITU) Plenipotentiary in Guadalajara. Indeed even the Secretary of the ITU Hamoudin Toure felt the need to comment, saying: "The ITU does not have the intention to take over the Internet. We are condemned to live together, so the question is whether we manage that well or not." A very firm statement - but it needs to be. Many still fear that the ITU is waiting for a moment of inattention by business and the Internet community and that it will pounce and attempt to place itself in a position of control. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20101130_committed_or_condemned_the_words_matter/ ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Possible Historic Expansion of Internet Address Names Takes Center Stage at Cartagena ICANN Meeting The upcoming meeting of ICANN is sparking worldwide attention since it could lead to some of the most sweeping changes in the Internet?s history. ICANN?s Board of Directors will consider lifting limits on the number of new Internet address extensions, called generic-top level domains (gTLDs), which would expand the current list of 21 such extensions (such as .com, .net, etc.) to a vastly larger number of words or characters, marking a dramatic change in Internet addressing. http://icann.org/en/news/releases/release-29nov10-en.pdf Public Participation Committee at ICANN Meeting Are you interested in Public Participation at ICANN? There is a group called the Public Participation Committee (PPC) of the ICANN Board and its Charter was approved in March 2009. According to this Charter, among its other duties, the PPC is primarily responsible for: http://blog.icann.org/2010/11/public-participation-committee-at-icann-meeting/ Update on ICANN?s Finances Earlier this year, we posted information on ICANN?s finances: blog.icann.org/2010/07/icanns-finances-at-a-glance/. Now that the FY10 audit is complete, we thought it would be helpful to provide an update for the community. http://blog.icann.org/2010/12/update-on-icanns-finances/ Public Comment: Community Comment Invited on Petition To Form A New GNSO Not-for-Profit Organizations Constituency The ongoing GNSO Improvements process has created significant community interest in the formation of new GNSO constituencies and several groups have stepped forward to begin the process of forming a new GNSO constituency. The ICANN Board has now received its fifth formal petition - from the prospective Not-for-Profit Organizations Constituency (NPOC). The NPOC proponents propose to join the Non Commercial Stakeholders Group of the GNSO. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-01dec10-en.htm Email from Jun Murai, RSSAC, to ICANN Board of Directors re RSSAC Comments on Root Scaling After we have received your request for the RSSAC response on the root scaling issues, the group has been discussed f2f and online quite intensively. The report below is the committee's consensus view on root scaling at this time. http://icann.org/en/correspondence/murai-to-board-25nov10-en.pdf S?bastien Bachollet Selected Board Director by the ALAC/At-Large Community On 28 November 2010, Cheryl Langdon-Orr, Chair of ALAC, announced that Mr. S?bastien Bachollet had secured the required support from the ALAC/At-Large community electorate to be declared the new Board Director selected by the At-Large community. http://www.atlarge.icann.org/announcements/announcement-30nov10-en.htm Letter from Rod Beckstrom to Chris Disspain, Chuck Gomes, and Cheryl Langdon-Orr Joint DNS Security and Stability Analysis Working Group http://icann.org/en/correspondence/beckstrom-to-disspain-gomes-langdon-orr-30nov10-en.pdf A Tale of Two Governance Models by Steve DelBianco As many of us in the Internet community gear up for the ICANN meeting in Colombia next week, it's important to remember that not everybody embraces the multi-stakeholder approach that we've gradually learned to love. Just a month ago, a group with a very different vision of how to run things wrapped up their own Internet governance meeting in Latin America. Their meeting was three times as long and accomplished about a third as much, but they'd still like to see their model replace the ICANN model. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20101130_a_tale_of_two_governance_models/ Olympics Committee ready to sue Icann over gTLDs Icann could face legal action from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over its proposed rollout of new generic top level domains (gTLDs) if it does not satisfy demands for trademark protection. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2273570/international-olympics Olympics tells ICANN to abandon new TLD launch or get sued The International Olympic Committee has threatened to sue ICANN unless it gives IOC trademarks special protection in its new top-level domains program. http://domainincite.com/olympics-tells-icann-to-abandon-new-tld-launch-or-get-sued/ Olympians threaten ICANN with lawsuit The International Olympic Committee is threatening to sue ICANN if they don't receive protection for IOC trademarks in ICANN's upcoming revisions to its generic top-level domains (gTLD) guidelines. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/11/30/ioc_threatens_to_sue_icann_over_gtld_guidelines/ Olympics Threaten to Sue ICANN. Who Missed the Meeting? The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has again informed ICANN that it will file a lawsuit if its trademarks are not added to a restrictions list for new domain names and if other protections aren?t instituted. http://domainnamewire.com/2010/11/29/olympics-threaten-to-sue-icann-who-missed-the-meeting/ P2P-based alternative to DNS hopes to challenge ICANN [IDG] A group led by former Pirate Bay spokesman Peter Sunde is forming to develop a peer-to-peer-based alternative to today's ICANN-controlled DNS system, according to a blog posted on Tuesday. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369734/p2p-based_alternative_dns_hopes_challenge_icann/ http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/369734/p2p-based_alternative_dns_hopes_challenge_icann/ http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/211969/.html Fed up with ICANN, Pirate Bay cofounder floats P2P DNS system Peter Sunde of Pirate Bay fame has had it with ICANN. Now that the US government is ordering the Internet governance body to remove domain names of copyright infringers from the global DNS, Sunde has sounded a call to arms to create a new Domain Name System to help pirates remain masters of their domain. The new DNS would forego a centralized root?too attractive a target for meddling governments?and use peer-to-peer technology instead. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/11/fed-up-with-icann-pirate-bay-cofounder-floats-p2p-dns-system.ars Pirate Bay co-founder Peter Sunde wants to create a peer-to-peer alternative to current ICANN-controlled DNS Perhaps it was only a matter of time and the idea that a single comprehensive DNS could not last forever, or maybe this new idea is itself doomed to failure. But however it shakes out in the end, the recent proposal by Pirate Bay co-founder Peter Sunde to create a new peer-to-peer domain name system to compete with ICANN?s system is intriguing for some, and terrifying for others. http://news.avn.com/articles/The-Pirates-Want-Their-Own-Internet-418576.html Will You Be Master of Your Domain Name? The structure of the internet is about to fundamentally change. This change may in turn forever alter the way that consumers find businesses, goods, and services on the web. Trademark owners should be acting now so that they are prepared for the new risks and costs associated with the coming change. http://www.law.com/jsp/cc/PubArticleCC.jsp?id=1202475501010 ICANN Gains $4.3M on Investments, War Chest Tops $60 Million ICANN released details of its FY 2010 financial year (which ran through June 2010) today. http://domainnamewire.com/2010/12/01/icann-gains-4-3m-on-investments-war-chest-tops-60-million/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** auDA wants Bottle wound up for its cash The Australian domain regulator auDA has gone to court seeking an order that Australian Style, trading as Bottle Domains, be wound up. http://www.zdnet.com.au/auda-wants-bottle-wound-up-for-its-cash-339307696.htm Rejected Bulgarians want ICANN appeal A handful of Bulgarian internet users have asked ICANN for the right to appeal the rejection of .??, the proposed Cyrillic country-code top-level domain. http://domainincite.com/rejected-bulgarians-want-icann-appeal/ Is Bulgarian Cyrillic .?? (.bg) Really Similar to Other Latin ccTLDs? by George Todoroff Bulgaria has proposed for an Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) ccTLD string .?? (Cyrillic for .bg, or U+0431 U+0433), but the proposal was turned down by the ICANN DNS Stability panel in May 2010 without any arguments or an option for appeal. http://www.circleid.com/posts/is_bulgarian_cyrillic_bg_really_similar_to_other_latin_cctlds/ Swiss registrar registers 1.5 millionth .ch domain name Swiss domain name registrar Switch has registered the 1.5 millionth .ch domain. Switzerland's first three domain names were registered almost 25 years ago already: cern.ch, eth.ch and switch.ch. http://www.telecompaper.com/news/swiss-registrar-registers-15-millionth-ch-domain-name .CO Registry Announces Two Major Domain Security Initiatives [news release] .CO Internet ... announced two major domain security initiatives that reaffirm its commitment to implementing measures to proactively combat domain name abuse, and will help to make .CO one of the safest, most secure domain extensions on the Internet. http://www.cointernet.co/media/press-releases/co-registry-announces-two-major-domain-security-initiatives .CO publishes domain seizure policy .CO Internet reserves the right to shut down your .co domain name if you?re being naughty. http://domainincite.com/co-publishes-domain-seizure-policy/ .DE Passes 14 Million Registrations The German country code Top Level Domain passed the 14 million registrations mark Monday cementing its position as the world?s largest. