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 *************************************************** Swiss Court Upholds SWITCH's Right To Link To Switchplus http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/08/28/swiss-court-upholds-switchs-right-to-link-to-switchplus/ Dot Kiwi fails to knock out .kiwi.nz http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/7563230/Dot-Kiwi-fails-to-knock-out-kiwi-nz Melbourne IT Plans to Bring HARM to DC by Philip Corwin http://internetcommerce.org/MIT_HARM The .patagonia problem http://domainincite.com/10265-the-patagonia-problem The Trademark Clearinghouse: Secure, Reliable, Usable - Pick Any Two by Gavin Brown http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120828_trademark_clearinghouse_secure_reliable_usable_pick_any_two/ Legal Information Provider Misleads On Rising Domain Disputes Story http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/08/28/legal-information-provider-misleads-on-rising-domain-disputes-story/ us: Government admits defeat, gives back seized Rojadirecta domains http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/08/government-goes-0-2-admits-defeat-in-rojadirecta-domain-forfeit-case/ nz: Survey reveals shift in focus to IPv6 adoption http://www.ipv6.org.nz/2012/08/29/survey-reveals-shift-in-focus-to-ipv6-adoption/ Problems With Defining Jurisdiction on the Internet by David Maher http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120827_problems_with_defining_jurisdiction_on_the_internet/ ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** us: GOP platform adopts Internet freedom plank Republicans vowed to fight against efforts that would give international or intergovernmental organizations more control over the Internet in their party platform, approved on Tuesday. http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/246233-gop-adopts-internet-freedom-plank-in-platform GOP Platform Calls For 'Internet Freedom,' Opposes Net Neutrality The Republican Party pleasantly surprised open Internet advocates on Tuesday by including support for "Internet freedom" in its official 2012 platform. Tech advocates still object to the GOP platform's continued opposition to net neutrality standards and argue that the platform's support for some aggressive trade policies is inconsistent with its language on Internet freedom. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/29/gop-platform-internet_n_1841228.html Republican manifesto calls for internet freedom but no net neutrality The Republican Party has decided on its official platform for the coming presidential election, and where tech is concerned, it's running on a ticket of reforming the FCC, dumping net neutrality, and selling off wireless spectrum as fast as it can find it. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/08/29/republican_2012_election_platform/ OpenStand: Internet standards groups embrace open process Five leading Internet standards bodies have joined together to articulate a set of guidelines for the creation of open standards that they say will foster continued innovation, competition and interoperability in the Internet industry. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/082912-openstand-262026.html http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/software/3378410/openstand-internet-standards-groups-embrace-open-process/ http://www.cio.com/article/715039/Openstand_Internet_Standards_Groups_Embrace_Open_Process Internet standards bodies unite to push 'new paradigm' for global standards development Five Internet standards bodies - the IEEE, Internet Architecture Board (IAB), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), Internet Society and World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) - have joined force to push other standardisations bodies to adopt a new paradigm for global, open standards based on "the effective and efficient standardization processes that have made the Internet and Web the premiere platforms for innovation and borderless commerce." http://www.itwire.com/it-industry-news/market/56367-internet-standards-bodies-unite-to-push-new-paradigm-for-global-standards-development ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Draft Recommendations Overall Policy for the Selection of IDN ccTLD Strings Purpose (Brief): The IDN ccPDP report on the draft policy recommendations for the selection of IDN ccTLDs associated with the territories listed in the ISO 3166-1 (IDN ccTLDs) within the framework of the IDN country code Policy Development Process. In time the overall policy will replace the rules for the IDN ccTLD Fast Track Process. