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.


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The domain name news is supported by auDA

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European Commission calls for greater government control over Internet
http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/08/31/ec-greater-government-control

Safe, Stable and Secure New gTLDs: ICANN Seeks Global Background Screening Services Provider 
http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-30aug11-en.htm

Analysis: EC policy papers on ICANN
http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/08/31/ec-papers-analysis

10/2 & Innovations for Internationalized Domain Names by Tina Dam
http://www.circleid.com/posts/innovations_for_internationalized_domain_names_idns/

Should new gTLDs be delayed?
http://domainincite.com/should-new-gtlds-be-delaye/

DNSSEC Takes Off in Wake of Root Zone Signing by Daniel Karrenberg
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20110830_dnssec_takes_off_in_wake_of_root_zone_signing/

AOT Group Limited v. Park Ward House Pty Ltd / Geoffrey Ballard - Case No. DAU2011-0018
http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=DAU2011-0018

PARROT v. Binh An Nguyen - Case No. DAU2011-0016
http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=DAU2011-0016

Trading IPv4 addresses will end in tears by Iljitsch van Beijnum
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/08/trading-ipv4-addresses-will-end-in-tears.ars

The case for a free market in IPv4 addresses by Timothy B. Lee
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/08/the-case-for-a-free-market-in-ipv4-addresses.ars

Domain Registrations Growing Over 8% Per Year As Cybersecurity Risks Grow: Verisign
http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=15689


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GOVERNANCE
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European Commission calls for greater government control over Internet
An extraordinary series of policy papers drawn up by the European Commission and published today by .Nxt have called for greater governmental control over the Internet?s domain name system.
http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/08/31/ec-greater-government-control

SA Internet Governance Forum opens tomorrow
The Department of Communications South Africa with the endorsement of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) will host their very first South African Internet Governance Forum (SAIGF) from 1-3 September 2011.
http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/410/40/63501.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201108310180.html

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DOMAIN NAMES
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 - ICANN
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Safe, Stable and Secure New gTLDs: ICANN Seeks Global Background Screening Services Provider 
ICANN is issuing today a Request for Proposal to identify a Global Background Screening Service Provider capable of generating a thorough and timely background check for all new gTLD Applicants.
http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-30aug11-en.htm

Phase II of Public Comments Process Enhancements
ICANN Staff requests community feedback concerning implementation plans for three specific Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT) recommendations (#15, 16, and 17) that affect the way ICANN publishes and manages Public Comments. These ATRT recommendations, which comprise Phase II of the Public Comments Improvement program, address:
http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-31aug11-en.htm

Search Has Begun for New VP
Thomas Spiller has informed ICANN that he will not be joining the organization as its Vice President of Europe.
http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-31aug11-en.htm

Analysis: EC policy papers on ICANN
For those that have followed the interplay between the organizations that maintain and evolve the Internet and the world?s governments, this series of six policy papers from the European Commission is likely to provoke the same despairing response: Here we go again.
http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/08/31/ec-papers-analysis

The ICANN Registrar Community by Daniel Fernandez
It started way back in 1993 with a Cooperative Agreement with the US Government and Network Solutions, making them registrar 'numero uno'. At that time, they enjoyed a monopoly of the market and the much envied ability to charge $70 for a 2 year registration. As all good things come to an end (for NetSol), the agreement was amended in October 1998 to introduce a more competitive spirit.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/the_icann_registrar_community/

ICANN vice president quits before he starts
ICANN?s recently announced vice president of Europe, Thomas Spiller, will not be joining the organization after all.
http://domainincite.com/icann-vice-president-quits-before-he-starts/

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 - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
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Multiyear Registrations Prove Popular For .EU
Almost one in eight (12.3%) of .EU registrations in the second quarter of 1011 were now for multiyear registrations following the registry?s implementation of this option, EURid announced in their quarterly report.
http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/08/31/multiyear-registrations-prove-popular-for-eu/

Registered .eu domain names up 4.2% to 3.35 million in Q2
EURid, the registry for the .eu TLD, completed Q2 with 3.35 million registered .eu domain names, an increase of 4.2 percent compared with the end of Q2 2010, according to the Q2 progress report issued by EURid.
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/registered-eu-domain-names-up-42-to-335-million-in-q2

