[DNS] domain name news - 19 January

From: David Goldstein <david> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:26:27 +1100 · This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.0 : Sat Sep 09 2017 - 22:00:11 UTC

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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No 'supranational regulatory body' should govern the Internet, say U.S. officials
http://www.fiercegovernmentit.com/story/no-supranational-regulatory-body-should-govern-internet-say-us-officials/2012-01-16

Australia's .AU Contributes $475m Per Year And 4300 Jobs
http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/01/18/australias-au-contributes-475m-per-year-and-4300-jobs-to-economy/

.au Contributes Half a Billion Dollars to Australia?s Economy
http://www.auda.org.au/pdf/MediaRelease180112.pdf

AusRegistry releases Information Paper on Drop Catching
http://www.ausregistry.com.au/news/drop_catching_paper.php

Internet control should be outside government?s domain by Michael Geist
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Geist+Internet+control+should+outside+government+domain/6004799/story.html

NZ web users may get .kiwi domain
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ict-news/news/article.cfm?c_id=55&objectid=10779105

World IPv6 Launch Solidifies Global Support for New Internet Protocol
http://www.internetsociety.org/news/world-ipv6-launch-solidifies-global-support-new-internet-protocol

Protest on Web Uses Shutdown to Take On Two Piracy Bills
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/18/technology/web-wide-protest-over-two-antipiracy-bills.html

PIPA support collapses, with 13 new Senators opposed
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/01/pipa-support-collapses-with-13-new-opponents-in-senate.ars

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GOVERNANCE
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No 'supranational regulatory body' should govern the Internet, say U.S. officials
The United States will oppose attempts to create a "supranational regulatory body" for the Internet during a planned December 2012 meeting of the International Telecommunications Union, said Larry Strickling, head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Strickling spoke Jan. 11 at the Brookings Institution.
http://www.fiercegovernmentit.com/story/no-supranational-regulatory-body-should-govern-internet-say-us-officials/2012-01-16

Internet Governance Outlook 2012, part two: what can be done and when by Wolfgang Kleinw?chter [sub req'd]
In the second of this two-part review of the extraordinary year facing the Internet and its governance, professor for Internet Policy and Regulation at the University of Aarhus, Wolfgang Kleinw?chter looks at the effort to develop an Internet version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the opportunities and risks presented by ICANN's new gTLD program, and the raft of over 50 "very important meetings" that will define 2012 as one of the most significant the Internet has ever faced.
http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/01/16/ig-outlook-2012-part-two

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DOMAIN NAMES
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 - ICANN
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Framework for the FY 13 Budget
Purpose (Brief): The release of the Framework for the FY 13 Budget kicks off the operational planning process for ICANN, providing the community with their first look at the current and planned work, along with estimated financial resources required for FY13.
http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-17jan12-en.htm

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 - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
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Australia's .AU Contributes $475m Per Year And 4300 Jobs
Australia's .AU country code TLD is responsible for more than 4300 full time jobs and contributed $475 million to the Australian economy a report by Deloitte Access Economics has found.
http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16729
http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/01/18/australias-au-contributes-475m-per-year-and-4300-jobs-to-economy/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/australias-au-contributes-475m-per-year-and-4300-jobs-to-economy.html

.au Contributes Half a Billion Dollars to Australia?s Economy
Twitter hashtag - #Dotau : Australia?s home on the Internet, the .au domain, has created more than 4300 full-time jobs and contributed $475 million to the Australian economy last year, according to a report released today by Deloitte Access Economics.
http://www.auda.org.au/pdf/MediaRelease180112.pdf

Release of report on the contribution of .au to Australia's economy
A report by Deloitte Access Economics has found that the .au domain has created more than 4300 full-time jobs and contributed $475 million to the Australian economy last year. The report, ?Economic and Statistical Analysis of the .au Domain Range?, was commissioned by auDA and AusRegistry in late 2011. It is the first report to review .au?s economic value and impact on Australian Internet users, businesses and registrants.
http://www.auda.org.au/news-archive/auda-17012012/

.au - Australia's Home On The Internet
auDA, AusRegistry and Deloitte Access Economics have released the first ever report into the economic value and impact of .au web addresses. The report found the .au domain name space contributed $475 million to the Australian economy last year and created more than 4300 full-time jobs.
http://ausregistry.com.au/research/

Australian website numbers explode [AAP]
AUSTRALIA is in the midst of a .au boom, with more than 60,000 .au sites being registered monthly and local websites contributing $475 million to the domestic economy.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/australian-website-numbers-explode/story-e6frgakx-1226246956591

Patriotism drives .au web boom [AAP]
Forget the .com bubble. That was so 1998. We're now in the midst of a .au boom, according to a new Deloitte Access Economics report.
http://www.techworld.com.au/article/412659/patriotism_drives_au_web_boom/
http://finance.ninemsn.com.au/newsbusiness/aap/8404617/patriotism-drives-au-web-boom
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/patriotism-drives-au-web-boom/story-e6frede3-1226246897029
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/patriotism-drives-475m-au-web-boom-20120118-1q5a8.html
http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/patriotism-drives-475m-au-web-boom-20120118-1q5a8.html
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/412659/patriotism_drives_au_web_boom/