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=12946 http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/11/29/de-passes-14-million-registrations/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/de-passes-14-million-registrations.html Denic registers 14 millionth .de domain German domain name registrar Denic has registered the 14 millionth .de domain: corangeli-glas-design.de. http://www.telecompaper.com/news/denic-registers-14-millionth-de-domain .PL Domain Registrations Set to Pass 2 Million Registrations of .PL domain names jumped in quarter three, 2010, after a slowdown in the previous quarter to reach 1.9 million active domain names at the end of September with the increase the highest of any of the larger European ccTLDs. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=12949 http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/11/30/pl-domain-registrations-set-to-pass-2-million/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/pl-domain-registrations-set-to-pass-2-million.html Poland sees .pl domain names increase by 72,000 in Q3 Poland's .pl domain names increased by 71,705 in Q3 to 1,906,431, according to statistical data from the Polish registry maintained by Polish operator NASK. http://www.telecompaper.com/news/poland-sees-pl-domain-names-increase-by-72000-in-q3 60,000 .?? Domain Names Unblocked About 60,000 Cyrillic domain names improperly processed by registrar Ru-Center were unfrozen Tuesday, according to the national domain coordinator, which had ordered the temporary blockage. A special commission will be assembled to look into the matter. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/60000--domain-names-unblocked/425391.html Russian Cyrillic TLD Launch Tainted By Scandal The recent launch of Russia?s Cyrillic top level domain, where over 600,000 domain names have been registered in less than three weeks since its launch, has been touched by scandal. According to the registry, tens of thousands of domain names have been registered by the biggest registrar in .??, RU-CENTER, allegedly with the aim of auctioning them off at higher prices among its clients at a later date. The auction has been suspended until their rightful holders have been determined, the Russian registry the Coordination Center for TLD RU, the registry for .RU and .?? (.RF), has said. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=12947 http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/11/29/russian-cyrillic-tld-launch-tainted-by-scandal/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/russian-cyrillic-tld-launch-tainted-by-scandal.html Coordination Centre for TLD .RU sets up domain name registration hotline The Coordination Centre for TLD .RU has set a crisis hotline for persons experiencing problems with registration of ?.RF? domain names. http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=15723234 so: Extending Sunrise Registration .SO Registry would like to inform you with our updated information regarding the schedule. Due to the high demand of the Sunrise Registration for .SO, we have decided to extend the deadline until December 31, 2010. http://soregistry.so/news/detail.html?nid=8 .SO Extends Sunrise Registration The .SO Registry has extended the deadline for its sunrise registration period due to to the high demand until 31 December, 2010. http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/12/01/so-extends-sunrise-registration/ Nominet Proposes Formal .UK Domain Deletion Policy for Criminal Activity Nominet, the registry for .UK domain names, is considering changing its Terms and Conditions to allow it to delete domain names that are used in connection with any activity that would constitute an offence under UK Criminal law. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=12950 http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/11/30/nominet-proposes-formal-uk-domain-deletion-policy-for-criminal-activity/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/nominet-proposes-formal-.uk-domain-deletion-policy-for-criminal-activity.html ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Cyberespionage At A Crossroads: Aurora and Stuxnet-type attacks are here to stay, so organizations need a new defense strategy It's been a milestone week in cyberespionage developments that smacked of a spy movie, with a confession, a killing, and a leaked intelligence cable: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's statement that "enemies" of Iran had successfully used software to disrupt centrifuges in Iran?s nuclear facility, Iran's top nuclear scientist was assassinated, and a U.S. State Department cable obtained by WikiLeaks suggesting that the Chinese government had ordered the Aurora attack against Google. While these events and disclosures fell short of providing actual proof about the success or even who was really behind these high-profile breaches, they punctuated what has been a game-changer of a year for cyberattacks. http://www.darkreading.com/insider-threat/167801100/security/attacks-breaches/228500103/cyberespionage-at-a-crossroads.html VeriSign Launches New DNSSEC Signing Service [news release] VeriSign ... launched a new, in-the-cloud service to ease the implementation of Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC). The VeriSign DNSSEC Signing Service is being offered to registrars to help them incorporate signing and provisioning into their infrastructure, while reducing costs, complexity and the administrative burden associated with implementing DNSSEC support for their customers. https://press.verisign.com/easyir/customrel.do?easyirid=AFC0FF0DB5C560D3&version=live&prid=692481&releasejsp=custom_97 VeriSign opens up DNSSec signing system VeriSign has announced the rollout of DNSSec signing services to registrars. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2273620/verisign-dnssec-security Tuning in to the background hum of the net Everything you do on the internet involves packets of data flying between your machine and whatever you are trying to do, be that bidding on eBay, using a search engine or watching video clips on YouTube. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11863294 China arrests hundreds of hackers, says situation "grim" China has arrested more than 460 hackers from start of this year to the end of November, but the prospects to prevent future assaults on computer security remain grim, the ministry of public security said. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-53258720101201 http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6B00WO20101201 Iran says nuclear programme was hit by sabotage Iran's president has said some of the centrifuges used in its uranium enrichment programme were sabotaged, raising suspicions that they were targeted by the Stuxnet computer worm. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11868596 ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Groups vow to fight gov't takedowns of websites [IDG] The Electronic Frontier Foundation and the operator of Torrent-finder.com have separately vowed to fight domain-name seizures by two U.S. agencies in recent days. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369758/groups_vow_fight_gov_t_takedowns_websites/ http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9198681/Groups_vow_to_fight_gov_t_takedowns_of_Web_sites http://www.cio.com.au/article/369758/groups_vow_fight_gov_t_takedowns_websites/ U.S. Government Seizes 82 Websites: A Glimpse at the Draconian Future of Copyright Enforcement? Over the past few days, the U.S. Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security and nine U.S. Attorneys? Offices seized 82 domain names of websites they claim were engaged in the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods and illegal copyrighted works. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/11/us-government-seizes-82-websites-draconian-future Pirate Bay, Others Fight Back With Plan To Stop Domain Seizures A BitTorrent-based DNS system has been proposed to combat the government's ability to seize domains at will. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/01/bittorrent-dns-domain-seizures_n_790018.html US Courts shut down 82 sites for alleged copyright violations [IDG] Two U.S. government agencies have obtained seizure orders for the domain names of 82 websites accused of selling products that infringe copyright law, including music, movies and handbags. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369616/courts_shut_down_82_sites_alleged_copyright_violations/ http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9198338/Courts_shut_down_82_sites_for_alleged_copyright_violations Feds' Crackdown Of Online Counterfeit, Copyrighted Goods Meets DNS Backlash In the wake of federal crackdowns, such as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) mass seizure yesterday of 82 domain names of websites illegally selling and distributing counterfeit and copyrighted items, a group is building out a new point-to-point DNS system as a way for sites to dodge future domain takeovers by the feds. http://www.darkreading.com/insider-threat/167801100/security/vulnerabilities/228500003/feds-crackdown-of-online-counterfeit-copyrighted-goods-meets-dns-backlash.html ICANN had no role in seizing torrent domains As you may have read, the US government ?seized? a bunch of domain names that were hosting sites allegedly involved in piracy and counterfeit goods over the Thanksgiving weekend. http://domainincite.com/icann-had-no-role-in-seizing-torrent-domains/ File-sharers try to create .p2p domain A move to create a .p2p top-level domain outside of the regular DNS root is under way. http://domainincite.com/file-sharers-try-to-create-p2p-domain/ Gov Crackdown On "Rogue" Websites Stirs Concern In response to news that the Obama administration shut down a number of Web addresses of sites that facilitate illegal file-sharing or sell counterfeit goods, public interest groups expressed concern about the precedent it sets. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2010/11/gov-crackdown-on-rogue-website.php ICE seizes 82 website domains involved in selling counterfeit goods as part of Cyber Monday crackdown [news release] Seizure orders have been executed against 82 domain names of commercial websites engaged in the illegal sale and distribution of counterfeit goods and copyrighted works as part of Operation In Our Sites v. 2.0, as part of an ongoing investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). http://www.ice.gov/news/releases/1011/101129washington.htm Opinion: Seizing domain names without COICA Numerous tech advocacy groups have railed against S 3804, the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act, for proposing to give the Justice Department the power to seize domain names from sites around the globe that are "dedicated to infringing activities." But the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement division demonstrated over the holiday weekend that the feds already have substantial power to confiscate domains from accused infringers, thanks to a 2008 law sponsored by the senator who authored S 3804, Vermont Democrat (and occasional actor) Patrick Leahy. http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2010/11/seizing-domain-names-without-coica.html Morgan Stanley Gets ?Screwed By? Trademark Dispute Morgan Stanley has lost a challenge at National Arbitration Forum for the domain names screwedbymorganstanleysmithbarney.com and screwedbymorganstanley.com. http://domainnamewire.com/2010/11/30/morgan-stanley-gets-screwed-by-trademark-dispute/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** ITU, the Internet, and a Very Contentious Footnote by Sam Dickinson I was part of a small APNIC delegation that attended the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-10) with a limited Sector Member role as an observer. Our aim was to be available to ITU Member States with questions on IP addressing issues and to follow Member State discussions on the ITU's role in Internet governance issues. Four adopted resolutions at PP-10 were of particular relevance to Internet management, of which one was new: "Facilitating the transition from IPv4 to IPv6". http://www.circleid.com/posts/20101129_itu_the_internet_and_a_very_contentious_footnote/ Four /8 Blocks Allocated to the RIRs ? 2.73% Remains at IANA Today, 30 November 2010, the IANA allocated four /8s to the RIRs ? 23/8 and 100/8 to ARIN and 5/8 and 37/8 to RIPE NCC. This leaves only seven /8s remaining in IANA free pool of IPv4 addresses, or 2.73% of the total. https://www.arin.net/announcements/2010/20101130.html Global pool of IPv4 addresses set to run dry in weeks by Iljitsch van Beijnum Yesterday, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA, part of ICANN), allocated two blocks of 16.8 million IPv4 addresses to the RIPE NCC and another two blocks to ARIN. The RIPE NCC and ARIN are the Regional Internet Registries that give out IP addresses in greater Europe and North America, respectively. This brings the global pool of still available "/8" address blocks that IANA maintains from 11 down to 7. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/12/global-pool-of-ipv4-addresses-set-to-run-dry-in-weeks.ars What the IP address meltdown means for you The world is running out of IPv4 Internet addresses, without which the Internet can't function in its existing form. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/212114/.html http://www.techworld.com.au/article/369921/what_ip_address_meltdown_means/ http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369921/what_ip_address_meltdown_means/ http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/120110-what-the-ip-address-meltdown.html ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Sinking the online pirates: A U.S. bill seeks to crack down on foreign bootlegging websites. But are its provisions too sweeping? Imagine having a nemesis who assaults you daily (often mocking you as it does) yet somehow stays beyond the reach of the law. That's a rough approximation of the entertainment industry's view of online piracy ? particularly the kind practiced by the likes of Sweden's The Pirate Bay, Latvia's mp3fiesta and a growing number of websites that stream bootlegged movies and TV shows from digital lockers. Such sites exist almost exclusively to promote illegal downloading or streaming of movies, music, video games and software, making money through advertisements or even by selling unauthorized copies of the works themselves. ... Some critics have complained that the Leahy bill isn't targeted narrowly enough, so it conceivably could be used against sites that provide a useful outlet for legitimate content distributors in addition to bootleggers. Another criticism is that the bill wouldn't give offending sites a fair chance to defend themselves. In fact, the Justice Department wouldn't even have to inform the actual operator of the site before obtaining an injunction against it ? it would simply have to send a notice to whoever is listed as the domain name's registrant. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-piracy-20101128,0,7950612.story Domain Name Registrations Pass 200 Million Globally There are now more than 200 million domain names registered around the world, an increase of 3.8 million domain names or two per cent over the previous quarter according to the latest VeriSign Domain Name Industry Brief. Over the past year the increase has been 13.3 million domain names, or seven per cent. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=12962 http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/11/30/domain-name-registrations-pass-200-million-globally/ Internet Grows to Nearly 202 Million Domain Names in Third Quarter of 2010 The global base of Internet domain names grew by nearly 3.8 million in the third quarter of 2010, according to the latest Domain Name Industry Brief, published by VeriSign, Inc. https://press.verisign.com/easyir/customrel.do?easyirid=AFC0FF0DB5C560D3&version=live&prid=691769&releasejsp=custom_97 ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** The cheapest place on the planet to get broadband? It's certainly not the UK Where's the best value for money for broadband? South Korea? The UK? No - it turns out to be Hong Kong, according to a study by the broadband consultancy Point Topic. ... The next in the top ten are Japan, Romania, Sweden, Latvia, China, Singapore, Russia, Germany and Finland. The UK finally appears at No.24, ahead of the US which is at No.30. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2010/nov/30/broadband-world-map-point-topic UK lags on broadband and mobile Only a tiny percentage of UK homes have super-fast broadband and mobile speeds are slow compared to other nations, Ofcom has revealed. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11889302 Race Is On to 'Fingerprint' Phones, PCs David Norris wants to collect the digital equivalent of fingerprints from every computer, cellphone and TV set-top box in the world. He's off to a good start. So far, Mr. Norris's start-up company, BlueCava Inc., has identified 200 million devices. By the end of next year, BlueCava says it expects to have cataloged one billion of the world's estimated 10 billion devices. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704679204575646704100959546.html Google Set to Launch E-Book Venture Google Inc. is in the final stages of launching its long-awaited e-book retailing venture, Google Editions, a move that could shake up the way digital books are sold. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704369304575632602305759466.html Internet access to return to flights, says Lufthansa [AFP] The leading German airline, Lufthansa, said Tuesday that it will offer Internet access on nearly its entire network by the end of next year, beginning with some flights to North America. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/internet-access-to-return-to-flights-says-lufthansa-20101201-18fkg.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/internet-access-to-return-to-flights-says-lufthansa-20101201-18fkg.html N.Zealand website defends topless breast cancer campaign [AFP] A New Zealand online women's magazine on Thursday defended a breast cancer campaign that encourages young women to submit topless pictures for publication on the Internet. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/nzealand-website-defends-topless-breast-cancer-campaign-20101202-18h9m.html ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** The Zuckerberg Revolution: Social media have increased the volume of our communications yet diminished the substance of them America's favorite boy genius, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, has announced a new form of messaging. E-mail, the last Internet link to traditional, epistolary, interpersonal communication, is, he said, outmoded. Young people, by which he meant younger than his own 26 years, desired something more nimble for their iPads, mobile phones and other devices. What he proposed was a "social inbox" where users could readily access messages from friends and then sort them ? sort of a cross between instant messaging and Twitter. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-gabler-zuckerberg-20101128,0,7889675.story Twitter: 140 characters of legal nightmare It's been one of those issues the Twitterati love - because it's all about them and their beloved medium. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/30/3080634.htm Australian police serve an intervention order via Facebook: social media as the next frontier in legal process? [Clayton Utz] In an Australian first, Victoria Police has served an intervention order using Facebook. The offender had harassed his former partner on the social networking site two days after the expiration of an earlier intervention order. http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=76eb04e1-6804-462c-b4f3-34430b3e5d58 ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** DVD industry in crisis as sales slump as on-demand viewing and the digital games revolution take their toll on DVD and Blu-ray Spare a thought this Christmas for James Bond, kicking his heels at MI6 and getting under M's feet. Daniel Craig was forced to holster his Walther PPK when Bond 23 was put on hold following the bankruptcy of MGM, under a mountain of debt. The studio's woes were in considerable part the fallout from a phenomenon that threatens not just Hollywood blockbusters but the continuing supply of high-end, home-produced drama and comedy: a sales slump, which may prove terminal, in the once all-conquering DVD home entertainment market. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/nov/29/dvd-industry-sales-slump-blu-ray Apple's iPad tablet eats into PC market When Steve Jobs in January described the new iPad tablet computer as "magical", PC manufacturers perhaps didn't imagine that the magic would be to subtract money from their bottom line and add it to Apple's. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/nov/29/apple-ipad-cannibalising-pc-sales Tablets won't kill the PC anytime soon, says analyst Although the Apple iPad and other tablets have started cutting into sales of personal computers, don't expect PCs to go extinct anytime soon. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/113010-tablets-pc.html Microsoft files patent for shape-shifting and light-sensitive touchscreens Microsoft is working on touchscreens that wouldn't simply lay flat -- as many smart phones and tablet computers do now -- but would offer displays that rise up and change shape to simulate textures and objects in different apps. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/11/microsoft-files-patent-for-shape-shifting-and-light-sensitive-touchscreens.html ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ us: What?s ?bullying?? The state?s new law is so vague that it has led to unintended consequences THE STATE?S new anti-bullying law is widely heralded as the most aggressive in the country. It criminalizes bullying and cyber-bullying by students, and requires schools to ferret out and respond to such incidents, many of which take place outside of school. http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/12/01/whats_bullying/ Bullying ? Media Hype or Old-School Problem? Bullying and cyber-bullying have been making lots of headlines in the past several weeks. There?s increased media attention on the topic (although one does need to question if it?s an epidemic). So, not to be left out, groups are popping up websites to capitalize on the bullying trend. http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/12/bullying-media-hype-or-old-school-problem/ Child abuse sites fuelled by Australians [AAP] Australians took part in child abuse which fuelled an international network of websites selling pay-per-view video and still images of sickening child porn, authorities say. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/child-abuse-sites-fuelled-by-australians-20101201-18g9x.html Australia battles child porn trend [AAP] The production of child pornography has emerged as a "disturbing trend" in Australia, police say. http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/4416375/Australia-battles-child-porn-trend au: MPs or staff accessed child porn sites, report finds NSW MPs or their staff have accessed websites containing child pornography on parliamentary computers, an independent inquiry has found. http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/mps-or-staff-accessed-child-porn-sites-report-finds-20101202-18hd6.html Child porn may have been viewed by NSW MPs A report tabled in the New South Wales Parliament has found that MPs or their staff have accessed websites containing "sexually explicit images of young people." http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/02/3082707.htm Child porn sites accessed at NSW parliament, audit finds NSW MPs or their staff have allegedly visited child pornography sites on parliament house computers. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/child-porn-sites-accessed-at-nsw-parliament-audit-finds/story-fn59niix-1225964504174 au: Attorney-General overwhelmed by support for R18+ games classification Some 98.2 per cent of individual submissions responding to the federal government?s R18+ computer games classification discussion paper support the introduction of an adult rating for games, according to the Attorney-General?s Department. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369850/attorney-general_overwhelmed_by_support_r18_games_classification/ au: Findings on video game violence 'too hasty' [AAP] A federal government review of research into the effects of violent video games has been too hasty to dismiss studies showing links to aggression, the Australian Christian Lobby says. http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/games/findings-on-video-game-violence-too-hasty-20101202-18gux.html http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369983/findings_video_violence_too_hasty_/ http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/games/4416234/Findings-on-video-game-violence-too-hasty nz: Rural school used in phone scam Assertive foreign cold-call scammers appear to be ramping up their campaign in Otago, this time using a rural Dunedin school as a pawn in their game. http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/138861/rural-school-used-phone-scam 'Cyber bullying' problem for Thai kids A private organisation concerned about the welfare of Thai children has released the results of a survey into a recent Internet-based phenomenon called "cyber bullying". http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2010/12/02/technology/Cyber-bullying-problem-for-Thai-kids-30143640.html New reports on Idol, online gaming and Swedish media habits The Swedish Media Council has launched four new reports during the autumn of 2010: one looking at the impact of the popular TV programme 'Idol' on children and young people, one looking at the impact of online gaming, and two detailing results from the 'Kids and Media Study 2010' for both older and younger children. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_pos=2&p_p_col_count=3&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=125242 at: New series of guidebooks to raise awareness among parents By the end of 2010, the Austrian Safer Internet Centre will publish two parents? guides with practical advice on how to deal with their children?s online and gaming behaviour. A third guidebook, focusing on ?Sexuality on the internet?, will be released in early 2011. These guidebooks are primarily targeted at parents who would like to increase their children?s competence in using new media such as the internet, games or social networks. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=125077 European Award for Best Children's Online Content The European Award for Best Children?s Online Content has recently been launched, with the aim of showcasing quality content for 6-12 year olds which is already online, and encouraging the production of new quality online content which aims to benefit children in some way. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_pos=2&p_p_col_count=3&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=119748 Country-specific findings from the EU Kids Online study Last month we reported on the initial findings from the EU Kids Online study, which looked at risks and safety on the internet from the perspective of 23,000 children and their parents across 25 European countries. This month has seen the launch in the first of a series of country-specific reports, with a focus on the UK. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_pos=2&p_p_col_count=3&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=125248 pl: New e-learning course for adults The Safer Internet Centre in Poland has developed a new e-learning course for adults, aimed at parents and professionals working with children. Based on research and experiences from the national helpline (helpline.org.pl), the resource provides an overview of online safety issues, tips on prevention, and signposts to additional resources. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=125212 pl: ?3... 2... 1... Internet? recognised as ?Educational Initiative of the Year 2010? The ?3... 2...1... Internet? resource was launched in May 2009 by Nobody?s Children Foundation and Microsoft, with the aim of promoting safe use of the internet and new technologies. Since that time, it has been widely promoted and has proved to be a very effective educational tool for senior primary school children. Recent months have seen the launch of a new version of the resource for students with hearing impairments, and recognition through receipt of a prestigious award. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_pos=2&p_p_col_count=3&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=125253 uk: New guide for parents and teachers on music, film, TV and the internet There are many great ways of accessing music, film, TV and video safely and legally online. This new guide from Childnet International aims to keep parents, teachers and young people well-informed on how to stay safe and legal when enjoying entertainment on the internet or via a mobile device. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=125180 se: New website with facts on children?s internet habits ? Mediebarn.se What are kids up to when using the computer? Which are their favourite web sites and what do they do when they visit them? When do they start using computers and how does their use evolve throughout childhood? Since 2005, the Swedish Media Council has been addressing these questions through the ?Kids and Media Survey?. The latest results from the 2010 survey are now available online. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=125137 New ?Digital Parenting? magazine from Vodafone Vodafone has created a new magazine called ?Digital Parenting? to help parents get to grips and get involved with their children?s digital world. The magazine brings together experts from around the world to give parents the latest advice on digital issues, such as online reputation, location services, sexting, cyberbullying and illegal content. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=125199 Resource roundup for parents and teachers from Insafe and European Schoolnet Insafe and European Schoolnet have developed a range of new and exciting resources and initiatives to support families and educators in their role of helping young people to use new technologies safely and responsibility. Here we provide a roundup of what's on offer. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=125327 Safer Internet Day 2011: Two months and counting... Safer Internet Day is already in the air and, in a little more than two months, on 8 February 2011, the eighth edition of Safer Internet Day will be celebrated in more than 65 countries across the world. This year, through the theme ?virtual lives? we invite you to discover how your real self survives the virtual experience. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_pos=2&p_p_col_count=3&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=125236 Gaming advice from PEGI PEGI ? the Pan-European Game Information age rating system ? provides advice regarding the age suitability of video games. However, every child is different, and this should be taken into account when making purchasing decisions. Ultimately parents should decide what their children are capable of viewing or experiencing when gaming. Here, PEGI provide some top tips for parents and information on a free iTunes app to check game ratings on the move - ideal when Christmas shopping! http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=125192 ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** EFF Asks Judges to Protect Identities in Porn-Downloading Lawsuits; Risk of Embarrassment Pressures Defendants to Settle, Regardless of Merit The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has asked judges in Texas and West Virginia to block requests to unmask accused file sharers in several predatory copyright troll lawsuits involving the alleged illegal downloading of pornography. http://www.eff.org/press/archives/2010/11/29 Microsoft in talks for new TV service - sources Microsoft Corp has held talks with media companies to licence TV networks for a new online pay-television subscription service through devices such as its Xbox video game console, two people familiar with the plans told Reuters. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6AS2Y120101129 http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/4405324/Microsoft-eyes-leap-back-into-TV Sinking the online pirates: A U.S. bill seeks to crack down on foreign bootlegging websites. But are its provisions too sweeping? Imagine having a nemesis who assaults you daily (often mocking you as it does) yet somehow stays beyond the reach of the law. That's a rough approximation of the entertainment industry's view of online piracy ? particularly the kind practiced by the likes of Sweden's The Pirate Bay, Latvia's mp3fiesta and a growing number of websites that stream bootlegged movies and TV shows from digital lockers. Such sites exist almost exclusively to promote illegal downloading or streaming of movies, music, video games and software, making money through advertisements or even by selling unauthorized copies of the works themselves. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-piracy-20101128,0,7950612.story Internet TV proves to be quite a handful Setup and the remote may flummox Gramps, but savvy users may decide it's worth it to surf the Web on a big screen. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-google-tv-20101128,0,7253627.story UK TV streaming service fails to have copyright suit thrown out The activities of a television streaming website are covered by copyright law despite the fact that it is not itself a broadcaster, the High Court has ruled. http://out-law.com/page-11616 What's the future of TV in New Zealand? The Government has kicked off a $13 million marketing campaign to encourage the 29 per cent of the country's households still watching analogue TV to switch to digital services ahead of the planned shutdown of analogue transmissions in November 2013. http://sciblogs.co.nz/griffins-gadgets/2010/12/01/whats-the-future-of-tv-in-new-zealand/ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10691537 Mobile TV to remain niche in India Despite its growth potential, mobile TV will remain a niche service in India due to several key challenges including high costs and lack of clarity in terms of revenue sharing, according to industry analysts. http://www.zdnetasia.com/mobile-tv-to-remain-niche-in-india-62204797.htm ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Battery power, wireless spectrum hold back mobile computing Innovations in mobile computing will continue apace in coming years, but battery power and wireless spectrum could become critical obstacles, according to mobile executives speaking Tuesday evening at a gathering in Silicon Valley. http://infoworld.com/d/mobilize/battery-power-wireless-spectrum-hold-back-mobile-computing-301 http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369883/battery_power_wireless_spectrum_hold_back_mobile_computing/ http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/120110-battery-power-wireless-spectrum-hold.