Google ranks new .xxx site higher than its .com
Is Google experimenting with swapping out .com domains when an equivalent .xxx exists?
http://domainincite.com/google-ranks-new-xxx-site-higher-than-its-com/

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 - NEW TLDS
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10/2 & Innovations for Internationalized Domain Names by Tina Dam
According to the 10/10 rule, it takes about a decade to take a product from initial idea to having a standard developed, and then another decade to reach mass market adoption. How can that second decade be reduced in the case of Internationalized Domain Names and their adoption by Internet users? The most effective way to speed up IDN mainstream adoption is learning from history.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/innovations_for_internationalized_domain_names_idns/

Should new gTLDs be delayed?
It?s been well over two months since ICANN approved its new gTLD program, and the initial sense of excitement and purpose in the industry seems to have given way to virtual silence from ICANN and a profound lack of audible enthusiasm from the internet at large.
http://domainincite.com/should-new-gtlds-be-delaye/

Advertisers On Both Sides of Atlantic Complain About New gTLDs
Following criticisms from two American advertising associations of the ICANN proposal for new gTLDs, two more advertising groups, one on each side of the Atlantic, have come out voicing their criticisms.
http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=15665
http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/08/29/advertisers-on-both-sides-of-atlantic-complain-about-new-gtlds/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/advertisers-on-both-sides-of-atlantic-complain-about-new-gtlds.html

Fifth ad group opposes new gTLDs
The World Federation of Advertisers has become the fifth major coalition of advertising big-spenders to ask ICANN to rethink its new gTLD program.
http://domainincite.com/fifth-ad-group-opposes-new-gtlds/

Begging to Differ with Esther Dyson on gTLDs, Part 1 by Naseem Javed
Esther Dyson ? the Great Dame of Silicon Valley, at times matriarch to Bill Gates and many other lads on the innovative circuit ? recently wrote a harsh column on ICANN?s gTLDs. I like and respect Esther, especially her technical background, and we have shared a podium, but as this topic deals with the centrality of global corporate nomenclature, it demands an authoritative analysis. I feel it?s my responsibility to clarify, and have taken the liberty to address her entire piece item by item.
http://www.adotas.com/2011/08/begging-to-differ-with-esther-dyson-on-gtlds-part-1/

Begging to Differ With Esther Dyson on gTLDs, Part 2 by Naseem Javed
Yesterday, ABCNamebank?s Naseem Javed began an intense critique of a recent piece by famed digital commentator and investor Esther Dyson that was critical of ICANN?s plan to sell generic top-level domains (gTLDs) ? e.g., .nike, .nytimes, .walmart, etc. Today Javed, who has previously defended the gTLD plan on Adotas, continues his analysis, discussing the meaning of ?generic? and the future of domain names.
http://www.adotas.com/2011/08/begging-to-differ-with-esther-dyson-on-gtlds-part-2/

Domainer Jan Barta invests in dotFree
The Czech company hoping to apply to ICANN for the .free top-level domain next year has secured an undisclosed investment from local domainer Jan Barta.
http://domainincite.com/domainer-jan-barta-invests-in-dotfree/

The 'Nxt' Internet revolution is all about domains
The Intercontinental Hotel in San Francisco was the host last week to the Nxt Internet conference, which covered new developments in domains.
http://ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=6014

NetNames puts gTLD.com domain to good use
European registrar Group NBT has a pretty great domain for its new generic top-level domains consulting business: gTLD.com.
http://domainincite.com/netnames-puts-gtld-com-domain-to-good-use/

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 - DNS SECURITY
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DNSSEC Takes Off in Wake of Root Zone Signing by Daniel Karrenberg
DNSSEC is a suite of IETF-developed specifications designed to validate information provided by the DNS. ... When the root zone was signed in June 2010, this acted as a catalyst for TLD operators to deploy DNSSEC on their side. We have seen a gradual but significant increase in signed TLDs since then. The map in this post shows the level of DNSSEC deployment in Europe.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20110830_dnssec_takes_off_in_wake_of_root_zone_signing/

China steps up fight against computer hacking
China's supreme court and prosecutors' office will step up the fight against computer hacking by toughening penalties for those caught doing it, state media has said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/30/china-computer-hacking-penalties

In Latest Breach, Hackers Impersonate Google to Snoop on Users in Iran
Hackers passed themselves off as the Internet giant Google with the apparent goal of snooping on people using Google services in Iran, the company said.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/31/technology/internet/hackers-impersonate-google-to-snoop-on-users-in-iran.html