.au adds nearly half a billion dollars to the Australian economy: report
According to a report prepared by Deloitte Access Economics, the .au ccTLD contributes nearly half a billion dollars to the Australian economy.
http://www.itwire.com/it-industry-news/development/52232-au-adds-nearly-half-a-billion-dollars-to-the-australian-economy-report

How much is the .au domain worth? Try half a billion dollars
The .au domain name space has generated big business in Australia and will continue to do so, according to a recently report by Deloitte.
http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/412770/how_much_au_domain_worth_try_half_billion_dollars/
http://www.cio.de/news/cio_worldnews/2012/2301833/index.html

Domain registration industry adds $475 million to local economy: Report
The local domain name registration industry contributed $475 million to the Australian economy in the 2011 financial year, with more than 60,000 new .au domains being added every month, a new report into the industry has found.
http://www.smartcompany.com.au/economy/20120118-domain-registration-industry-adds-475-million-to-local-economy-report.html

Consumers Opt for Aussie Sites as ?.au? Registration Soars
A report released today reveals a steep rise in .au domain name registration and shows that consumers feel Australian sites are more trustworthy.
http://www.powerretail.com.au/news/au-registration-soars/

From.au to.brand?
Looking at the growing value of domain names around the world, and the challenges facing the retail sector, it?s clear that virtual shop fronts are becoming much more valuable than many real ones.
http://technologyspectator.com.au/industry/internet/fromau-tobrand

Those .AU Domain Names Are Worth The Money
A report from Deloitte Access Economics has found that companies registering .au domain names over the past year contributed just under $475 million to the Australian economy. Wow.
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/01/those-au-domain-names-are-worth-the-money/

Oz domain regs running at 60k per month
Deloitte Access Economics has announced an ?explosion? in Australian domain registrations compared to ten years ago, in a report released today.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/01/17/au_domains_running_hot_says_deloitte/

.au domains on the up-and-up
The number of domains registered in the .au space continues to rise exponentially, according to a new report.
http://www.itwire.com/it-industry-news/development/52234-au-domains-on-the-up-and-up

.au domain space to hit $500,000,000
Ausregistry and auDA have released a report from Deloitte Access Economics, which identifies the economic contribution of the .au domain industry at $475 million, just short of half a billion dollars.
http://www.coopermills.com.au/wordpress/index.php/2012/01/au-domain-space-to-hit-500000000/

Many businesses not ready for NBN
... And separate Deloitte research has quantified the economic value of the .au domain name suffix used by many Australian businesses for internet addresses.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/entrepreneur/many-not-ready-for-nbn/story-fn7ve51s-1226246985371

Aussie pride creates web boom
Mining is providing an excellent cushion for the Australian economy, but a report released by Deloitte Access Economics shows that ?.au? domain names are also adding a significant amount of financial support.
http://www.businessreviewaustralia.com/technology/aussie-pride-creates-web-boom

AusRegistry releases Information Paper on Drop Catching
On the 5th of September 2011, the policy authority and industry self-regulatory body for the .au domain space, auDA approved the recommendations put forward by the Secondary Market Working Group, a group of industry and consumer representatives specifically brought together by auDA to:
http://www.ausregistry.com.au/news/drop_catching_paper.php

Two AFNIC/Sedo Domain Name Workshops At French Entrepreneur's Fair
On 1 and 2 February 2012, AFNIC, the registry for .FR, and SEDO will deliver two workshops titled "Domain names: the key to your web presence" at the trade fair Salon des Entrepreneurs.
http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/01/17/two-afnicsedo-domain-name-workshops-at-french-entrepreneur-fair/
http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/5596/show/two-afnic-sedo-workshops-on-domain-names-at-french-entrepreneurs-fair.html

jp.net: another example why brands may need to change their domain name strategy
Last week I wrote an article suggesting that trademark holders many need to change the way they defensively register domains for their brands in light of the new TLD launch.
http://domainnamewire.com/2012/01/16/jp-net/

Afilias expands market leadership with acquisition of RegistryPro
Afilias Limited, the ICANN-designated registry operator for the .INFO TLD and a global provider of domain registry services, today announced that it has acquired Registry Services Corporation (d.b.a. RegistryPRO), the ICANN-designated operator of the .PRO TLD, from Hostway Corporation. This brings to 17 the number of TLDs that Afilias supports, including seven generic TLDs (gTLD) operating under ICANN contracts and seven new TLDs launched since 2001.
http://www.afilias.info/news/2012/01/17/afilias-expands-market-leadership-acquisition-registrypro