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-29aug12-en.htm Tell Us What You Think: ICANN.ORG Web Site Redesign Survey The redesign of ICANN.ORG was launched on 27 February 2012. As we pass the six-month mark, we'd like to get your feedback. Is the redesigned site easier to use? Do you find the new features useful? Did we effectively streamline site navigation? http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-29aug12-en.htm Why domain names need punctuation ICANN wants to know whether it should formally ban ?dotless? domain names in the gTLDs for which it oversees policy. http://domainincite.com/10254-why-domain-names-need-punctuation Delinquent top 20 registrar not delinquent after all China?s largest domain name registrar isn?t shirking its ICANN fees, despite previous allegations to the contrary. http://domainincite.com/10241-delinquent-top-20-registrar-not-delinquent-after-all NEW INSTANCE OF ICANN L-ROOT SERVER INSTALLED IN COSTA RICA NIC Costa Rica, specialized unit of the Academy of Sciences, together with ICANN installed a copy of the ICANN?s L-Root server in Costa Rica. http://www.nic.cr/niccr_publico/showSimpleNew.do?id=32 ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** at: Half of registrars ?not sure? about new gTLDs ? survey About half of domain name registrars are still not sold on the idea of new gTLDs, according to the results of a small Nic.at report. http://domainincite.com/10250-half-of-registrars-not-sure-about-new-gtlds Lack of Internet Capacity Threatens Canadian Data Transmissions Boomerang Web and e-mail traffic -- transmissions that start and end in Canada but nevertheless travel to the U.S. -- are causing concern among Canadian Internet users, researchers and industry associations. ... In that sense, Internet integrity is about the overall health of the Canadian economy, says the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, the organization that manages the .CA Internet domain. http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/news/lack-of-internet-capacity-threatens-canadian-data-transmissions/1001653656/ Federal Supreme Court upholds SWITCH's appeal In the switchplus case, the Federal Supreme Court upheld SWITCH's appeal on 14 August 2012. The Foundation has noted the verdict with satisfaction. On 22 March 2012, SWITCH lodged an appeal with the Federal Supreme Court against the verdict of the Federal Administrative Court of 13 February 2012. This verdict banned SWITCH from providing a link to its subsidiary switchplus ag on the switch.ch website. SWITCH's appeal was upheld in its entirety by the Federal Supreme Court on 14 August 2012. http://www.switch.ch/about/news/2012/bundesgericht.html Swiss Court Upholds SWITCH's Right To Link To Switchplus The Swiss Federal Supreme Court has upheld the SWITCH?s right to provide a link to its independent subsidiary switchplus ag. http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/08/28/swiss-court-upholds-switchs-right-to-link-to-switchplus/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/swiss-court-upholds-switchs-right-to-link-to-switchplus.html Oops, I entrusted my domain name to a tiny island nation! The world takes .com?s uptime, along with that of many other TLDs run by large registries, for granted. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/08/27/oops-i-entrusted-my-domain-name-to-a-tiny-island-nation/ Drop-catching and Whois are the subjects for the Domain Name Debate 2012 SIDN, the company behind .nl, is organising the 2012 Domain Name Debate at the Koninklijke Schouwburg in The Hague on 28 September. SIDN uses such debates to gauge stakeholder opinion on proposed changes to the rules governing the Netherlands' internet domain. At the debates, any interested party can have a say and thus help to shape future policy. The fourth Domain Name Debate focuses on drop-catching and further restriction of the amount of information about private registrants available from the Whois. https://www.sidn.nl/en/news/news/article/dropcatching-en-whois-onderwerpen-domeinnaamdebat-2012-1/ Dot Kiwi fails to knock out .kiwi.nz InternetNZ's approval of the new domain name .kiwi.nz has provoked an immediate reaction from Tim Johnson, CEO of Dot Kiwi Ltd, which has applied for the TLD .kiwi. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/7563230/Dot-Kiwi-fails-to-knock-out-kiwi-nz Over 25% Of All .Pro Domains Went Into Pending Delete Status Yesterday I was tipped off from a reader that the some 42,000 .Pro registrations went into Pending Delete status yesterday according to RegistrarStats.com http://www.thedomains.com/2012/08/29/over-25-of-all-pro-domains-went-into-pending-delete-status-yesterday/ ICM hires Fausett to help with YouPorn antitrust case ICM Registry has hired new lawyers to help it fend off the antitrust lawsuit filed against it by YouPorn owner Manwin Licensing. http://domainincite.com/10279-icm-hires-fausett-to-help-with-youporn-antitrust-case Policy changes looming for co.za UniForum SA, trading as, the ZA Central Registry (ZACR) manages and administers the .co.za domain name space. Over the past two years the ZACR has taken steps to align its domain name registry operating system to international standards by implementing a registration system that is based on the Extensible Provision Protocol (EPP). http://www.itnewsafrica.com/2012/08/policy-changes-looming-for-co-za/ UniForum to hike .za domain fees UniForum SA, trading as the ZA Central Registry (ZACR), has proposed a shake-up to the popular .co.za domain space, including a 50% increase in annual fees payable by domain registrants. http://www.techcentral.co.za/uniforum-wants-co-za-fee-hike/34447/ za: SA domain names about to get pricier with tougher rules ... That?s why the decision by