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 - DOMAIN DISPUTES
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AOT Group Limited v. Park Ward House Pty Ltd / Geoffrey Ballard - Case No. DAU2011-0018
1. The Parties: The Complainant is AOT Group Limited of Melbourne, Australia represented by Blake Dawson, LLP, Australia. The Respondent is Park Ward House Pty Ltd / Geoffrey Ballard of Dubbo, Australia. 2. The Domain Name and Registrar: The disputed domain name <wwwneeditnow.com.au> is registered with Aust Domains International Pty Ltd dba Aust Domains, Inc. ... 7. Decision: For all the foregoing reasons, in accordance with Paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the disputed domain name, <wwwneeditnow.com.au>, be transferred to the Complainant.
http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=DAU2011-0018

PARROT v. Binh An Nguyen - Case No. DAU2011-0016
1. The Parties: The Complainant is PARROT of Paris, France, represented by Bardehle Pagenberg Dost Altenburg Geissler, France. The Respondent is Binh An Nguyen of Woodville Gardens, Australia. 2. The Domain Name and Registrar: The disputed domain name <ardrone.com.au> is registered with Aust Domains International Pty Ltd dba Aust Domains, Inc. / Drop.com.au Pty Ltd. ... 7. Decision: For the foregoing reasons, in accordance with Paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the disputed domain name, <ardrone.com.au>, be transferred to the Complainant.
http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=DAU2011-0016

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 - IPv4/IPv6
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Trading IPv4 addresses will end in tears by Iljitsch van Beijnum
As we run out of IPv4 address space, is it time to create an exchange for trading unused address blocks? Ars contributors Iljitsch van Beijnum and Timothy Lee tackle the issue. In this article, Iljitsch explains why this is a bad idea.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/08/trading-ipv4-addresses-will-end-in-tears.ars

The case for a free market in IPv4 addresses by Timothy B. Lee
As we run out of IPv4 address space, is it time to create an exchange for trading unused address blocks? Ars contributors Iljitsch van Beijnum and Timothy Lee tackle the issue. In this article, Tim explains why this is the way to go.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/08/the-case-for-a-free-market-in-ipv4-addresses.ars

IPv6: What you need to do now
With the official exhaustion of IPv4 open-pool addresses in February, the long migration path to IPv6 has passed another important milestone. Since the IANA IPv6 worldwide deployment announcement in 1999, the issue has never been whether, but simply when IPv6 would become the core protocol for global Internet traffic.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/082911-ipv6-250196.html

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 - MISCELLANEOUS
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Domain Registrations Growing Over 8% Per Year As Cybersecurity Risks Grow: Verisign
Many sectors of the global economy may be struggling, but domain name registrations continue to grow strongly with registrations across all TLDs increasing 8.6 per cent or 16.9 million in the 12 months to end of June 2011, reports Verisign in their latest Domain Name Industry Brief. In the latest quarter, growth was 2.5 per cent or 5.2 million.
http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=15689
http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/09/01/domain-registrations-growing-over-8-per-year-as-cybersecurity-risks-grow-verisign/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/verisign-finds-domain-registrations-growing-over-8-per-year-as-cybersecurity-risks-grow.html

New Zealand's Cyber Security Strategy
http://www.minterellison.co.nz/publications/Techonology_Update_August_2011.pdf

Domain name is property in Ontario
The Court of Appeal for Ontario has ruled that a domain name is personal property and a business asset located in Ontario. Prior to this decision, there was little guidance in Canadian law on the issue of whether a domain name constitutes property.
http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=97f9d0b9-213e-4f0f-9e63-6d47788dd5b7

New Address Scheme Aims to Speed up the Net
Many techniques are used to reduce Internet traffic jams. But one of most popular ones sometimes runs into a bottleneck, which Google and other Internet companies are announcing plans to tackle.
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2011/08/30/new-address-scheme-aims-to-speed-up-the-net/

The design of the Domain Name System (Part IV) - Global consistency by John Levine
In the previous installments, we've been looking at aspects of the design of the DNS. Many databases go to great effort to present a globablly consistent view of the data they control, since the alternative is to lose credit card charges and double-book airline seats. The DNS has never tried to to that. The data is roughly consistent, but not perfectly so.
http://jl.ly/Internet/dnsdesign4.html

