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 *************************************************** Accountable and transparent ? but only when it suits us http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/11/22/accountability-only-when-it-suits auDA releases new Transfers policy http://www.coopermills.com.au/wordpress/index.php/2011/11/auda-releases-new-transfers-policy/ auDA streamlines domain name transfers; transfer of new domains now faster [reg req'd] http://ca.linexlegal.com/register U.S. executes another round of Web site takedowns http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-57331562-281/u.s-executes-another-round-of-web-site-takedowns In Important Case, RIPE-NCC seeks legal clarity on how it responds to foreign court orders by M. Mueller, M. van Eeten, & B. Kuerbis http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2011/11/23/4944811.html ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Joint call to respect human rights on Internet from Council of Europe Secretary General Jagland and Austrian Vice Chancellor Spindelegger Austrian Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger and Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbj?rn Jagland made a joint call for the respect of human rights standards also on the Internet in the run-up to a conference in Vienna co-hosted by the Council of Europe and the Austrian Foreign Ministry on ?Our Internet ? Our rights, Our Freedoms?. http://www.isria.com/pages/24_November_2011_215.php Opening Statement Vice-Chancellor Dr. Michael Spindelegger Council of Europe Conference on ?Our Internet ? Our Rights, Our Freedoms. Towards the Council of Europe Strategy on Internet Governance 2012-15? First of all I want to warmly welcome you all, whether you are physically present here in the Diplomatic Academy, or are following our discussions on webcast. You come from civil society, industry, academia as well as governments. And, indeed, it is only meaningful to debate, develop and implement Internet governance in the framework of a genuine multi-stakeholder approach. http://www.isria.com/pages/24_November_2011_139.php ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Accountable and transparent ? but only when it suits us The real measure of accountability is not when an organization provides you with information it has no concerns over, but rather when it doesn?t wish to provide the information but feels obligated to do so. http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/11/22/accountability-only-when-it-suits ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** auDA releases new Transfers policy auDA has released the new Transfers (Change of Registrant) Policy (2011-03) to replace the previous transfers policy, following recommendations of the Secondary Market Working Group review. http://www.coopermills.com.au/wordpress/index.php/2011/11/auda-releases-new-transfers-policy/ auDA streamlines domain name transfers; transfer of new domains now faster [reg req'd] http://ca.linexlegal.com/register eu: Business websites predominate online Business is the most common use for websites across most TLDs, according to a report published by EURid, the .eu registry. http://www.eurid.eu/en/content/business-websites-predominate-online eu: Business Most Popular User of Websites Finds Eurid Survey A quarter of websites (26.5%) globally are used for business according to a EURid survey of eight TLDs and three European ccTLDs, with close to one third (31.4%) of websites using .EU domains used for business. http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/11/24/business-most-popular-user-of-websites-finds-eurid-survey/ fr: AFNIC's new Naming Policy for French TLDs now online As part of opening up to Europe next 6 December, AFNIC is publishing its new Naming Policy. From 6 December 2011 onwards, the extensions .wf (Wallis and Futuna), .tf (French Southern and Antarctic territories), .re(R?union), .pm (St. Pierre and Miquelon), and .yt (Mayotte) operated by AFNIC will open up to Europe and be subject to the same registration rules as the .fr TLD (France). http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/5364/show/afnic-s-new-naming-policy-for-french-tlds-now-online-1.html my: Registration for IDN Jawi, Chinese and Tamil Is Now Open To Public! Effective 1 December 2011, registration for IDN Jawi, Chinese and Tamil will be opened to Public. No registration fees will be charged for the first year. http://domainregistry.my/en/news.php?id=128 Domain .?? success is one of the major events in 2011 On 22 November 2011, the Federal Agency for Printed and Mass Media (Rospechat) in tandem with the Russian Association for Electronic Communications (RAEC) co-organized a press conference ?Runet: year in review and prospects of expansion? at the RIA Novosti press center . Andrey Kolesnikov, the CC?s CEO, took part in the press conference. http://cctld.ru/en/news/news_detail.php?ID=2073 uk: Issue group - domain names used in connection with criminal activity Nominet continues to work through its policy process on the issue of dealing with domain names used in connection with criminal activity. http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=8887 ISPA, LINX and ORG insist on Court Orders for Nominet's domain suspensions Today, ISPA, ORG and LINX have informed Nominet that we are unable to agree with the draft Issue Group statement on domain name suspensions. We have been closely involved in these discussions. http://www.openrightsgroup.org/blog/2011/ispa,-linx-and-org-insist-on-court-orders-for-domain-suspensions Web firms protest over police plans to cut off websites Internet firms and campaigners are protesting against government-backed proposals that would allow police to cut off websites without any court oversight, claiming they threaten free speech online. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8913367/Web-firms-protest-over-police-plans-to-cut-off-websites.html Groups rally against Nominet take-down push The Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) has joined the Open Rights Group and London Internet Exchange (Linx) in resisting a proposal by Nominet to take down websites involved in illegal activities without the need for a court order. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/regulation/2011/11/24/groups-rally-against-nominet-take-down-push-40094507/ UK Internet Groups Express Concerns Regarding Nominet Takedown Powers The Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA), the Open Rights Group and London Internet Exchange (Linx) have expressed concerns and are resisting a proposal by Nominet to take down websites involved in illegal activities without the need for a court order. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16417 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/11/24/uk-internet-groups-express-concerns-regarding-nominet-takedown-powers/ Nominet to create .judiciary.uk The Nominet Board has approved a request from the Judicial Office and the Cabinet Office to allow the judiciary its own closed second level domain (SLD), judiciary.uk. http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=8880 ICM Registry Launches Buy.XXX, New Purchase Portal for .XXX Domain Names ICM Registry, the registry of the new .XXX TLD, today announces the launch of Buy.xxx, a simple purchase portal featuring links to all accredited registrars to make finding and buying desired .xxx domain names as simple as possible. http://www.icmregistry.com/press/icm-registry-launches-buy-xxx-new-purchase-portal-for-xxx-domain-names/ ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** S'pore entrepreneurs set to profit from new web address system: survey Singapore entrepreneurs are poised to profit from the new TLD program, revealed a survey released on Thursday by ARI Registry Services. http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/latest/story/0,4574,466705,00.html ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** UK cybersecurity plan a 'promising step' but with risks The UK government has today released its 2011 Cyber Security Strategy. With an increased focus on cybercrime, and renewed focus on cyberspace as an engine of economic and social prosperity, the strategy continues to hone Whitehall's understanding of this vibrant, complex and increasingly global domain. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15893773 uk: Police to set up cyber crime unit A new police Cyber Crime Unit is to be set up to protect Britain against the growing threat of attacks on the internet and in electronic communications. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-to-set-up-cyber-crime-unit-6267831.html GCHQ to offer British firms expertise in cybercrime Some of the secret technologies created at the government's giant eavesdropping centre GCHQ are to be offered to private industry as part of new cyber security strategy being unveiled by ministers on Friday. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/nov/25/gchq-british-firms-expertise-cybercrime GCHQ to take hub role in UK cybersecurity GCHQ will play a larger role in protecting businesses from cyberattacks, under a new cybersecurity strategy announced by Cabinet Office minister Francis Maide. Photo credit: BIS http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security/2011/11/25/gchq-to-take-hub-role-in-uk-cybersecurity-40094512/ Criminals and cyber bullies to be banned from the web Criminals who commit offences online and cyber bullies will be banned from the internet as part of the Government?s new cyber security strategy, announced today. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8915245/Criminals-and-cyber-bullies-to-be-banned-from-the-web.html uk: Cybercriminals face internet ban Cyber-stalkers, fraudsters and other criminals could be banned from accessing the internet, under proposals being considered by the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/mapping-babel-10017967/cybercriminals-face-internet-ban-10024878/ Largest DDoS attack so far this year peaked at 45Gbps, says company [IDG] A week-long DDoS attack that launched a flood of traffic at an Asian e-commerce company in early November was the biggest such incident so far this year, according to Prolexic, a company that defends websites against such attacks. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9222156/Largest_DDoS_attack_so_far_this_year_peaked_at_45Gbps_says_company http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/112411-largest-ddos-attack-so-far-253462.html us: Cyberattacks a top national security concern, GOP candidates say Three Republican presidential candidates at Tuesday's CNN-sponsored GOP debate said that cyberattacks pose an emerging national security threat to the United States. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9222135/Cyberattacks_a_top_national_security_concern_GOP_candidates_say http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/112311-cyberattacks-a-top-national-security-253446.html DNSSEC and .si On 30 November 2011 at 17:00, .si TLD will be DNSSEC signed. The signature will be forwarded to the root servers approximately a month later, in December. http://www.registry.si/news/news-item/article/dnssec-and-si.html ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** U.S. executes another round of Web site takedowns As Cyber Monday draws near and debate continues about the Stop Online Piracy Act, the U.S. government has again seized a bevy of domain names it says belong to Web sites that deal in counterfeit goods. http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-57331562-281/u.s-executes-another-round-of-web-site-takedowns us: Feds Seize 130+ Domain Names in Mass Crackdown US authorities have initiated the largest round of domain name seizures yet as part of their continued crackdown on counterfeit and piracy-related websites. With just a few days to go until ?Cyber Monday? more than 100 domain names have been taken over by the feds to protect the commercial interests of US companies. The seizures are disputable, as the SOPA bill which aims to specifically legitimize such actions is still pending in Congress. http://torrentfreak.com/feds-seize-130-domain-names-in-mass-crackdown-111125/ US seizes domain names in counterfeit crackdown [AFP] US authorities have shut down a number of websites in the latest crackdown on online trafficking in counterfeit goods. http://au.news.yahoo.com/tech-news/a/-/technology/12051650/us-seizes-domain-names-in-counterfeit-crackdown/ http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/12051650/us-seizes-domain-names-in-counterfeit-crackdown/ http://www.france24.com/en/20111125-us-seizes-domain-names-counterfeit-crackdown Another Thanksgiving and Another 131 Domain Names Seized by Homeland Security by Michael Berkens Last year I wrote a post right after Thanksgiving entitled: "While You Were Eating You're Turkey Homeland Security Was Seizing 9 Domains". Well I could have repeated the headline today except the number would be 131 domains rather than just 9. Looks like Homeland Security is going to make domain seizures on Thanksgiving as common in the US as Turkey and Stuffing. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20111125_another_thanksgiving_another_131_domain_names_seized/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** APNIC Changes to IPv4 transfer policy APNIC account holders wishing to become the recipient of IPv4 transfers must now justify their need for the resources as a result of a policy change taking effect from today, Monday, 21 November 2011. http://www.apnic.net/publications/news/2011/prop-096-implemented ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** In Important Case, RIPE-NCC seeks legal clarity on how it responds to foreign court orders by M. Mueller, M. van Eeten, & B. Kuerbis An international law enforcement action against a large botnet that used the DNSChanger malware is making pathbreaking Internet governance law. A lawsuit initiated by Regional Internet Registry RIPE-NCC may set an important legal precedent. At issue is the extent to which an IP address registries can be used as tools of transnational law enforcement. It has significant implications for RPKI and secure BGP deployment as well. http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2011/11/23/4944811.html ARIN WHOWAS Service Trial ARIN is pleased to announce the availability of a trial WHOWAS service that will provide historical registration information for a given IP address or ASN. During the trial, requests should be submitted via email to hostmaster at arin.net and must include details about the registration in question and the reason for the request. https://www.arin.net/announcements/2011/20111122.html ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Three Domain Sales Totaling $1.25 Million Top This Week's Chart With ccTLDs Ringing Up Four of the Five Biggest Sales This was another very solid week for domain sales, including two of the year's top ten transactions as well as two of 2011's five biggest ccTLD sales. Leading the way was VU.com, a domain that changed hands in a private sale for $700,000, tying it for the 4th biggest sale reported so far this year. Mortgage Research Center, LLC acquired the domain from Canada's Virtual Universe Corporation in a deal first reported by Elliot Silver. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2011/20111123.htm ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Why Facebook Is (Mostly) Right About Sharing [GigaOm] Collecting data for advertisers on the network's users is sparking controversy. But the real issue isn't privacy; it's a lack of good filters http://www.businessweek.com/technology/why-facebook-is-mostly-right-about-sharing-11212011.html Drugmaker Merck challenges Facebook after 'losing' page The German drugmaker Merck KGaA has begun legal action against Facebook after discovering what its lawyer described as the "the apparent takeover of its Facebook page". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15888843 au: A quarter of bosses head to Facebook to vet CVs More than a quarter of Australian bosses are now using social networking sites to screen job candidates, with almost half of these employers admitting to turning away prospects based on something they've seen on Facebook or Twitter. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/a-quarter-of-bosses-head-to-facebook-to-vet-cvs/story-e6frgakx-1226207631078 Brands missing the target with Twitter People who use Twitter can be divided into 13 distinct types - including lover, jester, creator and sage - according to research that has analysed more than 500,000 Australian tweets. http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/brands-twits-if-tweets-miss-mark-20111124-1nwwg.html http://www.smh.com.au/business/brands-missing-the-target-with-twitter-20111124-1nwu2.html ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** Push to recognise 'pathological internet misuse' as a mental health disorder Distressed families are flooding psychiatrists with pleas for help for children hooked on the internet. The condition known as "pathological internet misuse" is growing so rapidly among adolescents and young adults that it could soon be formally recognised as a mental health disorder. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/distressed-families-flood-psychiatrists-over-children-dangerously-addicted-to-computer-games-and-the-internet/story-e6freuy9-1226207549370 http://www.news.com.au/technology/teens-hooked-on-computer-games/story-e6frfro0-1226207597115 ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* uk: The kids are not all right with mobile phones - poll Nearly three-quarters of Britons think it is inappropriate for children under 12 to own a mobile phone, despite the fact that most kids already have them, according to a poll on Thursday. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/11/24/uk-phone-children-mobile-idUKTRE7AN0XO20111124 http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/11/24/idINIndia-60713720111124 nz: Kids have sophisticated online lives More than half of New Zealand children are "social media adults" before they reach their teens, an internet security firm says. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/6038862/Kids-have-sophisticated-online-lives http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/technology/6038862/Kids-have-sophisticated-online-lives http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/6038862/Kids-have-sophisticated-online-lives nz: More than half Kiwi kids already 'social media adults' [ANI] Around 64 percent of kids in New Zealand possess online habits similar to mature adults by the time they turn 11, a new survey has revealed. http://www.newkerala.com/news/2011/worldnews-114706.html uk: Susie Hargreaves Blog: A Day Job Looking at Child Sexual Abuse? Why Would You Do It? In an ordinary room in an ordinary office in Cambridgeshire, five people do an extraordinary job. Marie, Janet, Sarah, Sally and Charlotte are Internet Content Analysts. They assess public reports of child sexual abuse webpages and work with industry to ensure these sites are removed. Reports are also shared with police which has helped trace and rescue victims. http://www.iwf.org.uk/about-iwf/news/post/315-susie-hargreaves-blog-a-day-job-looking-at-child-sexual-abuse-why-would-you-do-it Comedian Ruby Wax launches Facebook-style site to help others who have battled mental illness She has spoken candidly about her own bouts of depression ? and now comedian Ruby Wax is hoping to help others, with a ground-breaking social-networking website for adults with mental illnesses. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2066543/Comedian-Ruby-Wax-launches-Facebook-style-website-adults-mental-illness.html ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** European Court Rejects Call for ISP's to Curb Illegal File Sharing The highest court in the European Union said on Thursday that Internet service providers could not be required to monitor their customers? online activity to filter out the illegal sharing of music and other copyrighted material. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/25/technology/eu-court-rejects-call-for-isps-to-curb-illegal-file-sharing.html European Court of Justice rejects web piracy filter The European Court of Justice has ruled that content owners cannot ask ISPs to filter out illegal content. The ruling could have implications for the creative industries as they attempt to crack down on piracy. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15871961 European court makes it illegal for ISPs to block blanket file-sharing The European Court of Justice has this morning ruled that it is illegal for countries to force internet providers to block illegal filesharing on a blanket basis at their own expense. http://businessetc.thejournal.ie/european-court-makes-it-illegal-for-isps-to-block-blanket-file-sharing-287686-Nov2011/ ISPs can't be forced to monitor traffic for copyright infringement, ECJ rules [IDG] In what some consider to be a landmark decision, the European Court of Justice ruled Thursday that forcing Internet service providers (ISPs) to monitor consumer traffic in order to block copyright infringement is incompatible with European Union laws. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/408471/isps_can_t_forced_monitor_traffic_copyright_infringement_ecj_rules/ http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/112411-isps-cant-be-forced-to-253464.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/244819/isps_cant_be_forced_to_monitor_traffic_for_copyright_infringement_ecj_rules.html au: ISPs agree to online copyright enforcement plan Australia's internet providers have agreed to a plan to send warning notices to online pirates but Foxtel says the measure doesn't go far enough. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/government/isps-agree-to-copyright-online-enforcement-plan/story-fn4htb9o-1226206441917 au: ISPs propose copyright-notice scheme The Communications Alliance and five large Australian internet service providers (ISPs) have today taken the wraps off a proposed process to stop people from downloading pirated content using their services. http://www.zdnet.com.au/isps-propose-copyright-notice-scheme-339326850.htm nz: NZ internet a `deterrent' to online TV Netflix, a popular United States service that lets customers stream movies and television shows over the internet to their TV or computer for a flat US$8.99 monthly fee, has slated the internet in New Zealand and says it has no plans to offer its service here. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/6045189/NZ-internet-a-deterrent-to-online-TV ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** uk: Mobile phone firms offer better service, Ofcom finds Consumers are more satisfied with their mobile phone provider than they are with landline or broadband suppliers, research has indicated. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15890428 ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** FBI Holiday Shopping Tips [news release] In advance of the holiday season, the FBI reminds shoppers to beware of cyber criminals and their aggressive and creative ways to steal money and personal information. Scammers use many techniques to fool potential victims including fraudulent auction sales, reshipping merchandise purchased with a stolen credit card, sale of fraudulent or stolen gift cards through auction sites at discounted prices, and phishing e-mails advertising brand name merchandise for bargain prices or e-mails promoting the sale of merchandise that ends up being a counterfeit product. http://www.ic3.gov/media/2011/111121.aspx nz: Scam targets Kiwibank, ASB customers Kiwibank says scam phishing emails pretending to be from banks appear to have increased in recent weeks. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/6031082/Scam-targets-Kiwibank-ASB-customers http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/6031082/Scam-targets-Kiwibank-ASB-customers http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/technology/6031082/Scam-targets-Kiwibank-ASB-customers nz: Beasts of the web Spammers, social scammers and cyber bullies have torn through firewalls and tip-toed past security bots at the Wairarapa Times-Age this week. http://www.times-age.co.nz/news/best-of-the-web/1186295/ Singapore Press Holdings Sues Yahoo Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. is suing Yahoo Inc.?s Southeast Asian unit for alleged copyright violations, saying that the Internet firm reproduced news content from its newspapers without permission, the companies said Wednesday. http://allthingsd.com/20111124/singapore-press-holdings-sues-yahoo/ ********************** SECURITY ********************** UK cybersecurity plan a 'promising step' but with risks The UK government has today released its 2011 Cyber Security Strategy. With an increased focus on cybercrime, and renewed focus on cyberspace as an engine of economic and social prosperity, the strategy continues to hone Whitehall's understanding of this vibrant, complex and increasingly global domain. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15893773 uk: Police to set up cyber crime unit A new police Cyber Crime Unit is to be set up to protect Britain against the growing threat of attacks on the internet and in electronic communications. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-to-set-up-cyber-crime-unit-6267831.html GCHQ to offer British firms expertise in cybercrime Some of the secret technologies created at the government's giant eavesdropping centre GCHQ are to be offered to private industry as part of new cyber security strategy being unveiled by ministers on Friday. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/nov/25/gchq-british-firms-expertise-cybercrime GCHQ to take hub role in UK cybersecurity GCHQ will play a larger role in protecting businesses from cyberattacks, under a new cybersecurity strategy announced by Cabinet Office minister Francis Maide. Photo credit: BIS http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security/2011/11/25/gchq-to-take-hub-role-in-uk-cybersecurity-40094512/ Criminals and cyber bullies to be banned from the web Criminals who commit offences online and cyber bullies will be banned from the internet as part of the Government?s new cyber security strategy, announced today. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8915245/Criminals-and-cyber-bullies-to-be-banned-from-the-web.html uk: Cybercriminals face internet ban Cyber-stalkers, fraudsters and other criminals could be banned from accessing the internet, under proposals being considered by the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/mapping-babel-10017967/cybercriminals-face-internet-ban-10024878/ Largest DDoS attack so far this year peaked at 45Gbps, says company [IDG] A week-long DDoS attack that launched a flood of traffic at an Asian e-commerce company in early November was the biggest such incident so far this year, according to Prolexic, a company that defends websites against such attacks. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9222156/Largest_DDoS_attack_so_far_this_year_peaked_at_45Gbps_says_company http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/112411-largest-ddos-attack-so-far-253462.html us: Cyberattacks a top national security concern, GOP candidates say Three Republican presidential candidates at Tuesday's CNN-sponsored GOP debate said that cyberattacks pose an emerging national security threat to the United States. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9222135/Cyberattacks_a_top_national_security_concern_GOP_candidates_say http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/112311-cyberattacks-a-top-national-security-253446.html ********************** PRIVACY ********************** Max Mosley sues Google in France and Germany over 'orgy' search results Max Mosley is suing Google in France and Germany in an attempt to force the internet company to monitor and censor search results about his alleged sado-masochistic orgy. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/nov/25/max-mosley-google-france-germany ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Syrian Surveillance Project Raises Concerns About Effectiveness of Export Controls Over the past few weeks, numerous stories have emerged documenting just how pervasively the Syrian regime patronizes American companies. First it was Blue Coat, the company that first denied the use of their tools in Syria, which then later backtracked, admitting that thirteen of their appliances were ?phoning home? to Blue Coat headquarters. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/11/sanctions-fail-stop-syrian-regime-still-harm-citizens Free Speech is Only as Strong as the Weakest Link >From Mubarak knocking a country offline by pressuring local ISPs to PayPal caving to political pressure to cut off funding to WikiLeaks, this year has brought us sobering examples of how online speech can be endangered. And it?s not only political speech that is threatened ? in the United States, legislation is working its way through Congress that would give the government and private actors broad new online censorship tools in the name of improving intellectual property rights enforcement. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/11/free-speech-only-strong-weakest-link ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** After the Hearing: SOPA Down But Not Yet Out Last week proved to be an important one in the ongoing saga of the horrendous Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), the House of Representatives? Internet blacklist bill: the House Judiciary Committee held the first hearing on the bill Wednesday. Over the past several weeks, we?ve been highlighting why this bill is such a disaster; how it could take your favorite sites offline, how it could endanger software innovation, how it could threaten whistleblowers and human rights, and how, no matter what the US Chamber of Commerce wants to call it, it?s definitely a blacklist bill. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/11/sopa-down-not-yet-out SOPA bill could wreck the internet by Srikumar Venugopal, Doctor; Lecturer in Computer Science and Engineering at University of New South Wales A pair of bills currently making their way through US legislature has set off alarm bells among internet technologists and users worldwide. The aim of PROTECT-IP, in the Senate, and SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act), in the US House of Representatives, is to prevent the infringment of copyrights on US intellectual property such as movies, music and books by websites located outside US jurisdiction. http://theconversation.edu.au/sopa-bill-could-wreck-the-internet-4434 Policing internet piracy: Tougher laws against online pirates are needed, but a proposal in Congress could hit law-abiding businesses No matter what the ?content-should-be-free? crowd says, copyright theft robs artists and businesses of their livelihoods. Creative industries employ millions of people in the advanced world (and could be a rung on the ladder for poorer countries too, if, say, unscrupulous European content thieves did not habitually purloin the efforts of African musicians). http://www.economist.com/node/21540281 Online piracy: An American anti-piracy bill tries to stem the global theft of intellectual property Illegal copying and sharing of copyrighted material is hard enough to stop within a country. But when the internet takes traffic across borders it is almost unmanageable. American-owned intellectual property, say, may be uploaded in one country and downloaded in a second, via a website whose computers are in a third, operated by anonymous enthusiasts (or criminals) from goodness-knows-where. So whom do you sue, and in which courts? The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), now before America?s Congress, is the latest of many recent attempts to defend property rights on the internet. http://www.economist.com/node/21540234 With friends like the DMCA, who needs SOPA? The proposed Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA, garners a lot of hatred from commentators and the Internet industry as whole, but it?s only the next logical step after the already-flawed Digital Millenium Copyright Act. Many discussions reference the DMCA?s ?safe harbor? provision when talking about the removal of infringing content on sites like YouTube, but the provision doesn?t really provide safety at all. It might more fairly be called the ?plea bargain? provision: you do less time and save on attorney fees, but you?re no less guilty. http://gigaom.com/2011/11/27/with-friends-like-the-dmca-who-needs-sopa/ au: New laws planned to tackle videos posted online There is to be a crackdown on people who video and distribute humiliating and degrading images of others without their consent. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-24/videos-assaults-schools-john-rau/3691754 au: Ads on porn sites spur call for reform THE peak online advertising sales body has blamed ad exchanges, including Google's, for putting ads for big-name brands on soft porn websites. http://www.smh.com.au/business/media-and-marketing/ads-on-porn-sites-spur-call-for-reform-20111124-1nwuz.html uk: Ofcom: ISPs must reveal more about traffic throttling ISPs must be clearer with broadband customers about how they restrict traffic, Ofcom has said, warning it may force them to do so if they do not improve. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/regulation/2011/11/24/ofcom-isps-must-reveal-more-about-traffic-throttling-40094501/ uk: Improving traffic management transparency: Ofcom sets out steps for ISPs to take Ofcom today set out the steps it expects Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to take to ensure customers are aware of how internet traffic is being managed on their networks. http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2011/11/24/improving-traffic-management-transparency-ofcom-sets-out-steps-for-isps-to-take/ nz: First school receives an infringement notice ? report UPDATED: A report on Twitter says a New Zealand school has received its first infringement notices. 'Jez Brown' tweeted today that a New Zealand school had received its first infringement notice, but said he could not give more details as it was information given in confidence. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/new-zealand-school-receives-first-infringement-notices-?-report-aw-105113 nz: Pirate Party pushes candidates for protest Internet users in Wellington and Hamilton East who are concerned about the "Skynet" copyright regime will have a chance to make a protest vote at the election tomorrow. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6034385/Pirate-Party-pushes-candidates-for-protest ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** eu: Commission presses 16 Member States to implement new EU telecoms rules [news release] The European Commission has written to sixteen Member States which have failed to fully implement new EU telecoms rules into national law, six months after the deadline to do so (25 May 2011). Partial implementation of the EU Telecoms rules limit consumers' rights in these 16 Member States. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/1429 nz: TelstraClear to offer unmetered internet How well would the internet work if internet providers axed data traffic caps and let people surf the web and watch online videos without any restrictions? http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/6047465/TelstraClear-to-offer-unmetered-internet +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2011 --------- David Goldstein email: goldstein_david at 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 Sun Nov 27 2011 - 23:49:19 UTC
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