Afilias acquires .pro operator RegistryPro
Afilias has acquired .pro registry manager Registry Services Corporation, which does business as RegistryPro, for an undisclosed sum.
http://domainincite.com/afilias-acquires-pro-operator-registrypro/

Nominet Warns of Scams Targeting Domain Name Registrants
Nominet, the .UK registry, is advising they have recently been made aware of a phone scam targeting domain name registrants.
http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/01/17/nominet-warns-of-scams-targeting-domain-name-registrants/
http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=8992

For sale on eBay: list of 25M companies that haven?t registered .xxx
eBay seller priccut88 wants to help you land in legal hot water ? all for a one time payment of just $2,000.
http://domainnamewire.com/2012/01/16/ebay-domain-list/

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 - NEW TLDS
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Internet control should be outside government?s domain by Michael Geist
Last week, the non-profit corporation charged with the principal responsibility for maintaining the Internet?s name system launched its controversial process for creating hundreds of new domain name extensions.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Geist+Internet+control+should+outside+government+domain/6004799/story.html

Suffix wars are best left to politics and porn
Icann does offer safeguards for companies that decide not to participate in the latest initiative: they can object if others register their brand, and the loser in any dispute carries the cost. Instead of fretting about threats, chief marketing officers should drop their defensive posture and do what they?re paid for: market the heck out of their existing brand names, online and off. US mobsters refined protection rackets in the 1930s, but they also popularised a catchphrase that fearful brand owners should apply, rather than plunging into the suffix wars: fuhgeddaboutit.
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/cf21aad0-4057-11e1-9bce-00144feab49a.html 

ANA ramps up ICANN domain name protest
As ICANN's plan to launch a new program of gTLDs was scheduled to begin accepting applications on Jan. 12, the Association of National Advertisers' drumbeat against the plan continued.
http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120116/WEB/301169990/1150

Q&A: Afilias SVP and CMO Roland LaPlante on New gTLDs
After more than seven years of planning, ICANN will finally expand the domain name server beyond its current 22 available gTLDs when it begins accepting applications for new gTLDs on April 12.
http://www.thehostingnews.com/qa-afilias-svp-and-cmo-roland-laplante-on-new-gtlds.html

The opportunity for .Islam, .Riyadh and .Arab
After more than seven years of planning, ICANN initiated a process last week that could trigger a dramatic expansion of the Internet. ICANN has begun accepting applications for new gTLDs.
http://arabnews.com/lifestyle/science_technology/article565116.ece

Arab countries prompted to adopt TLDs
Less than 1 per cent of the new TLDs set to join the ranks of .com, .qa, .ae, etc. will come from Arabic countries unless local companies and governments start engaging in new TLD applications, said a report.
http://www.tradearabia.com/news/MEDIA_211040.html

Africa In the Treshhold Of New Domain Names
The age of the Internet is here with us as ICANN, the regulator of the internet, opened the floodgate that would allow for hundreds to thousands of new domain names to be registered thereby empowering emerging economies from Africa to Asia and Latin America to have their own domain names.
http://leadership.ng/nga/articles/13557/2012/01/17/internet_africa_treshhold_new_domain_names.html

Little interest in Russian gTLDs?
Despite being given the opportunity to launch TLDs in Cyrillic script, only a handful of companies from Russia are expected to apply to ICANN for new gTLDs.
http://domainincite.com/little-interest-in-russian-gtlds/

NZ web users may get .kiwi domain
The days of 'dubdubdub.co.nz' could be set to change as a company called Dot Kiwi Limited has applied to the body that administers internet domain names for a .kiwi domain.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ict-news/news/article.cfm?c_id=55&objectid=10779105

Dot Kiwi for those wishing to fly flag
New Zealanders wanting to show their online loyalty will get the chance next year when the Dot Kiwi (.kiwi) domain name is expected to become available.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/business/194594/dot-kiwi-those-wishing-fly-flag

Dot Kiwi for dotty Kiwis
Surely few of us are going to be fooled or swayed by the use of "patriotic" domain names like ".kiwi"?
http://www.zdnet.com.au/dot-kiwi-for-dotty-kiwis-339329761.htm

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 - DNS SECURITY
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Security: Will 2012 be the dawn of DNSSEC?
Will 2012 be the year when US retailers, banks and content providers finally bolster their DNS systems with an add-on security measure that prevents website spoofing? That's what advocates of the security measure - dubbed DNSSEC for DNS Security Extensions - are hoping will occur.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/011812-dnssec-outlook-255033.html
http://www.techworld.com.au/article/412773/security_will_2012_dawn_dnssec_/
http://www.itworld.com/security/242573/will-2012-be-dawn-dnssec