Google, OpenDNS deploy DNS tweak for faster browsing
Nearly 40 million Internet users will experience faster Web browsing starting today, thanks to a controversial protocol tweak being deployed by Google, OpenDNS and several content delivery networks that allows them to more precisely serve up content from the nearest available server.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/083011-dns-speed-250240.html

Google, OpenDNS team up to speed up the Internet
Google, domain name service OpenDNS and Internet content delivery services are teaming up to create a faster experience for Internet users, the companies announced Tuesday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-tech/post/google-opendns-team-up-to-speed-up-the-internet/2011/08/29/gIQAWg2WoJ_blog.html

Google, OpenDNS And CDNs 'Speedup' The Internet
The Internet is about to get faster, if Google and OpenDNS and other companies get their way.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/tomiogeron/2011/08/30/google-opendns-and-cdns-speedup-the-internet/

DomainTools opens massive email record database
DomainTools has opened up a huge database that matches domain names to the mail servers they use.
http://domainincite.com/domaintools-opens-massive-email-record-database/

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 - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET
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Hurricane Domain Name Registrations Spike
Hundreds of domain names registered as Hurricane Irene approached the east coast.
http://domainnamewire.com/2011/08/29/hurricane-domain-name-registrations-spike/

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INTERNET USE
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Mobile internet use nearing 50% of UK internet users
Almost half of UK internet users are going online via mobile phone data connections, according to the Office for National Statistics. 45% of people surveyed said they made use of the net while out and about, compared with 31% in 2010.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14731757

One in five Britons feel unsafe when online
One in five Britons do not feel safe online, government research shows, as the number of teenagers browsing the web on their mobile phone almost doubled in 2011.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/aug/31/britons-feel-unsafe-online

Teens drive jump in internet use on phones
In the first three months of 2011, around 45 percent of British internet users ? a total of 17.6 million people ? used a handset for access, up from 31 percent the previous year, the ONS said in an annual report published on Wednesday.
http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/business-of-it/2011/08/31/teens-drive-jump-in-internet-use-on-phones-40093807/

Internet Access - Households and Individuals, 2011 This product is designated as National Statistics: Key points
45 per cent of Internet users used a mobile phone to connect to the Internet
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/rdit2/internet-access---households-and-individuals/2011/stb-internet-access-2011.html

Nearly half of Internet users have accessed the Internet via a mobile phone [news release]
Nearly half (45 per cent) of Internet users accessed the Internet via a mobile phone in 2011, according to new data released today by ONS.
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/mro/news-release/internet-access/internetaccessnr2011.html

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SOCIAL NETWORKING
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Facebook pays for security loopholes
Facebook has spent $40,000 in the first 21 days of a program that rewards the discovery of security bugs. The bug bounty program aims to encourage security researchers to help harden Facebook against attack.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14715442

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NEW TECHNOLOGIES
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Graphene 'could help boost broadband internet speeds'
Graphene, the strongest material on Earth, could help boost broadband internet speed, say UK researchers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14730689

Thinnest material in the world could boost Internet speeds tenfold-plus
Two Nobel Prize winning scientists out of the U.K. have come up with a new way to use graphene, the thinnest material in the world, that could make Internet pipes feel a lot fatter.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/083011-graphene-optical-250265.html
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9219622/World_s_thinnest_material_could_boost_Internet_speeds

Graphene finding could lead to super-fast Internet
British scientists have devised a way of using graphene, the thinnest material in the world, to capture and convert more light than previously, paving the way for advances in high-speed Internet and other optical communications.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/30/oukin-uk-graphene-light-idUKTRE77T3B320110830
http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/08/30/idINIndia-59054220110830

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CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY
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nz: Users urged to report gossip sites
Anonymous gossip and insult sites on Facebook breach the terms and conditions of Facebook, and users should report them, an Internet safety spokeswoman says.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/5532691/Users-urged-to-report-gossip-sites
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/5532233/Users-urged-to-report-gossip-sites

nz: Oamaru gossip and insult page emerges
A profile dedicated to spreading insulting Oamaru gossip has emerged on the social networking site Facebook. ... Netsafe operations manager Lee Chisholm said the only way to have the page removed was to report it to Facebook management. It could be reported by clicking on the report/block link on the right-hand side of the site.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/5529103/Oamaru-gossip-and-insult-page-emerges

nz: Town gossip moves to Facebook in Oamaru
Bullies have taken to social networking site Facebook to spread malicious gossip.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Town-gossip-moves-to-Facebook-in-Oamaru/tabid/412/articleID/224024/Default.aspx