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/212129/.html Mobile internet is already dominant, survey says The people behind the Opera mobile Web browser have released the results of their State of the Mobile Web survey, which questioned 300,000 users in July and August this year. It makes for fascinating reading. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/211856/.html http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369613/mobile_internet_already_dominant_survey_says/ Vodafone cuts European data-roaming rates Vodafone is to cut its data-roaming rates for much of Europe in a bid to boost smartphone sales, the operator announced on Monday. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/mobile-working/2010/11/29/vodafone-cuts-european-data-roaming-rates-40091004/ us: Verizon's LTE pricing may trigger 4G rate war [IDG] Verizon Wireless is undercutting its own 3G plans with pricing for the LTE network scheduled to go live on Sunday, possibly marking the beginning of a fight to capture high-speed wireless subscribers. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9199078/Verizon_s_LTE_pricing_may_trigger_4G_rate_war us: EBay Shows Where Mobile Shopping Is Hot Using a cell phone to shop on eBay is big in San Francisco, along with most metropolitan areas. But mobile commerce has yet to catch on in the West Texas desert, most of South Dakota and rural Illinois. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/ebay-shows-where-mobile-shopping-is-hot/ ********************** SPAM ********************** au: Spam Act mixed success: ACMA The Spam Act 2003 has proved successful in combating the proliferation of unwanted emails in Australia but has limited benefit for combating international spam, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369980/spam_act_mixed_success_acma/ ********************** DIGITAL DIVIDE ********************** Mobile Banking in the Emerging World In Tanzania, a hospital sends money by text message to women in remote areas so they can pay for bus fare to travel for critically needed surgery. In Afghanistan, the government pays its police officers by text message to skirt corrupt middlemen. In Pakistan, the biggest financial network is not a bank, but a unit of Telenor, the Norwegian mobile phone operator. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/29/business/global/29iht-mobilebanks29.html ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** Cyberespionage At A Crossroads: Aurora and Stuxnet-type attacks are here to stay, so organizations need a new defense strategy It's been a milestone week in cyberespionage developments that smacked of a spy movie, with a confession, a killing, and a leaked intelligence cable: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's statement that "enemies" of Iran had successfully used software to disrupt centrifuges in Iran?s nuclear facility, Iran's top nuclear scientist was assassinated, and a U.S. State Department cable obtained by WikiLeaks suggesting that the Chinese government had ordered the Aurora attack against Google. While these events and disclosures fell short of providing actual proof about the success or even who was really behind these high-profile breaches, they punctuated what has been a game-changer of a year for cyberattacks. http://www.darkreading.com/insider-threat/167801100/security/attacks-breaches/228500103/cyberespionage-at-a-crossroads.html Sinking the online pirates: A U.S. bill seeks to crack down on foreign bootlegging websites. But are its provisions too sweeping? Imagine having a nemesis who assaults you daily (often mocking you as it does) yet somehow stays beyond the reach of the law. That's a rough approximation of the entertainment industry's view of online piracy ? particularly the kind practiced by the likes of Sweden's The Pirate Bay, Latvia's mp3fiesta and a growing number of websites that stream bootlegged movies and TV shows from digital lockers. Such sites exist almost exclusively to promote illegal downloading or streaming of movies, music, video games and software, making money through advertisements or even by selling unauthorized copies of the works themselves. ... Some critics have complained that the Leahy bill isn't targeted narrowly enough, so it conceivably could be used against sites that provide a useful outlet for legitimate content distributors in addition to bootleggers. Another criticism is that the bill wouldn't give offending sites a fair chance to defend themselves. In fact, the Justice Department wouldn't even have to inform the actual operator of the site before obtaining an injunction against it ? it would simply have to send a notice to whoever is listed as the domain name's registrant. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-piracy-20101128,0,7950612.story Groups vow to fight gov't takedowns of websites [IDG] The Electronic Frontier Foundation and the operator of Torrent-finder.com have separately vowed to fight domain-name seizures by two U.S. agencies in recent days. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369758/groups_vow_fight_gov_t_takedowns_websites/ http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9198681/Groups_vow_to_fight_gov_t_takedowns_of_Web_sites http://www.cio.com.au/article/369758/groups_vow_fight_gov_t_takedowns_websites/ U.S. Government Seizes 82 Websites: A Glimpse at the Draconian Future of Copyright Enforcement? Over the past few days, the U.S. Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security and nine U.S. Attorneys? Offices seized 82 domain names of websites they claim were engaged in the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods and illegal copyrighted works. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/11/us-government-seizes-82-websites-draconian-future Pirate Bay, Others Fight Back With Plan To Stop Domain Seizures A BitTorrent-based DNS system has been proposed to combat the government's ability to seize domains at will. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/01/bittorrent-dns-domain-seizures_n_790018.html US Courts shut down 82 sites for alleged copyright violations [IDG] Two U.S. government agencies have obtained seizure orders for the domain names of 82 websites accused of selling products that infringe copyright law, including music, movies and handbags. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369616/courts_shut_down_82_sites_alleged_copyright_violations/ http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9198338/Courts_shut_down_82_sites_for_alleged_copyright_violations Supreme Court shoots down Tiffany appeal in eBay trademark case The US Supreme Court on Monday weighed in on another case watched by the tech industry, rejecting Tiffany & Co's appeal in its drawn-out trademark infringement suit against online auction site eBay. The company has long maintained that eBay was responsible for preventing auctions of counterfeit Tiffany jewelry and other items, but federal and appellate judges disagreed. The Supreme Court justices upheld those earlier decisions. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/11/supreme-court-shoots-down-tiffany-appeal-in-ebay-trademark-case.ars High court rejects Tiffany's appeal in eBay suit eBay has won the latest and seemingly last round in a lawsuit filed by jewelery maker Tiffany over alleged trademark infringement. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20024128-93.html Google Acts to Eliminate Distasteful Web Sellers Google announced on Wednesday that it had changed the way it ranks search results so that unscrupulous merchants would find it hard to appear prominently in searches. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/02/technology/02ranking.html WikiLeaks cables: US spurned Gary McKinnon plea from Gordon Brown Leaked US embassy cables reveal that Gordon Brown unsuccessfully put his reputation as prime minister on the line in a plea to Washington that the computer hacker Gary McKinnon be allowed to serve any sentence in the UK. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/30/wikileaks-cables-gary-mckinnon-gordon-brown David Blunkett voices regrets over Gary McKinnon and extradition treaty David Blunkett said today that he knew about Gordon Brown's attempt to appeal to Washington over the fate of Gary McKinnon and that he thought it had been a "really good idea". http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/30/david-blunkett-extradition-mckinnon-wikileaks Police urge international cybercrime cooperation International policing authorities have urged for greater harmonisation of cybercrime laws between countries to better share information and collaborate on global crime waves. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369833/police_urge_international_cybercrime_cooperation/ London Olympic cyber security plan to be developed [news release] A cyber security plan for the 2012 Olympics is to be developed to help disrupt criminal activity on the internet and protect IT networks. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/news/olympic-cyber EFCC - Nigeria on Cyber Crime Top Ten List The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said Nigeria is now ranked third among the top ten sources of cyber crime in the world just as it said over $557million were lost globally to cyber criminals in 2009. http://nigerianbulletin.com/2010/12/01/efcc-nigeria-on-cybercrime-top-ten-list-daily-trust/ http://allafrica.com/stories/201012010182.html Cyber crime: bigger than the drugs trade, and growing [AFP] Until Eoin Blackwell arrived at his Sydney home from a Christmas party, he had no idea his bank account had been emptied from half-a-world away. ... Blackwell is among the 65 per cent of the world's two billion internet users estimated to have fallen victim to cyber crime, a trade so lucrative it is thought to be worth several times more than the illegal drugs racket. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/security/cyber-crime-bigger-than-the-drugs-trade-and-growing-20101202-18h03.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/cyber-crime-bigger-than-the-drugs-trade-and-growing-20101202-18h03.html http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10691560 Australian hacker infected 2000 computers [AAP] An Australian computer hacker infected more than 2000 computers in Australia and overseas with a program to capture banking details, a court has heard. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/4411504/Australian-hacker-infected-2000-computers http://www.theage.com.au/technology/security/australian-hacker-infected-2000-computers-20101201-18g8a.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/australian-hacker-infected-2000-computers-20101201-18g8a.html ************************** PRIVACY ************************** Hiding Online Footprints: Makers of Firefox Browser Explore Do-Not-Track Tool After Scrapping Earlier Effort The makers of the popular Firefox Web browser are exploring ways to create a do-not-track mechanism that could offer Internet users a way to avoid being monitored online. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704584804575645074178700984.html us: Agency Proposes 'Do Not Track' Option for Web Users Signaling a sea change in the debate over Internet privacy, the government?s top consumer protection agency on Wednesday advocated a plan that would let consumers choose whether they want their Internet browsing and buying habits monitored. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/02/business/media/02privacy.html FTC Backs Do-Not-Track System for Web The Federal Trade Commission weighed in on the issue of Internet privacy Wednesday, calling for development of a "do not track" system that would enable people to avoid having their actions monitored online?prompting immediate objections from the online-advertising industry. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704594804575648670826747094.html FTC wants 'Do Not Track' button on internet [AFP] US regulators in charge of protecting the privacy of consumers are proposing safeguards including a "Do Not Track" mechanism for people who want to be stealthy online. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/ftc-wants-do-not-track-button-on-internet-20101202-18h0r.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/ftc-wants-do-not-track-button-on-internet-20101202-18h0r.html FTC Report Calls For Do-Not-Track System The Federal Trade Commission's staff report released Wednesday on ways to improve online consumer privacy calls for the creation of a "do-not-track" system that would allow consumers to opt out of being tracked when surfing online. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2010/12/ftc-report-calls-for-donottrac.php FTC Official Says Do-Not-Track Is Feasible A key Federal Trade Commission official provided some details about the commission's staff privacy report that will be released Wednesday, saying that he believed that the technology is available to implement a "do-not-track" system and would provide consumers a simpler way to control their privacy online. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2010/12/ftc-official-says-donottrack-i.php Two agencies favor Do Not Track option to protect Web user privacy The Commerce Department believes industry practices to protect Internet users' privacy, such as the creation of a Do Not Track online tool, should be voluntary but enforceable, a department official said on Wednesday. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20101201_8251.php FTC backs 'do not track' list for Web users U.S. regulators backed the creation of a "do not track" option for the Internet that would limit the ability of advertisers to collect consumers' data. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-53285320101202 Opinion: Where Anonymity Breeds Contempt There you are, peacefully reading an article or watching a video on the Internet. You finish, find it thought-provoking, and scroll down to the comments section to see what other people thought. And there, lurking among dozens of well-intentioned opinions, is a troll. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/opinion/30zhuo.html ?sterreich: Google darf wieder fotografieren Die ?sterreichische Datenschutzkommission hat den Google Street View-Autos prinzipiell freie Fahrt gegeben. Ein Bescheid, der das Projekt in ?sterreich im Fr?hjahr gestoppt hat, ist aufgehoben worden, sagte die Sprecherin Eva Souhrada-Kirchmayer am Dienstag gegen?ber der APA. Das Unternehmen muss aber f?r das Registrierungsverfahren noch Pr?zisierungsdaten nachliefern. ?Dieser Bescheid hat aber keine aufschiebende Wirkung?, so Souhrada-Kirchmayer. http://www.futurezone.at/stories/1664715/ ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** China blocks access to WikiLeaks [IDG] China has blocked Internet access to WikiLeaks' release of more than 250,000 U.S. Department of State cables, with its Foreign Ministry saying that it does not want to see any disturbance in China-U.S. relations. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9198578/China_blocks_access_to_WikiLeaks http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/211958/.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** EU launches antitrust probe into alleged Google abuses The European Commission has launched an investigation into Google after other search engines complained that the firm had abused its dominant position. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11876443 EU to launch Google search investigation The European Commission today launched a formal investigation into Google following allegations that the internet giant has abused its dominant position in the search and advertising market. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/nov/30/google-search-eu-investigation Google search investigation sparked by complaint from British site A tiny British shopping comparison site has triggered an investigation by the European Commission into whether Google is abusing its monopoly position by deliberately lowering rivals' sites in its search results. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/nov/30/google-investigation-eu-british-complaint Foundem accuses Google of using its power to favour own links Foundem is a shopping comparison site whose founders woke up one day in June 2006 to discover that the worst had happened: it had vanished from Google. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/nov/30/google-foundem-ec-competition-rules E.U. Opens Antitrust Investigation Into Google The top European antitrust regulator opened an investigation into Google on Tuesday to examine allegations that the Internet giant has abused its dominance in online search. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/technology/01google.html Google investigated over alleged antitrust violations The European Commission has opened an investigation into Google's search engine business to discover whether it should be fined for abusing its dominant market position to benefit itself at the expense of competitors. http://out-law.com/page-11634 E.U. launches formal antitrust investigation into Google The European Commission, the European Union's executive body, said Tuesday it has opened a formal antitrust investigation into Google's search practices. The E.C. said in a release it will focus on whether Google illegally used its dominance in search to lower the rankings of unpaid search results from competitors while giving preferential rankings to its own services. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2010/11/eu_launches_formal_antitrust_i.html Google probe opens up complex issues When regulators in Brussels and Washington last looked into whether the algorithms embedded in a search system gave unfair preference to some results over others, they decided that intervention was in order. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f2ff5f2a-fcb4-11df-bfdd-00144feab49a,dwp_uuid=9a36c1aa-3016-11da-ba9f-00000e2511c8.html What the EU wants to investigate Allegation 1: Google has abused its dominant market position in online search by giving preferential placement to its own vertical search or price comparison services at the?expense?of?its rivals. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d1937efc-fc91-11df-a9c5-00144feab49a,dwp_uuid=9a36c1aa-3016-11da-ba9f-00000e2511c8.html Antitrust: Commission probes allegations of antitrust violations by Google [news release] The European Commission has decided to open an antitrust investigation into allegations that Google Inc. has abused a dominant position in online search, in violation of European Union rules (Article 102 TFEU). The opening of formal proceedings follows complaints by search service providers about unfavourable treatment of their services in Google's unpaid and sponsored search results coupled with an alleged preferential placement of Google's own services. This initiation of proceedings does not imply that the Commission has proof of any infringements. It only signifies that the Commission will conduct an in-depth investigation of the case as a matter of priority. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/1624 F.C.C. Chairman Sets a Framework for Regulating Broadband Providers Thwarted by the courts, by lawmakers on Capitol Hill and by some of his fellow commissioners, the Federal Communications Commission chairman will try again on Wednesday to devise a new strategy for regulating broadband Internet service providers. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/technology/01fcc.html Web-Traffic Spat Over Netflix Highlights New Tensions U.S. regulators are looking into a dispute between two large companies that shuttle traffic around the Internet, a business invisible to most consumers but increasingly fraught with tension. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704679204575646840288688392.html Net neutrality rules set for showdown in the US US regulators are set for a showdown over rules to ensure an open internet. The rules are intended to prohibit phone and cable companies blocking or discriminating against internet traffic over their broadband networks. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11892142 FCC Net Neutrality Proposal Sparks Firestorm The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission announced Wednesday he has scheduled a December 21 vote on a new regulatory initiative designed to preserve the openness that has been the Internet's hallmark since its inception, National Journal reported. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2010/12/fcc-net-neutrality-proposal-sp.php http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20101201_7260.php FCC chief backs some rationing of Internet traffic Internet service providers would be allowed to ration web traffic on their networks under a strategy unveiled by the top U.S. communications regulator that no longer focuses solely on open access. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-53282820101201 http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6B05EW20101201 us: Net neutrality order in December After weeks of speculation, the FCC finally put out its December meeting agenda revealing a proceeding on net neutrality. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2010/12/breaking-net-neutrality-order.php us: Internet Giants Spar Over Fees Netflix Inc.'s broadband partner is in dispute with Comcast Corp. over who should pay to handle an expected surge in online videos piped over the cable company's network. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703945904575645251061168526.html us: Senate Passes Bill Aimed At Deceptive Online Marketing Tactics The Senate has passed legislation aimed at cracking down on deceptive online marketing practices that have led many consumers to unknowningly sign up for products and services they do not want or use. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2010/12/senate-passes-bill-aimed-at-de.php UK Home Office mulls data law change The Home Office has agreed to meet civil liberties groups as part of a consultation it is conducting into UK interception laws. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11875043 at: New amendments to data protection law In early 2010 a substantial revision of the Data Protection Act entered into force. This was the act's first substantial revision since it became effective in 2000. http://www.internationallawoffice.com/newsletters/detail.aspx?g=c7927733-02b3-4a47-baa9-9377d3e8ef00 ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Now a Giant, Google Works to Retain Nimble Minds When a product manager at Google told his bosses this year that he was quitting to take a job at Facebook, they offered him a large raise. When he said it was not about the money, they told him he could have a promotion, work in a different area or even start his own company inside Google. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/29/technology/29google.html New NZCS president keen to engage younger ICT professionals Ray Delany has been elected as the the New Zealand Computer Society's new president, replacing Don Robertson. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/new-nzcs-president-keen-to-engage-younger-ict-professionals ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Europe Threatens Inquiry Into Phone and Cable Fees The European Union?s telecommunications commissioner on Tuesday threatened to crack down on member countries that allow powerful former telephone monopolies to charge steep fees that raise costs to consumers. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/technology/01telecom.html 4G to Cover More Than 4 Billion People by 2015 More than 60% of the world's population will have access to some form of 4G mobile broadband technology by 2015, according to a new report from ABI Research. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/112910-4g-lte-wimax.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/211910/.html Coalition's final attempt to have NBN subjected to cost-benefit analysis fails Legislation paving the way for the rollout of the National Broadband Network has passed through the parliament. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/coalitions-final-attempt-to-have-nbn-subjected-to-cost-benefit-analysis-fails/story-fn59niix-1225962772548 au: Lawmaker Sets Up Roadblock on Telstra Network As Australian lawmakers Monday gave the final sign-off to legislation aimed at clearing the way for a national high-speed Internet network, a key independent set up a potential roadblock by vowing to block access arrangements due for debate early next year. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704700204575643720930757344.html au: Wimax trial targets speed up to 100Mbps Perth-based Wimax operator Vividwireless has signed Huawei to test the next evolution of superfast mobile broadband in and around Sydney. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/wimax-trial-targets-speed-up-to-100mbps/story-e6frgakx-1225962969531 ********************************** ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION ********************************** nz: Man with 106,000 child porn images avoids jail A St Albans professional man caught with 106,000 child pornography images on his computer has been granted home detention and name suppression. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10691074 nz: Teacher jailed for child porn deregistered [NZPA] A former North Canterbury teacher convicted of 24 child pornography charges has been deregistered. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10691046 Federal cops help smash child porn network The Australian Federal Police (AFP) says it has helped crack a network of child abuse websites run from eastern Europe. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/01/3081334.htm AFP reveals role in global child porn sting MARK COLVIN: Australian police have revealed their role in tracking down an international crime group which ran more than 200 child pornography websites. http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2010/s3081966.htm Taskforce takes down child porn ring The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has joined forces with a global taskforce of enforcement agencies to break a network of commercial child pornography websites. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369813/taskforce_takes_down_child_porn_ring/ Global child porn ring busted [AAP] POLICE say they expect more arrests after busting an international network of child exploitation websites which sold sickening images of youngsters as young as three being abused. http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/global-child-porn-ring-busted/story-e6frfku0-1225963817011 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (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 Dec 01 2010 - 20:40:01 UTC
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