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 - DOMAIN DISPUTES
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Virgin boss Richard Branson in .xxx domain name dispute
Virgin is attempting to gain control of the domain richardbranson.xxx. The company took the action after an individual unconnected with the company registered the name.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16599474

au: Sungen International Limited v. D C F X Solar Systems Pty Ltd - Case No. DAU2011-0035
1. The Parties: The Complainant is Sungen International Limited of Hong Kong, China, represented by Keith Chow & Co., Australia. The Respondent is D C F X Solar Systems Pty Ltd of New South Wales, Australia, represented internally. ... 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, <sungen.com.au>, be transferred to the Complainant.
http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=DAU2011-0035

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 - IPv4/IPv6
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World IPv6 Launch Solidifies Global Support for New Internet Protocol
Major ISPs, home networking equipment manufacturers, and web companies around the world are coming together to permanently enable IPv6 for their products and services by 6 June 2012.
http://www.internetsociety.org/news/world-ipv6-launch-solidifies-global-support-new-internet-protocol

World IPv6 launch day set to aid net address switchover
Leading internet firms have set 6 June as the World IPv6 launch day. IPv6 is the new net address system that replaces the current protocol IPv4, which is about to run out of spaces to allocate.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16601636

Permanent Adoption of IPv6 Moves Step Closer With World IPv6 Launch
The adoption of IPv6 is about to take another step forward with major ISPs, home networking equipment manufacturers and web companies around the world are coming together to permanently enable IPv6 for their products and services by 6 June 2012.
http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16735
http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/01/18/permanent-adoption-of-ipv6-moves-step-closer-with-world-ipv6-launch/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/permanent-adoption-of-ipv6-moves-step-closer-with-world-ipv6-launch.html

US ISPs, websites commit to June 6 start for IPv6
Several of the world's largest ISPs and websites have committed to permanently enabling IPv6 -- the next-generation Internet Protocol -- on their products and services starting June 6, 2012.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/011712-ipv6-launch-254964.html
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/telecommunications/leading-isps-websites-commit-to-june-6-start-for-ipv6

au: Internode turns on IPv6 for new customers
Internode has become the first Australian broadband provider to make IPv6 available by default for new customers.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/412687/internode_turns_ipv6_new_customers/
http://www.techworld.com.au/article/412687/internode_turns_ipv6_new_customers/
http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/412683/internode_first_take_ipv6_plunge/

Internode to make IPv6 mainstream
Internode is spearheading an initiative to make IPv6 take off in Australia, announcing today that all new customers will have IPv6 enabled by default.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/internode-to-make-ipv6-mainstream-339329915.htm

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 - MISCELLANEOUS
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Protest on Web Uses Shutdown to Take On Two Piracy Bills
With a Web-wide protest on Wednesday that includes a 24-hour shutdown of the English-language Wikipedia, the legislative battle over two Internet piracy bills has reached an extraordinary moment ? a political coming of age for a relatively young and disorganized industry that has largely steered clear of lobbying and other political games in Washington. ... Opponents of the legislation have clearly seized the momentum in the debate. Their protests have gained traction in that key provisions were stripped out of one bill and the Obama administration has raised concerns. Legislators have already agreed to delay or drop one ire-inducing component of the bills, Domain Name System blocking, which would prevent access to sites that were found to have illegal content.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/18/technology/web-wide-protest-over-two-antipiracy-bills.html

PIPA support collapses, with 13 new Senators opposed
Members of the Senate are rushing for the exits in the wake of the Internet's unprecedented protest of the Protect IP Act (PIPA). At least 13 members of the upper chamber announced their opposition on Wednesday. In a particularly severe blow from Hollywood, at least five of the newly-opposed Senators were previously sponsors of the Protect IP Act.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/01/pipa-support-collapses-with-13-new-opponents-in-senate.ars

Sopa: US backers end support for anti-piracy bill
Eight US lawmakers have withdrawn their backing from anti-piracy laws, amid "blackout" protests on thousands of internet sites.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16623831

U.S. Lawmakers Abandon Anti-Piracy Bills as Google Protests
Eight U.S. lawmakers dropped their support for Hollywood-backed anti-piracy legislation as Google Inc., Facebook Inc. and other websites protested the measures.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-18/six-u-s-lawmakers-abandon-anti-piracy-bill-support-as-google-protests.html

What does SOPA mean for us foreigners?
The Stop Online Piracy Act is an American piece of legislation, and as a general rule, American legislation has only limited influence outside US borders. My fellow Europeans might, for example, marvel at the almost proud dysfunction that led to the creation of some American legislation, but ultimately it was irrelevant to us; a sideshow to be watched with bemusement.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/01/what-does-sopa-mean-for-us-foreigners.ars

A history of IP violence: how SOPA's and PIPA's sponsors have waged war on the Internet
Three members of Congress have played an outsized role in the advancement of copyright protection legislation over the past few years: Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), and Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-MI). And while the tech industry has certainly attempted to sway them with campaign support, the media industry has been even more generous in response to their efforts on behalf of big content.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/01/a-history-of-ip-violence-how-sopas-and-pipas-sponsors-have-waged-war-on-the-internet.ars