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ONLINE TV & MUSIC
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US studios avoided Telstra battle and went after iiNet instead in copyright case
Leaked documents from the US Embassy in Canberra reveal that Hollywood studios chose to go after third-largest internet provider iiNet, rather than Telstra, in a hard-fought online copyright case set to be heard for a third time by the High Court in Sydney.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/us-studios-avoided-telstra-battle-and-went-after-iinet-instead-in-copyright-case/story-e6frgakx-1226126718483

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MOBILE/WIRELESS
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Apple criticized for China supply chain pollution [Reuters]
Chinese environmental groups have accused Apple of turning a blind eye as its suppliers pollute the country, the latest criticism of the technology company's environmental record.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/31/oukin-uk-apple-china-idUKTRE77U4LW20110831
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20099962-54/apple-criticized-for-china-supply-chain-pollution/

Apple offers to talk with Chinese environmental group [IDG]
Apple has requested a Chinese environmental group to hold talks on a report that accuses the company's suppliers of polluting the environment and endangering the lives of residents.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/399388/apple_offers_talk_chinese_environmental_group/

Apple's worldwide court battles against Samsung: where they stand and what they mean
Samsung has once again delayed the release of its Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia to evade an injunction against the device in that country. Samsung may be attempting to find workarounds to avoid violating Apple's Australian patents, but for now it is delaying the launch until at least September 30, just days after scheduled hearings from an Australian federal magistrate.
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2011/08/apples-worldwide-court-battles-against-samsung-where-they-stand-and-what-they-mean.ars

au: Samsung hits back at Apple in patent battle
Samsung will launch legal action against Apple in Australia, claiming the iPad and iPhone violate its patents.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/samsung-hits-back-at-apple-in-patent-battle/story-e6frgakx-1226124879223

Groups Urge FCC To Declare California Cellphone Stoppage Illegal
Nine public interest groups asked the Federal Communications Commission on Monday to rule that San Francisco transit authorities broke federal law when they shut down cellphone service to head off protests in train stations.
http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2011/08/groups-urge-fcc-to-declare-cal.php

Groups ask FCC to rule against BART's mobile phone shutdown [IDG]
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission should take swift action to rule against the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District's recent decision to shut down mobile phone service during a planned protest, several digital rights groups said Monday.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/082911-groups-ask-fcc-to-rule-250213.html

Nokia Styles Comeback Plan: Finnish Firm Designs Windows-Based Smartphone to Help Regain Market Share
With the release of its first Windows-based smartphone coming soon, Nokia Corp. is making a big bet: that the innovative design of its new phone will help it stand out and draw attention away from software problems the company has faced as it struggles to compete in the lucrative market.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904332804576538291349152466.html#ixzz1WVgVlZtk
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904332804576538291349152466.html?mod=WSJASIA_hpp_MIDDLEThirdNews

us: Android smartphones surge to 42% share
Google's Android smartphones recently surged by 15% in popularity in the U.S., topping out the field with a nearly 42% share, according to the latest ComScore survey released Tuesday.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9219607/Android_smartphones_surge_to_42_share
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/083011-android-smartphones-surge-to-42-250257.html
http://www.pcworld.com/article/239160/android_smartphones_surge_to_42_share.html

Amazon to take on Apple's iPad, as iTunes Match shows off streaming
Amazon is expected to release a tablet computer before Christmas which analysts forecast will finally provide serious competition for Apple's iPad, which has had the overwhelming share of the tablet market since its launch in April 2010.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/aug/30/amazon-apple-ipad

FT pulls app over customer data dispute with Apple
The Financial Times has withdrawn its app for iPhones and iPads after a dispute with Apple over ownership of customer data.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14734911

Financial Times pulls iOS apps, directs users to new Web app
The Financial Times has become the first big name to pull its iOS apps as a result of Apple's new app subscription rules. The company confirmed on Wednesday that it had failed to come to a compromise with Apple over its requirement that subscription payments run through the App Store, and has therefore removed its iPhone and iPad apps from public availability.
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2011/08/financial-times-pulls-ios-apps-directs-users-to-new-web-app.ars