the ZA Central Registry (ZACR), manages and administers the .co.za domain name space, to change its guidelines to reflect international guidelines is probably a good thing. That standardisation does, however, come at a cost. http://memeburn.com/2012/08/sa-domain-names-about-to-get-pricier-with-tougher-rules/ ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** Melbourne IT Plans to Bring HARM to DC by Philip Corwin Melbourne IT?s involvement with ICANN dates back to 1999, when ICANN awarded it one of the first five registrar licenses to compete with the then-monopoly of Network Solutions Inc. in registering domain names under .com, .net and .org. http://internetcommerce.org/MIT_HARM Melbourne IT holding new gTLD trademarks summit Melbourne IT will hold a half-day conference on trademark protection in new gTLDs next month in Washington DC. http://domainincite.com/10272-melbourne-it-holding-new-gtld-trademarks-summit The .patagonia problem Argentina has escalated its complaint with ICANN about the new gTLD application for .patagonia. http://domainincite.com/10265-the-patagonia-problem New gTLD typo policy coming today? ICANN?s board-level new gTLD program committee may vote today on a policy for enabling new gTLD applicants to correct errors in their applications. http://domainincite.com/10260-new-gtld-typo-policy-coming-today Donuts, Inc., Applicant for the New gTLD .City Says Its Not Confusing Similar To .Citi In a comment posted on ICANN site today Donuts, Inc. which has applied for the new gTLD .City, weighted in on whether the new gTLD?s of .Citi and .City are similarly confusing. In Donuts opinion that they are not. http://www.thedomains.com/2012/08/29/donuts-inc-applicant-for-the-new-gtld-city-says-its-not-confusing-similar-to-citi/ The Trademark Clearinghouse: Secure, Reliable, Usable - Pick Any Two by Gavin Brown Earlier this week, technical and legal experts from ICANN, Deloitte and IBM met in Brussels with their counterparts from registrars and registry service providers representing as much as 90% of prospective gTLD registries, to discuss the technical implementation of the Trademark Clearinghouse, the database of rights holder information that will support the mandatory rights holder protection mechanisms for new gTLDs. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120828_trademark_clearinghouse_secure_reliable_usable_pick_any_two/ Comment: Retailers lead the charge in online domain applications On 13 June, the movers and shakers of the technology world came to a standstill as ICANN announced the much-anticipated list of the new gTLDs. http://www.retail-week.com/technology/comment-retailers-lead-the-charge-in-online-domain-applications/5039958.article Strong Support for IDNs, GEOs and/or Communities to Go First by Dirk Krischenowski ICANN's public comment period on how to resolve the contention scenario for probably 1,409 new gTLDs entering the root has closed on 19 August 2012. Alltogether 98 comments from parties around the globe have been received, representing language communities, cities, corporations, entrepreneurs and Internet users. In contrast to many comment periods we have participated in during the 7-year long policy development process for new gTLDs it seems that a clear opinion emerges from the applicants' community and other parties. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120829_strong_support_for_idns_geos_and_or_communities_to_go_first/ dot DO or dot DIE? by Naseem Javed ICANN has started dot name evaluations and charging ahead at their full speed. Mathematically it can be proven that any reasonable success of the current 1500 proposed dot names will result in tens of thousands of additional applications in the subsequent rounds. It is estimated that by the year 2020 there will be 10,000 dot names in operation and by 2025 the number would easily double. Such forecasts are not based on technological advances http://www.circleid.com/posts/dot_do_or_dot_die/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Feinstein Calls For Obama To Act on Cybersecurity With the Senate stalled on cybersecurity legislation, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., on Tuesday joined the chorus of voices calling for President Obama to issue an executive order to secure American networks. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/08/feinstein-calls-for-obama-to-a.php Connecting the Dots After Cyberattack on Saudi Aramco Publicly released details of a cyberattack on Saudi Aramco, the world?s largest oil producer, appear to confirm reports that critical data on three-quarters of the company?s PCs was replaced with the image of a burning American flag. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/27/connecting-the-dots-after-cyberattack-on-saudi-aramco/ Java exploit: security experts warn of malware flaw Security experts are warning people to disable Oracle's Java software in web browsers, following the discovery of a zero-day flaw that has already been used to break into computer systems and spread malware. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/29/java-exploit-security-malware-flaw?newsfeed=true EFF details DDoS protection done on the cheap Online rights group the Electronic Frontiers Foundation (EFF) has released a ?how to? guide to help bloggers, human rights groups and independent media mitigate the risks of a traffic flood. http://www.cso.com.au/article/434675/eff_details_ddos_protection_done_cheap/ How cybercriminals and hacktivists use DDoS tools to attack by Ted Swearingen, Director of Security, Neustar Network professionals know that distributed denial-of-service attacks are an ever-growing danger. The recent assault on Twitter is just the latest evidence. Using a mushrooming array of advanced tools, including pay-per-use services and mobile devices, attackers are taking down websites, DNS and email servers, often using these tools to destroy a company's online revenue, customer service and brand reputation. http://www.networkworld.com/news/tech/2012/082912-cybercrime-ddos-262024.html http://www.cio.com/article/715036/How_Cybercriminals_and_Hacktivists_Use_DDoS_Tools_to_Attack http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/434976/how_cybercriminals_hacktivists_use_ddos_tools_attach/ ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Legal Information Provider Misleads On Rising Domain Disputes Story Never let facts get in the way of a good story. Sweet & Maxwell have gone on the warpath against cybersquatters saying that disputes over cybersquatting are at record numbers. They use the figures put out by the World Intellectual Property Organisation, claiming that WIPO ?decided on nearly 3,000 cases in the 12 months to July 2012, the highest figure since 2007. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=18515 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/08/28/legal-information-provider-misleads-on-rising-domain-disputes-story/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/legal-information-provider-misleads-on-rising-domain-disputes-story.html Domain name disputes hit record high as brands defend virtual shop doorways Disputes over web domain ownership are expected to hit a record this year as the growing importance of online shopping triggers a wave of legal challenges from owners of famous brands. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/28/domain-name-disputes-brands-cybersquatters Oops! Copyright Cops Return Seized RojaDirecta Domain Names ? 19 Months Later One of Spain?s most popular websites, whose American domains were seized in January 2011 as part of a crackdown on internet piracy, is getting its domains returned 19 months later, as the U.S. government voluntarily dropped its claim Wednesday. http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/08/domain-names-returned/ us: Government admits defeat, gives back seized Rojadirecta domains In 2011, the US government grabbed two domains, one .com and one .org, belonging to Spanish sports-TV "linking site" Rojadirecta, claiming that the site was a flagrant enabler of copyright infringement. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/08/government-goes-0-2-admits-defeat-in-rojadirecta-domain-forfeit-case/ US government dismisses piracy case against Rojadirecta site The U.S government dismissed its case against Spanish website Rojadirecta on Wednesday, handing a victory to critics of a controversial government effort to crack down on piracy. http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/246529-us-government-dismisses-case-against-rojadirecta NEW DOMAIN NAME DISPUTE STUDY: 7 Select Panellists Decide Nearly Half of All Cases DNattorney.com's new study of domain name dispute decisions again shows that procedural reform of ICANN's UDRP is urgently needed. Decision making is apparently being concentrated amongst a handful of select American panelists who decide a vastly disproportionate number of international cases, thereby potentially affecting outcomes and creating an appearance of injustice. http://dnattorney.com/NAFdomainnamedisputestudy2012.shtml New Study: Nearly 50% Of All UDRP Cases Decided By NAF Are Decided By 7 Panelists A new study comissioned by attorney Zak Muscovitch shows that of all the UDRP cases decided by the National Arbitration Forum one of the two organizations that decide almost all UDRP cases, 7 panelist account for 50% of the decisions. http://www.thedomains.com/2012/08/28/new-study-nearly-50-of-all-udrp-cases-decided-by-naf-are-decided-by-7-panelists/ National Arbitration Forum continues to hand majority of cases to select panelists Zak Muscovitch has updated his National Arbitration Forum (NAF) panelist study originally released in 2010. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/08/28/national-arbitration-forum-continues-to-hand-majority-of-cases-to-select-panelists/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** nz: Survey reveals shift in focus to IPv6 adoption Local awareness and adoption of IPv6 ? the ?next generation? Internet addressing schema ? appears to be maturing, with a recent survey by the IPv6 Task Force indicating an increase in the number of New Zealand organisations planning to implement the protocol. http://www.ipv6.org.nz/2012/08/29/survey-reveals-shift-in-focus-to-ipv6-adoption/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Problems With Defining Jurisdiction on the Internet by David Maher The term "jurisdiction" has various definitions in law, but for our purposes here we can say it is the power of some legal body to exercise its authority over a person or subject matter or territory. In the Internet today, it is territory that gives rise to many major issues. As in real estate, what matters in jurisdiction is "location, location, location". When the Internet and trademark rights began to intersect, it quickly became apparent that traditional concepts of the jurisdiction of courts and legislatures would be seriously strained by situations where a registrant in one country could use a registrar in a second country to register a domain name in yet a third country. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120827_problems_with_defining_jurisdiction_on_the_internet/ ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** What?s In A Name? $1M, If You?re Called MobileApps.com. And At Least One Big Fish May Bite, Says CEO The market for mobile apps is booming ? but not, it seems, for MobileApps.com, one of the many app aggregating marketplaces that have been set up in the last several years to ride that wave. http://techcrunch.com/2012/08/27/whats-in-a-name-1m-if-youre-called-mobileapps-com-and-at-least-one-big-fish-may-bite-says-ceo/ Young Cambridge man is Ryan 'domain-ator' For Matt McKnight, it was a well-timed move. "I bought up a few domains centered around Paul Ryan, the vice presidential candidate, right after the news leaked that he was going to be Romney's running mate," he said. "I just basically secured the domain names." http://www.daily-jeff.com/local%20news/2012/08/27/young-cambridge-man-is-ryan-domain-ator Do automated appraisals work? It?s one of the great debates in the domain name industry: do automated domain name appraisals work? Are any domain appraisals (even from humans) accurate? http://domainnamewire.com/2012/08/29/do-automated-appraisals-work/ Google Launches? Better Local Targetting Options For AdWords? According to a post on Google Adwords site yesterday, Google recently changed its metro targeting areas to Nielsen DMA (Designated Market Areas) regions. http://www.thedomains.com/2012/08/29/google-launches-better-local-targetting-options-for-adwords/ ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Internet addiction fueled by gene mutation, scientists say A variation in one gene, CHRNA4, is more prevalent among those who are addicted to being online than those who are not -- and is in fact significantly more common in women, say researchers. http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57502901-76/internet-addiction-fueled-by-gene-mutation-scientists-say/ How Google and Apple's digital mapping is mapping us Digital maps on smartphones are brilliantly useful tools, but what sort of information do they gather about us ? and how do they shape the way we look at the world? http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/28/google-apple-digital-mapping ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* The worst job at Google: hunting for child porn, beheading videos "Bestiality, necrophilia...body mutilations... explicit fetishes (like diaper porn)" are just a few of the things a Google employee saw while monitoring the company's products for unsavory content, according to a piece at BuzzFeed FWD. The employee says Google usually hires contractors to those positions, so workers are offered no benefits or emotional support to unwind from the twisted sights wrought by the Internet. http://arstechnica.com/business/2012/08/the-worst-job-at-google-hunting-for-child-porn-beheading-videos/ Are you a victim of cyberbullying? Speak up and get help She kept a blog when she was 14, but soon discovered an identical one online - but with defaced photos of her and warped versions of her posts. http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20120830-368493.html nz: Child pornography offences increased, updated for new technology [news release] Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced Government plans to increase maximum penalties for child pornography offences and to future-proof laws against advances in technology. http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/child-pornography-offences-increased-updated-new-technology nz: Prison for online grooming proposed [AAP] Paedophiles who use the internet to groom children will face three years in jail under a proposed law. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/7566499/Prison-for-online-grooming-proposed http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/new-zealand-gets-tough-on-child-porn/story-e6frf7k6-1226459914896 nz: New rules aim to tame the web OPINION: Recently the Law Commission delivered its final briefing paper on harmful digital communications - what originating minister Simon Powers described as a way to regulate the wild west of the web. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/7576455/New-rules-aim-to-tame-the-web nz: Govt taking tougher stance on child pornography The Government is increasing the maximum penalties for child pornography offences. http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbnat/8268818-govt-taking-tougher-stance-on-child-pornography nz: Govt to crack down on child exploitation People creating or distributing child exploitation images will face a maximum 14 years in jail, under new proposals announced by the Government which will also target 'groomers'. http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/govt-crack-down-child-exploitation-5049641 nz: Collins toughens child porn laws Justice Minister Judith Collins has announced tough new laws to combat child pornography. http://www.3news.co.nz/Collins-toughens-child-porn-laws/tabid/1607/articleID/267138/Default.aspx nz: Govt to clamp down on child porn offences People who watch child pornography on the internet will face new penalties under a law change the Government is planning. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/114446/govt-to-clamp-down-on-child-porn-offences au: Make kids get phone licence, says expert NSW schools should introduce a licence for students before they can use mobile phones and tablets at school, says the adolescent psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/make-kids-get-phone-licence-says-expert-20120827-24ws5.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/make-kids-get-phone-licence-says-expert-20120827-24ws5.html au: Telstra Foundation pumps $8m into cyber safety education A six-year, $8 million program designed to improve cyber safety amongst Australian consumers has been launched by the Telstra Foundation and The Alannah and Madeline Foundation. http://www.techworld.com.au/article/434822/telstra_foundation_pumps_8m_into_cyber_safety_education/ Telstra Foundation commits 8 million dollars to cyber safety partnership with The Alannah and Madeline Foundation [news release] The Hon. Julia Gillard MP, Prime Minister of Australia, today launched an $8million, multi-year partnership between the Telstra Foundation and The Alannah and Madeline Foundation to develop and deliver eSmart Libraries across Australia - one of the most significant community cybersafety programs ever undertaken in Australia. http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media-centre/announcements/telstra-foundation-commits-8-million-dollars-to-cyber-safety-partnership au: New chapter opens on library cyber safety Telstra has launched a new program designed to improve cyber safety in regional Western Australian libraries. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-30/new-chapter-to-open-on-library-cyber-safety/4232950 Australia's Next Top Model host Charlotte Dawson in hospital after Twitter attack TV host Charlotte Dawson is in hospital after hundreds of social media trolls viciously targeted her on Twitter overnight. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/charlotte-dawson-in-hospital-after-twitter-attack/story-e6freuy9-1226461554600 Charlotte Dawson in cyber-bullying battle Charlotte Dawson has accused another expatriate New Zealander of cyber-bullying by sending her and a follower abusive tweets. http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=153253&cat=1032&fm=newsmain%2Cnarts Charlotte Dawson hospitalised after troll war Expat New Zealand TV presenter Charlotte Dawson is in hospital after waging a war against internet "trolls". http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10830456 People who watch violent television more likely to be aggressive Parents warned to keep an eye on what their children are watching, as research finds people who watch violent television, films or video games are more likely to be aggressive. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/9505755/People-who-watch-violent-television-more-likely-to-be-aggressive.html ********************** ONLINE PIRACY, TV & MUSIC ********************** UKNova made to halt television and radio torrent links UKNova has stopped offering BitTorrent links after becoming the latest file-sharing site to be targeted by copyright defenders. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19401429 ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Google reacts to Apple's US patent victory over Samsung Google has said that it does not want the ruling in the Apple-Samsung patent lawsuit to "limit" consumers' access to Android devices. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19389732 Samsung wants Galaxy Tab ban lifted in the US after Apple patent verdict [IDG] Samsung Electronics asked a Californian court on Sunday to lift a preliminary ban on sales of its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the U.S., after a jury found that Samsung does not infringe on an Apple design patent. Samsung also said it wants Apple to pay damages for lost sales. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9230621/Samsung_wants_Galaxy_Tab_ban_lifted_in_the_US_after_Apple_patent_verdict Samsung Case Puts Apple Closer to Google Fight Steven P. Jobs minced no words when talking about Android, Google?s mobile operating system, which he saw as too similar to the iPhone?s. He told his biographer, Walter Isaacson, that Android was ?a stolen product? and said, ?I?m willing to go thermonuclear war on this.? http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/28/technology/samsung-case-puts-apple-closer-to-fight-with-google.html Judge sets December hearing on Apple injunction vs Samsung A U.S. judge on Tuesday set a December 6 court date to hear Apple Inc's request for a permanent injunction against Samsung Electronics' smartphones, which could delay the potential impact of Apple's crushing legal victory. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/08/29/uk-apple-samsung-injunction-idUKBRE87S01A20120829 Smartphones Selling Faster Globally Than Expected Smartphones are selling faster than previously predicted by IHS iSuppli and will make up more than half of global cell phone shipments next year. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9230693/Smartphones_selling_faster_globally_than_expected http://www.cio.com/article/714969/Smartphones_Selling_Faster_Globally_Than_Expected ********************** SECURITY ********************** Feinstein Calls For Obama To Act on Cybersecurity With the Senate stalled on cybersecurity legislation, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., on Tuesday joined the chorus of voices calling for President Obama to issue an executive order to secure American networks. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/08/feinstein-calls-for-obama-to-a.php Connecting the Dots After Cyberattack on Saudi Aramco Publicly released details of a cyberattack on Saudi Aramco, the world?s largest oil producer, appear to confirm reports that critical data on three-quarters of the company?s PCs was replaced with the image of a burning American flag. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/27/connecting-the-dots-after-cyberattack-on-saudi-aramco/ Java exploit: security experts warn of malware flaw Security experts are warning people to disable Oracle's Java software in web browsers, following the discovery of a zero-day flaw that has already been used to break into computer systems and spread malware. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/29/java-exploit-security-malware-flaw?newsfeed=true EFF details DDoS protection done on the cheap Online rights group the Electronic Frontiers Foundation (EFF) has released a ?how to? guide to help bloggers, human rights groups and independent media mitigate the risks of a traffic flood. http://www.cso.com.au/article/434675/eff_details_ddos_protection_done_cheap/ How cybercriminals and hacktivists use DDoS tools to attack by Ted Swearingen, Director of Security, Neustar Network professionals know that distributed denial-of-service attacks are an ever-growing danger. The recent assault on Twitter is just the latest evidence. Using a mushrooming array of advanced tools, including pay-per-use services and mobile devices, attackers are taking down websites, DNS and email servers, often using these tools to destroy a company's online revenue, customer service and brand reputation. http://www.networkworld.com/news/tech/2012/082912-cybercrime-ddos-262024.html http://www.cio.com/article/715036/How_Cybercriminals_and_Hacktivists_Use_DDoS_Tools_to_Attack http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/434976/how_cybercriminals_hacktivists_use_ddos_tools_attach/ ********************** PRIVACY ********************** us: Stakeholders Continue Slog on Mobile App Privacy After their third meeting Wednesday, industry, privacy advocates and other stakeholders made little headway in actually developing an industry code of conduct for mobile applications but may be making some progress in finding ways to work together. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/08/stakeholders-continue-slog-on.php us: Judge Allows Challenge to Google Privacy Penalty A federal judge has allowed a public interest group to challenge a $22.5 million fine Google agreed to pay earlier this month to settle allegations that it violated a consent decree it reached last year with the Federal Trade Commission related to violations of its privacy policies. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/08/judge-allows-challenge-to-goog.php ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Big Brother on a budget: How Internet surveillance got so cheap When Libyan rebels finally wrested control of the country last year away from its mercurial dictator, they discovered the Qaddafi regime had received an unusual gift from its allies: foreign firms had supplied technology that allowed security forces to track nearly all of the online activities of the country?s 100,000 Internet users. That technology, supplied by a subsidiary of the French IT firm Bull, used a technique called deep packet inspection (DPI) to capture e-mails, chat messages, and Web visits of Libyan citizens. http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/08/big-brother-meets-big-data-the-next-wave-in-net-surveillance-tech/ ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** us: Civil Rights Groups Warn Secret Copyright Treaty Might Add Liability Risks for ISPs [IDG] Civil rights groups have published a letter opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement because a leaked draft version of the treaty indicates that it could add liability risks for ISPs and impose limitations on fundamental human