SOPA, Internet regulation, and the economics of piracy
Earlier this month, I detailed at some length why claims about the purported economic harms of piracy, offered by supporters of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and PROTECT-IP Act (PIPA), ought to be treated with much more skepticism than they generally get from journalists and policymakers. My own view is that this ought to be rather secondary to the policy discussion: SOPA and PIPA would be ineffective mechanisms for addressing the problem, and a terrible idea for many other reasons, even if the numbers were exactly right. No matter how bad last season's crops were, witch burnings are a poor policy response. Fortunately, legislators finally seem to be cottoning on to this: SOPA now appears to be on ice for the time being, and PIPA's own sponsors are having second thoughts about mucking with the Internet's Domain Name System.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/01/internet-regulation-and-the-economics-of-piracy.ars

Wikipedia to go offline to protest anti-piracy legislation
Most people probably haven't paid much attention to the huge corporations waging war in Washington over legislation designed to crack down on online theft of movies, music and other content. But the conflict will hit consumers in the face Wednesday, when Wikipedia and a number of other websites intend to go dark to protest the proposed changes.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-wikipedia-20120117,0,4565597.story

Wikipedia to Go Dark on Wednesday to Protest Bills on Web Piracy
The wave of online protests against two Congressional bills that aim to curtail copyright violations on the Internet is gathering momentum.
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/16/wikipedia-plans-to-go-dark-on-wednesday-to-protest-sopa/

Why we need to stop SOPA and PIPA: Joi Ito and Ethan Zuckerman discuss why current anti-piracy legislation in the US must be stopped.
SOPA - the Stop Online Piracy Act - and a sister bill, PIPA - the Protect IP Act - seek to minimise the dissemination of copyrighted material online by targeting sites that promote and enable the sharing of copyright-protected material, like The Pirate Bay. While this goal may be laudable, entrepreneurs, legal scholars and free speech activists are worried about the consequences of these bills for the architecture of the internet. At the MIT Media Lab, we share those concerns, and we oppose SOPA and PIPA as threats to innovation on the internet.
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/01/2012115121928594335.html

A Close Look at SOPA by Jonathan Zittrain, Kendra Albert and Alicia Solow-Niederman
This document is a guide to the Stop Online Piracy Act as proposed in the United States House of Representatives. Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), H.R. 3261, 112th Cong. (2011). It represents our notes as we sought to understand exactly what it does and how it does it ? along with our corresponding sense for why its principal mechanisms make for poor law. Our aim is for this analysis to be useful to anyone wanting to understand the Act ? whatever his or her point of view may be on technology or intellectual property policy.
http://futureoftheinternet.org/reading-sopa
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/01/20121169929629872.html

Internet-Wide Protests Against the Blacklist Legislation: Join EFF and websites across the world in protesting the dangerous censorship legislation currently pending in Congress
On January 18th, EFF will join websites across the world in standing up against the proposed blacklist bills (SOPA in the House and the PROTECT IP Act in the Senate). EFF is calling on websites to be part of the protest by blacking out their logos, posting statements opposing the bills, and linking to our action center. Websites are also encouraged to follow the powerful examples of Reddit, Wikipedia and others by ?blacking out? their entire site for a day. If you do choose to take down your website in protest, please be sure to post a message about why you oppose the blacklist bills and consider linking to the EFF action center so site visitors can take the next step and contact Congress.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/01/january-18-internet-wide-protests-against-blacklist-legislation

Sopa and Pipa would create a consumption-only internet by Clay Shirky
There are many reasons to dislike Sopa and Pipa, the pair of internet censorship bills working their way through the US Congress. They are (another) example of the influence of corporate money on American politics: US media firms have cumulatively donated tens of millions of dollars to the bills' authors. They are (another) example of representatives refusal to represent the public: they tried to rush the bills through at the end of last year, with no public consultation. And the proposed technical solution ? censorship enforced through the domain name system ? would not have the effect they want it to have, but its technical side-effects would break important parts of the internet.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/jan/18/sopa-pipa-consumption-only-internet

Wikipedia joins blackout protest at US anti-piracy moves
Wikipedia has taken its English-language site offline as part of protests against proposed anti-piracy laws in the US. Users attempting to access the site see a black screen and a political statement: "Imagine a world without free knowledge."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16590585

In Fight Over Piracy Bills, New Economy Rises Against Old
When the powerful world of old media mobilized to win passage of an online antipiracy bill, it marshaled the reliable giants of K Street ? the United States Chamber of Commerce, the Recording Industry Association of America and, of course, the motion picture lobby, with its new chairman, former Senator Christopher J. Dodd, the Connecticut Democrat and an insider?s insider.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/19/technology/web-protests-piracy-bill-and-2-key-senators-change-course.html