Mobile phones without towers coming soon; could be a boon in remote Australia [AAP]
A mobile phone communications system that doesn't need towers is being developed at Adelaide's Flinders University. The Serval Project was inspired by the 2010 Haiti earthquake in which the phone network crashed as infrastructure went down.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/399324/mobile_phones_without_towers_coming_soon/
http://www.techworld.com.au/article/399324/mobile_phones_without_towers_coming_soon/
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/mobile-phones-without-towers-coming-soon-20110901-1jmqr.html
http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/mobile-phones-without-towers-coming-soon-20110901-1jmqr.html

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SPAM
**********************
ca: New anti-spam law ?good news? for public
Businesses that rely on email for communicating with their customers will have to make major adjustments when the new anti-spam law comes into effect, probably this year.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/anti+spam+good+news+public/5330741/story.html

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ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL
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Modern Crime Lesson #1: If You?re Boyfriend?s In The Mob, Be Careful On Facebook [La Stampa]
Social media sites are a double-edged sword in the battle between criminals and law enforcement. In this case, the cops were able to exploit the growing habit of wanting to share all your latest personal news with your friends and family.
http://www.worldcrunch.com/modern-crime-lesson-1-if-you-re-boyfriend-s-mob-be-careful-facebook/3658

Google boss 'knew about' unlicensed pharmacy adverts
Google's chief executive Larry Page knew that adverts for unlicensed Canadian pharmacies were running on its US site, according to a government prosecutor.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14708119

Google Sued by Investor Over Ads for ?Illegal? Online Canada Drug Imports
Google Inc. and its directors were sued by shareholder who claims they breached their fiduciary duty by facilitating illegal imports of prescription drugs, leading to a $500 million settlement with the U.S. government.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-29/google-sued-by-investor-over-ads-for-illegal-online-canada-drug-imports.html

Australians sending away $10m a month to online scammers [AAP]
Finding romance online could cost you more than a broken heart. Well-schooled scammers are ripping off Australian lonely hearts at the rate of more than $190,000 a day, according to Detective Superintendent Brian Hay of the Queensland Police fraud and corporate crime group.
http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/australians-sending-away-10m-a-month-to-online-scammers-20110830-1jjc8.html
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/australians-sending-away-10m-a-month-to-online-scammers-20110830-1jjc8.html

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SECURITY
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China steps up fight against computer hacking
China's supreme court and prosecutors' office will step up the fight against computer hacking by toughening penalties for those caught doing it, state media has said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/30/china-computer-hacking-penalties

In Latest Breach, Hackers Impersonate Google to Snoop on Users in Iran
Hackers passed themselves off as the Internet giant Google with the apparent goal of snooping on people using Google services in Iran, the company said.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/31/technology/internet/hackers-impersonate-google-to-snoop-on-users-in-iran.html

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CENSORSHIP
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Pakistan to ban encryption software: ISPs required to inform authorities when VPNs used
Millions of internet users in Pakistan will be unable to send emails and messages without fear of government snooping after authorities banned the use of encryption software.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/30/pakistan-bans-encryption-software

China state media urge crackdown on microblog "rumours"
China's state-run news agency demanded on Tuesday that Internet companies, regulators and police do more to cleanse websites of "toxic rumours", adding to signs that the ruling Communist Party wants to tame the explosion of freewheeling microblogs.
http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/08/30/idINIndia-59044820110830
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/30/oukin-uk-china-media-idUKTRE77T0XI20110830

Beijing curbs online dissent by menacing social network's owner
In a country where Twitter and Facebook are banned, the microblogging website of choice for 200 million Chinese is Weibo, but tightening restrictions on dissent mean that this platform too is on the wrong side of the vast system of control known as "The Great Firewall of China".
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/beijing-curbs-online-dissent-by-menacing-social-networks-owner-2345538.html

China calls for crackdown on 'toxic' internet rumours
China's official news agency has called for a crackdown on the spread of "toxic rumours" on the internet, in the latest sign of the government's desire to rein in the country's rumbustious and fast-growing microblogs.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/30/china-crackdown-internet-critics

China cracks down on Internet rumors
Under growing government pressure, China?s leading micro-blogging service, Sina Weibo, launched a new effort to quash Internet rumors Friday by sending warnings to its users to ignore false reports.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/08/china-cracksdown-on-internet-rumors.html