rights. http://www.cio.com/article/715031/Civil_Rights_Groups_Warn_Secret_Copyright_Treaty_Might_Add_Liability_Risks_for_ISPs German Cabinet Backs Law That Could Allow News Publishers to Sue Google [IDG] The German cabinet gave its backing Wednesday to a draft law extending copyright protection to snippets of news articles republished by search engines, although proposals to make bloggers pay to quote articles they comment on have been dropped. Google said it was a bad day for the Internet in Germany. http://www.cio.com/article/715016/German_Cabinet_Backs_Law_That_Could_Allow_News_Publishers_to_Sue_Google http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/434958/german_cabinet_backs_law_could_allow_news_publishers_sue_google/ http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/261585/german_cabinet_backs_law_that_could_allow_news_publishers_to_sue_google.html The Australian Govt's rush to snoop To the Australian Government's credit, it has called for public submissions and an inquiry before implementing changes to existing national security legislation. Through that process, it has found few supporters, except for the government authorities seeking more powers through the changes. http://www.zdnet.com/au/the-australian-govts-rush-to-snoop-7000003461/ au: Data retention could cost over $500m: Comms Alliance, AMTA A joint submission by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) and the Communications Alliance has detailed data retention reforms could cost the industry over half a billion dollars. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/434911/data_retention_could_cost_over_500m_comms_alliance_amta/ au: ?Insufficient evidence?: Telcos pan surveillance reforms A number of major telecommunications companies including iiNet and Macquarie Telecom, as well as telco and ISP representative industry groups, have expressed sharp concern over the Federal Government?s proposed package of surveillance and data retention reforms, stating that ?insufficient evidence? had been presented to justify them. http://delimiter.com.au/2012/08/29/insufficient-evidence-telcos-pan-surveillance-reforms/ au: Proposed data retention laws likened to police state: Bendall Acting Victorian Privacy Commissioner, Anthony Bendall, has slammed the federal government?s proposed two-year Web and telecommunications data retention laws as ?characteristic of a police state?. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/434909/proposed_data_retention_laws_likened_police_state_bendall_/ au: Internet data tracking proposal seen as 'a police state' Proposed laws that would allow the web and telecommunications data of all Australians to be stored for two years have been dubbed ''characteristic of a police state''. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/internet-data-tracking-proposal-seen-as-a-police-state-20120828-24yvn.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/internet-data-tracking-proposal-seen-as-a-police-state-20120828-24yvn.html http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/technology-news/internet-data-tracking-proposal-seen-as-a-police-state-20120828-24yvn.html nz: Editorial: Fewer govt reports, more action please ... 1: Pass the patents bill now, politicians keep telling us they want to, (see InternetNZ's ICT political party debate last year). http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/editorial-less-govt-reports-more-action-please ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Faster, more dynamic internet edging closer? The internet routes around damage. So how can ISPs take advantage of its underlying technologies to deliver a faster, more reliable net? http://www.zdnet.com/faster-more-dynamic-internet-edging-closer-7000003354/ Mashable: ?Smart content delivery is the greatest challenge? Robyn Peterson, Chief Technology Officer at tech news website Mashable, on the need for publishers to invest in smarter content delivery. http://www.iptv-news.com/2012/08/mashable-smart-content-delivery-is-the-greatest-challenge/ InternetNZ: white space viable for rural broadband New Zealand internet advocacy group InternetNZ has published a report on using "white space" to get high-speed broadband out into rural and remote New Zealand communities. http://www.telecompaper.com/news/internetnz-white-space-viable-for-rural-broadband nz: ?White space? viable for Hawke's Bay rural broadband A just-published report on radio spectrum ?white space? has found that the technology is a viable alternative for getting high-speed broadband out into rural and remote New Zealand communities. http://www.hawkesbay.co.nz/general-stories-page:/51501-white-space-viable-for-hawkes-bay-rural-broadband-.html au: Telstra expands 4G network Telstra has revealed plans to expand 4G technology in its mobile network - dubbed the ''crown jewel'' by analysts - to cover 60 per cent of the population by mid-2013. http://www.theage.com.au/business/telstra-expands-4g-network-20120828-24yp4.html ------ David Goldstein email: david at goldsteinreport.com web: http://goldsteinreport.com/ http://davidgoldstein.tel/ 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 Thu Aug 30 2012 - 05:32:51 UTC
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