New, Old Media Battle Over Net Rules
The passage of antipiracy legislation affecting the Internet, long considered likely, is no longer so certain. Showing a strategic ability worthy of the best political campaigns, some of the Internet's most popular sites are about to unleash a splashy weapon ? Internet blackout day ? to block proposed antipiracy legislation.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203735304577167331129343336.html

WSJ comes out for SOPA, more lawmakers pull support
One of America's most respected newspapers has come out on the side of copyright owners by supporting a controversial antipiracy legislation, which the technology sector has sworn to defeat.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-57361059-261/wsj-comes-out-for-sopa-more-lawmakers-pull-support/

Web Piracy Bill Faces Fiercer Fight: Media Companies Lose Ground as White House Sides With Internet Firms; Wikipedia Plans Protest
Supporters of controversial antipiracy legislation face a struggle to regain momentum after the White House sided with irate Internet companies and users over the weekend and complained that the proposal could hurt innocent companies and undermine cybersecurity.
http://www.wallstreetjournal.de/article/SB10001424052970203735304577165081404005466.html

White House Blasts Internet Blacklisting Bills
The Obama administration said Saturday that it would not support legislation mandating changes to internet infrastructure to fight online copyright and trademark infringement.
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/01/white-house-blasts-internet-blacklisting-bills/

SOPA lives?and MPAA calls protests an "abuse of power"
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has looked at tomorrow's "Internet blackout" in opposition to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)?and it sees only a "gimmick," a "stunt," "hyperbole," "a dangerous and troubling development," an "irresponsible response," and an "abuse of power."
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/01/sopa-livesand-mpaa-calls-protests-an-abuse-of-power.ars

Online Piracy Bill Supporters Criticize Website Blackout
Supporters of legislation that seeks to curb piracy and counterfeiting on foreign websites Tuesday assailed opponents who have pledged to shutter their websites in protest of the measures.
http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/01/online-piracy-bill-supporters.php

Stop Sopa or the web really will go dark
As thousands of websites, including the English version of Wikipedia, prepare to "go dark" Wednesday in protest against internet censorship, a new explanation is emerging for the would-be censors' acts: they simply don't understand how the internet works. The evidence suggests otherwise.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/jan/17/stop-sopa-or-web-will-go-dark

Why I want to bring down the internet ? for a day
The founder of Wikipedia is leading calls for search engines and social media sites including Google, Facebook and Twitter to take themselves offline for an entire day in protest against a controversial bill winding its way through the US Senate that could have profound implications for the internet.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/why-i-want-to-bring-down-the-internet--for-a-day-6290703.html

Wikipedia to go dark in SOPA protest, Twitter declines [IDG]
Wikipedia has decided to black out the English version of the online encyclopedia for 24 hours on Wednesday to protest against controversial legislation in the U.S., following a cue given by some other Internet sites including social news site Reddit which will black out its site for 12 hours on the same day.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/011712-wikipedia-to-go-dark-in-254952.html
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/248265/wikipedia_to_go_dark_in_sopa_protest_twitter_declines.html

How PIPA and SOPA Violate White House Principles Supporting Free Speech and Innovation
Over the weekend, the Obama administration issued a potentially game-changing statement on the blacklist bills, saying it would oppose PIPA and SOPA as written, and drew an important line in the sand by emphasizing that it ?will not support? any bill ?that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet."
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/01/how-pipa-and-sopa-violate-white-house-principles-supporting-free-speech

Bills to Stop Web Piracy Invite a Protracted Battle
When the Obama administration announced on Saturday its opposition to major elements of two Congressional bills intended to curtail copyright violations on the Internet, the technology industry, which has been loudly fighting the proposed legislation, could declare victory.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/16/technology/web-piracy-bills-invite-a-protracted-battle.html

Rupert Murdoch Sopa attack rebuffed by Google
Google has hit back at Rupert Murdoch after he branded the search giant a "piracy leader". ... In response, Google said that it fought pirates and counterfeiters "every day".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16574977

Planned US anti-piracy laws a draconian mess by Kimberley Heitman
The battle over proposed anti-piracy bills in the US is not just about Hollywood versus the internet, it is a fight between the past and the future. It also throws up a real danger that the laws could become an easy way to silence critics.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/planned-us-antipiracy-laws-a-draconian-mess-20120118-1q5z0.html

US internet laws could be used to attack NZ websites
As the British Wikipedia site goes dark for 24 hours to protest American internet piracy laws, web experts are warning the laws could be used to attack New Zealand websites.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/connect/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501833&objectid=10779541

SOPA on the ropes: Congress shelves controversial anti-piracy law
Following heated opposition - including strong criticism from two key advisers to President Obama on Saturday NZ time - Congress has shelved the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). But InternetNZ boss Vikram Kumar told NBR the battle is far from over, with related legislation still before the US Senate.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/sopa-ropes-congress-shelves-controversial-anti-piracy-law-ck-107880

SOPA hearings to resume next month
Hearings on the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), which were postponed recently, will resume next month, according to the House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/not-out-yet-sopa-hearings-resume-next-month-aw-107972