Should Google censor a dogfighting game?
If you believe violent video games should be censored because they dehumanize people, you've got your work cut out for you. For starters, the Supreme Court is decidedly not on your side; see, for example, the decisions in Brown v Entertainment Merchants Assn., which struck down a California law banning the sale of excessively violent games to minors, or in United States v Stevens, which struck down a federal law against the sale of videos depicting cruelty to animals.
http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2011/08/technology-should-google-censor-a-dogfighting-game.html

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GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
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European Commission calls for greater government control over Internet
An extraordinary series of policy papers drawn up by the European Commission and published today by .Nxt have called for greater governmental control over the Internet?s domain name system.
http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/08/31/ec-greater-government-control

Behind Google?s $500 Million Settlement With U.S.
The Justice Department?s settlement of a criminal investigation of Google for allowing Canadian pharmacies to advertise drugs for distribution in the United States reflected an effort by prosecutors to extend the reach of federal drug laws. This may present future challenges to Internet search companies over their advertisements.
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/behind-googles-500-million-settlement-with-u-s/

au: Cyber law casts the proper net by Robert McClelland
Last week, the House of Representatives passed important changes that will improve the way Australian law enforcement agencies are able to detect and investigate cyber criminals. Of great concern to me, however, has been the alarmist and entirely false assertions made about the new laws. These must be corrected.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/cyber-law-casts-the-proper-net-20110829-1jib6.html
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/www/ministers/mcclelland.nsf/Page/Announcements_2011_30August2011-Cyberlawcaststhepropernet

New Zealand's Cyber Security Strategy
http://www.minterellison.co.nz/publications/Techonology_Update_August_2011.pdf

nz: Labour promises online copyright reform
The Labour party has put up a likely election-pleaser on the copyright front with promises to repeal the Copyright (Infringing File-Sharing) Act?s ?internet termination? clause and to embark on a broader-ranging review of the Copyright Act if it is elected to government.
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/labour-promises-online-copyright-reform

nz: Concerns over new copyright laws
Imagine that the new season of your favourite television show has just started screening in the United States but you know it will be at least a year - maybe more ? until it screens in New Zealand. If at all.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/5528064/Concerns-over-new-copyright-laws

nz: Labour pledges to scrap new copyright law
If elected Labour will ditch the 'termination clauses' in a new digital copyright legislation that would see web access shut down for people caught illegally sharing files.
http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/labour-pledges-scrap-new-copyright-law-4377958

nz: Internet piracy law to come into force
A controversial new law aimed at wiping out illegal downloading will come into effect from tomorrow.
http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/nternet-piracy-law-come-into-force-4377958

nz: Labour promises to terminate Skynet law
Labour says if it forms the next Government, the Copyright (Infringing File-Sharing) Act's termination clause will itself be terminated.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Labour-promises-to-terminate-Skynet-law/tabid/412/articleID/224112/Default.aspx

'Skynet' law will stop most illegal downloading - NZFACT
A new survey suggests most people illegally sharing copyrighted material on the internet will stop once they receive a warning from a copyright holder.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Skynet-law-will-stop-most-illegal-downloading---NZFACT/tabid/412/articleID/224261/Default.aspx

nz: Internet NZ - new copyright law won't work
>From today, internet users beware. The new Copyright Amendment Act comes into force, and it will only take three strikes of illegal downloading before fines of up to US$15,000 are given.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Internet-NZ---new-copyright-law-wont-work/tabid/412/articleID/224218/Default.aspx

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MISCELLANEOUS
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For Google CEO Larry Page, a Difficult Premiere Role
When Google Inc. co-founder Larry Page announced that he would take over as chief executive earlier this year, he promised that he would shake up the Internet search giant to speed up decision making. Instead, much of the shaking up has happened to the new CEO.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903352704576536521984562128.html
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903352704576536521984562128.html?mod=WSJ_business_whatsNews

Tablet computers - Difference Engine: Reality dawns
Last week?s bombshell announcement by Hewlett-Packard that it was hiving off its personal-computer business?and, in particular, would cease making tablet computers and mobile phones forthwith?was greeted with shock and horror, plus a 20% plunge in share price. Canny investors promptly snapped up the depressed stock, realising it was the smartest move HP has made in years. More than anything else, the announcement showed that the firm had finally seen the light about the tablet market?namely, that there is no such thing.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/08/tablet-computers