NZ politicians on SOPA
The internet, for such a behemoth, is remarkably fragile. Currently it's pretty awesome in most of the western world. Aside from streaming services, most people can see everything that everyone else can see all over the world, which was nigh unheard of pre-web.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/blogs/f5/6275149/NZ-politicians-on-SOPA

NZ govt seeks advice on US anti-piracy law
New Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amy Adams has told NBR she is monitoring controversy in the US over the pending Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/nz-govt-seeks-advise-us-anti-piracy-law-ck-108079

NZ websites can join 'blackout' protest against US internet laws
New Zealand website owners can now join a Kiwi version of today's "blackout" protest against America's internet piracy laws, thanks to a Wellington web developer.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/connect/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501833&objectid=10779778

NZ websites join Wikipedia in blackout
At least two New Zealand websites are blacked out in protest at proposed US anti-piracy laws.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/nz-websites-join-wikipedia-in-blackout-4692697

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INTERNET USE
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Internet now active with 2.1 billion users
Looking at the state of the online world throughout 2011, traffic site Pingdom found that the number of Internet users has jumped from a mere 360 million at the end of 2000 and now accounts for 30 percent of the planet's population.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57360925-93/internet-now-active-with-2.1-billion-users/

Internet 2011 in numbers
So what happened with the Internet in 2011? How many email accounts were there in the world in 2011? How many websites? How much did the most expensive domain name cost? How many photos were hosted on Facebook? How many videos were viewed to YouTube?
http://royal.pingdom.com/2012/01/17/internet-2011-in-numbers/

Can a website boost the economy? President Obama hopes so.
Along with the government reorganization President Obama announced Friday aimed at streamlining federal agencies that support business and trade, the White House said it will soon create a new website, Business.USA.gov, to help American businesses and entrepreneurs better navigate government services designed to help them.
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20120113_1148.php

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CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY
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More abuse victims being groomed online, says Barnardo's
The majority of child sex abuse victims in some parts of Britain are now groomed through social networking websites or by mobile phone, according to a leading charity.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/9017934/More-abuse-victims-being-groomed-online-says-Barnardos.html

Little is happening to protect child sex victims [news release]
Little is happening to protect victims of child sexual exploitation in many communities around the country and in some areas budget cuts are leading to the issue being downgraded.
http://www.barnardos.org.uk/news_and_events/current_news.htm?ref=76618

Hackers spread malware via children's gaming websites
Hackers are increasingly targeting child-focused gaming websites, according to a leading anti-virus firm.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16576542

ANTI-SOCIAL NETWORK: Australia - the Facebook bullying capital
NEARLY every single Australian family has had a brush with harassment on Facebook, according to a horrifying global report on cyber bullying.
http://www.news.com.au/technology/anti-social-network-australia-the-facebook-bullying-capital/story-e6frfro0-1226246496953

au: Bieber impersonator targets 10yo girl online
Sydney police say an online predator was able to target a 10-year-old girl by pretending to be Canadian pop star Justin Bieber.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-18/bieber-impersonator-targets-10yo-girl-online/3780094

au: Bieber impersonator asks girl, 10, to model 'revealing clothing' on webcam
A person pretending to be Justin Bieber online has asked a 10-year-old girl to pose on a webcam, prompting police to warn parents about internet predators.
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/bieber-impersonator-asks-girl-10-to-model-revealing-clothing-on-webcam-20120118-1q5al.html

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ONLINE TV & MUSIC
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BBC iPlayer enjoys record audience figures
The BBC iPlayer has recorded its highest ever number of programme requests with 187 million registered last month across smartphones, internet connected TVs and tablets.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/9017594/BBC-iPlayer-enjoys-record-audience-figures.html

Deloitte: TV Schedule Still Guides Viewing Choices
In its 2012 Technology, Media & Telecommunications Predictions report, Deloitte forecasts that 95 percent of TV programs watched this year will likely be viewed live or "near live."
http://www.worldscreen.com/articles/display/2012-1-17-deloitte-live-viewing

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ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL
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Security, ownership key factors in offering Wi-Fi
Security, maintenance and ownership of the network are more important considerations for service industry players looking to provide free Wi-Fi service to customers, rather than the cost of implementation, industry watchers note.
http://www.zdnetasia.com/security-ownership-key-factors-in-offering-wi-fi-62303529.htm

'Mortified' Google Apologizes to Kenyan Business
Google today confirmed that a Kenyan-based Google team tasked with helping get local businesses online had improperly mined the customer database of a Kenyan online business directory and, in some cases, misled customers.
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2012/01/13/mortified-google-apologizes-to-kenyan-business/

Web Gang Operating in the Open
Five men believed to be responsible for spreading a notorious computer worm on Facebook and other social networks ? and pocketing several million dollars from online schemes ? are hiding in plain sight in St. Petersburg, Russia, according to investigators at Facebook and several independent computer security researchers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/17/technology/koobface-gang-uses-facebook-to-spread-powerful-worm.html

Facebook Koobface worm 'hacker gang named'
Alleged cybercriminals behind an internet worm, which spread via Facebook and other social networks, have been named.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16595856

German ISP does not have to block foreign 'illegal' betting sites
A German internet service provider does not have to block its customers from accessing foreign betting websites even if they are considered illegal in the country, according to reports.
http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/january-/german-isp-does-not-have-to-block-foreign-illegal-betting-sites/

2 Israeli Web Sites Crippled as Cyberwar Escalates
Israel faced an escalating cyberwar on Monday as unknown attackers disrupted access to the symbolically strategic Web sites of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and El Al, the national airline.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/17/world/middleeast/cyber-attacks-temporarily-cripple-2-israeli-web-sites.html

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SECURITY
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Study: U.K., U.S. wield most 'Cyber Power'
The United Kingdom and United States lead other developing countries in their ability to withstand cyberattacks and develop strong digital economies, according to a new study by Booz Allen Hamilton and the Economist Intelligence Unit.
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20120113_4244.php

Australia ranked third for Cyber Power
Australia has been ranked third behind the UK and US and ahead of 17 other G-20 nations for its ability to withstand cyber attacks and to deploy the digital infrastructure needed for a productive and secure economy.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/412544/australia_ranked_third_cyber_power/

The Cyber Hub
The Cyber Hub provides an overview of the digital arena. As governments and businesses strive to remain competitive in a cyber era, the Economist Intelligence Unit, sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton, has set out to understand the significance of cyber power today. The research is built on several integral parts: an interactive index that assesses specific aspects of the cyber environment of the G20 countries, and a series of research papers that examine the implications for the business community. ... Executive summary: It is well established that strong digital development increases cyber power potential, yet a rise in dependency also results in greater security risks. As illustrated by the Cyber Power Index, many countries struggle with this inherent contradiction, while leading countries meet these new challenges. Cyber power is defined here as the ability to withstand cyber attacks and to deploy the digital infrastructure necessary for a productive and secure economy. The concept of cyber power therefore encompasses both the benefits and the potential challenges of reliance on digital resources.
http://www.cyberhub.com/Home/About

us: Aide: Senate nears agreement on cybersecurity bill
The Senate could move ahead with a broad-ranging cybersecurity bill in as little as a week, an aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev., said on Tuesday.
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20120117_9112.php

Pentagon cedes control of Defense cyber pilot to DHS
The Homeland Security Department is taking over a heralded Pentagon project that shared classified intelligence with select military contractors and their communications providers, DHS officials said.
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20120117_6581.php

Israeli and Palestinian hackers trade DDoS attacks in rising cyber-gang war
Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli hackers are waging a cyber street-fight in a tit-for-tat exchange of posturing, threats of mass credit card exposures, and denial-of-service attacks. As Hamas has egged on hackers in recent weeks, promoting more "hacktivist" attacks against Israeli targets, pro-Israel hackers have responded in kind, today taking down the websites of stock exchanges in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Both sites appear to be back online.
http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2012/01/israeli-and-palestinian-hackers-trade-ddos-attacks-in-rising-cyber-gang-war.ars

au: Companies told to report cyber attacks
With online threats on the rise, companies under cyber attack have been told to immediately contact CERT Australia, the organisation that monitors our nation's cyber space.
http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/security-it/companies-told-to-report-cyber-attacks-20120118-1q66m.html

Nearly 4 mln computers infected by viruses in December: Chinese security center
A total of 3.94 million computers in China were infected by viruses in December 2011, a national computer security monitoring center said Tuesday.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-01/17/c_131365378.htm

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PRIVACY
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How Google & Co. Will Rule Your Rep: Yes, it's time to worry about what you've spilled to the world
Reputation is a tricky business. And not just for politicians anymore. This year we're all worried about approval ratings?or should be. Reputation was once a qualitative measure of our behavior, vital but vague. Now it's getting quantitative. Soon there is likely to be an actual numerical reputation score for each of us, like a FICO credit score but for our whole lives.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203513604577142861752228088.html

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CENSORSHIP
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China to expand registration rules for microblog users
China will expand real-name registration for microblog users, the government's propaganda and information arm said on Wednesday, in its latest step to better control China's wildly popular Twitter-like websites.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/01/18/oukin-uk-china-internet-idUKTRE80H0D620120118

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GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
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PIPA support collapses, with 13 new Senators opposed
Members of the Senate are rushing for the exits in the wake of the Internet's unprecedented protest of the Protect IP Act (PIPA). At least 13 members of the upper chamber announced their opposition on Wednesday. In a particularly severe blow from Hollywood, at least five of the newly-opposed Senators were previously sponsors of the Protect IP Act.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/01/pipa-support-collapses-with-13-new-opponents-in-senate.ars