Amazon Could Sell Five Million Tablets in Three Months
The tablet that Amazon has yet to mention but which everyone expects to arrive this fall could be a big seller, with Jeff Bezos and Co. moving three to five million units in Q4. That?s according to the Forrester research shop, which attaches the following qualifiers to its prediction:
http://allthingsd.com/20110829/amazon-could-sell-5-million-tablets-in-3-months/

InternetNZ opens funding round for community projects
New Zealand internet advocacy group InternetNZ has launched a one-off funding round for internet-related projects that benefit the wider community.
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/internetnz-opens-funding-round-for-community-projects

Copyright law supports failing business model - TUANZ head
The head of the Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand has slammed the new "three strikes" law as an act which "serves only to support a business model that no longer works in the internet age".
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10748781

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TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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Plan to separate Telstra to pave way for NBN facing objections by the ACCC
The competition regulator has raised "serious" concerns about the critical agreement between Telstra and the company building the National Broadband Network, in a shock blow to the $36 billion project.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/accc-concerned-at-telstras-agreement-not-to-promote-wireless-as-a-substitute-for-the-nbn/story-e6frgakx-1226125493744

ACCC says its competition concerns need not hold up the rollout of the NBN [AAP]
Concerns over the blueprint for splitting Telstra should not delay the rollout of the National Broadband Network, the competition watchdog says.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/in-depth/accc-ruling-on-telstra-deal-may-delay-nbn-rollout/story-e6frgaif-1226126228356

Telstra split plan unacceptable: ACCC [AAP]
The competition watchdog says it cannot accept a crucial aspect of Telstra's move to structurally split its retail and wholesale arms.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/breaking-news/telstra-split-plan-unacceptable-accc/story-e6frg90f-1226125638620

ACCC casts doubt on Telstra split
The competition watchdog has raised "serious concerns" over Telstra's commitment to separate its wholesale and retail businesses, a critical part of its $11 billion deal with the NBN Co.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/accc-casts-doubt-on-telstra-split-20110830-1jjep.html
http://www.theage.com.au/business/accc-casts-doubt-on-telstra-split-20110830-1jjep.html

ACCC calls for comment on Telstra?s structural separation undertaking and draft migration plan [news release]
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will today issue a discussion paper inviting comment from industry stakeholders and consumers in relation to Telstra?s structural separation undertaking and draft migration plan. The ACCC?s preliminary view is that Telstra?s undertaking can not be accepted in its current form and that important changes are required.
http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1005037/fromItemId/142

nz: Govt approves Telecom's asset split plan
The government has approved Telecom's plan to split its assets after structural separation - the first major step in Telecom's proposed demerger process.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10748334

Telstra/TCNZ
New Zealand?s telecom investors are getting a better deal than their Australian counterparts as both countries build an ultra-fast broadband networks
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/3/da7da98e-d3c8-11e0-bc6b-00144feab49a.html

China's telecom patent boom heralds innovation era
China?s telecom giants are building up a war-chest of patents to help give them an edge in the legal battles raging between the world?s smartphone makers, aided by Beijing?s push to transform the country from workshop to innovator.
http://www.canada.com/technology/China+telecom+patent+boom+heralds+innovation/5306148/story.html

us: State Attorneys General Call for Reallocation Of Spectrum For Public Safety Network
Most of the nation's state attorneys general are calling on Congress to reallocate spectrum to public safety officials for the creation of a national broadband network aimed at improving emergency communications.
http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2011/08/state-attorneys-general-call-f.php

US Justice Department Sues to Stop AT&T Deal; Says $39 Billion Purchase of T-Mobile Threatens Competition
The Justice Department on Wednesday sued to block AT&T Inc.'s proposed $39 billion takeover of T-Mobile USA, a surprisingly swift move that dealt a blow to AT&T's ambition to build the largest U.S. cellphone carrier.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904716604576542373831069388.html#ixzz1Wf8fJP3u
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904716604576542373831069388.html
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/world/us-opposes-atts-us39bn-takeover-of-t-mobile-usa/story-e6frg90o-1226126981161

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(c) David Goldstein 2011

------
David Goldstein

 email: david&#167;goldsteinreport.com

 web:   http://goldsteinreport.com/
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"Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim Flannery