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 *************************************************** New gTLD Update for Applicants (27 August 2012) http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-27aug12-en Why .com still doesn?t have a thick Whois http://domainincite.com/10300-why-com-still-doesnt-have-a-thick-whois The bloke in charge of .au http://www.itwire.com/features/browse/profiler/56416-the-bloke-in-charge-of-au .au domain registrations pass 2.5 million http://www.auda.org.au/news-archive/auda-28082012/ Security standard for Australian registrars "onerous" http://news.dot-nxt.com/content/auda-security-standard-registr Summary of TMCH Meeting by Jeff Neuman, Vice President of Business Affairs, Neustar, Inc. http://www.dotyou.biz/summary-of-tmch-meeting/ A closer look at the new gTLD evaluation program by Stephane Van Gelder http://www.netnames.com/blog/2012/08/a-closer-look-at-the-new-gtld-evaluation-program/ 10 Differences Between WIPO and NAF http://isenbergondomains.com/2012/08/30/10-differences-between-wipo-and-naf/ The first study of the emerging market for IPv4 numbers http://www.internetgovernance.org/2012/08/31/the-first-study-of-the-emerging-market-for-ipv4-numbers/ ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Sleepers and strange bedfellows iPolitics Insight ?Sleepers? are not just Le Carre-like foreign spies hiding in our midst. They are also political issues where the potential consequences of things going wrong are seriously underestimated beforehand. ?Strange bedfellows? occur when political actors with very different values, opportunistically but perhaps not happily, end up as tactical allies, at least temporarily. A complex cast of strange bedfellows is currently preparing to ?go to the mattresses? (as in The Godfather) at meetings that will take place in Dubai from December 3-14. One hundred and ninety-three states represented in some cases by heads of government will negotiate amendments to the International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs) administered by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). http://www.ipolitics.ca/2012/08/31/sleepers-and-strange-bedfellows/ US Republicans Back 'Internet Freedom' [IDG] The U.S. Republican Party has approved a policy statement that focuses on removing regulations and protects personal data on the Internet. http://www.pcworld.com/article/261590/us_republicans_back_internet_freedom.html ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** New gTLD Update for Applicants (27 August 2012) We have additional updates for applicants this week: Applicant Update Webinar - The next Applicant Update Webinar is scheduled for Thursday, 6 September at 12:00 UTC. Topics will include status on Initial Evaluation, an update on batching/metering options, information on application comments, and new gTLD sessions we are planning for Toronto among other things. http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-27aug12-en New gTLD Video Update: Application Comments, Objections, and Program Feedback | 29 Aug 2012 Michele Jourdan, Manager of New gTLD Communications at ICANN talks about the three different ways you can provide feedback on a specific applied-for new gTLD string or on the overall program. Application Comments, Objections, and Program Feedback. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDwYkB4r9oc ICANN 2012 Nominating Committee Announces Selections The 2012 ICANN Nominating Committee (NomCom) has completed its selections for seven leadership positions within ICANN. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-30aug12-en.htm Period of 30 August ? 09 September 2012: Public Comment Periods Recently Opened and Approaching Closing Date The Following Public Comment periods are Recently Opened or are approaching their Comment or Reply Period Close dates between 30 August ? 09 September 2012. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-30aug12-en.htm Why .com still doesn?t have a thick Whois ICANN?s board of directors quizzed staff about the lack of a ?thick? Whois obligation in Verisign?s .com contract, according to meeting minutes released last night. http://domainincite.com/10300-why-com-still-doesnt-have-a-thick-whois ICANN Goes To Durban in July 2013 ICANN announced this week it will be holding its second meeting for 2013, and 47th all told, in Durban, South Africa. It will be the second time the organisation has held a meeting in South Africa, with Cape Town being the venue for the 21st meeting in December 2004. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=18539 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/08/31/icann-durban-july-2013/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/icann-goes-to-durban-in-july-2013.html ICANN 47 Confirmed For Durban South Africa ICANN?s 47th public meeting will take place in Durban, South Africa from 14th to 19th July 2013. http://www.internetnews.me/2012/08/31/icann-47-confirmed-for-durban-south-africa/ ICANN to return to South Africa in 2013 The location of ICANN?s second meeting in 2013 has been revealed as Durban, South Africa. http://domainincite.com/10297-icann-to-return-to-south-africa-in-2013 Satellite policy expert named ICANN director ICANN has named Olga Madruga-Forti, an Argentinian telecoms policy expert, as the newest member of its board of directors. http://domainincite.com/10291-satellite-policy-expert-named-icann-director ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** The bloke in charge of .au Chris Disspain is the bloke in charge of the .au domain. It?s his job to make sure that when you search flowers.com.au you?re likely to find a business based in Australia that has something to do with flowers. Not all countries manage that, but in Australia it pretty much; ?does what it says on the tin,? says Disspain. http://www.itwire.com/features/browse/profiler/56416-the-bloke-in-charge-of-au .au domain registrations pass 2.5 million The latest figures released by auDA and AusRegistry show continued growth in registration numbers has pushed the total number of .au domain names over 2.5 million. http://www.auda.org.au/news-archive/auda-28082012/ Security standard for Australian registrars "onerous" A proposal to create a new security standard - among a raft of other certification standards - for companies that wish to sell dot-au domains has been criticized as "onerous". http://news.dot-nxt.com/content/auda-security-standard-registr Guest post by Paul Andersen: Results of CIRA?s Outreach on Governance In this post, Paul Andersen, Chair of the CIRA Board of Directors, discusses the findings of the recent outreach on changes to CIRA?s governance structure and processes. http://blog.cira.ca/2012/08/guest-post-by-paul-andersen-results-of-ciras-outreach-on-governance/ Guest post by John Demco: 25 years of .CA In this post John Demco, a CIRA Board of Directors member and known to many as Canada?s ?godfather? of the Internet, discusses the first 25 years of .CA. http://blog.cira.ca/2012/07/guest-post-by-john-demco-25-years-of-ca/ Notification of Launching the Registration Service for ASCII.?? Domain Names On May 28, 2012, CNNIC Published Notification of Adjustment on .CN Domain Name Registration Service. In accordance with the second article of the Announcement, namely ?the standalone TLD ?.??? will starts from October 29, 2012, have reference to the naming rules of ?.CN? domain name and other TLDs. http://www1.cnnic.cn/html/Dir/2012/08/29/6056.htm is: VID (Very Important Domains) ISNIC is always evolving the registration of .is domains. A very important change, which is designed to increase the security of .is domains further, is being planned. This includes being able to mark domains as "very important domains", or VID. http://www.isnic.is/en/news/index.php Icelandic Registry To Introduce ?Very Important Domains? The Icelandic registry (.is) plans on introducing extra levels of protection to some domains and their registrants. http://www.internetnews.me/2012/08/28/icelandic-registry-to-introduce-very-important-domains/ VIDs Coming For .IS Domains You?ve heard of VIPs (Very Important Persons). Now ISNIC, the registry for .IS domain names, has launched VIDs, or Very Important Domains! http://www.domainnews.com/en/vids-coming-for-is-domains.html http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/09/01/vids-coming-for-is-domains/ Honduran ccTLD Switching to CoCCA The .hn (Honduras) ccTLD is switching to CoCCA from Afilias in October. >From October 1st all .hn domain names will be on the CoCCA platform. http://www.internetnews.me/2012/08/28/honduran-cctld-switching-to-cocca/ Considering Existing gTLDs: The .museum Top-Level Domain's Potential by Jean Guillon We keep talking about new gTLDs but, what about those gTLDs which already exist and which no one talks about anymore? ...I am also familiar with the existing speech which says: "Check the .museum : it is the example why new gTLDs won't work". I think it has nothing to do with the fact that new gTLDs will or will not work. I strongly believe .museum has potential and I also think the actual situation of the .museum can change. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120831_the_museum_top_level_domains_potential/ 32 Days to Launch Registration Local Phase .SX On September 22, 2012, SX Registry will officially launch the local Sint Maarten Priority Phase. This phase will be launched in two timeframes. The first timeframe is for companies only and will launch on September 22nd until Oct 6th. http://www.registry.sx/news/ ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** Growing maze of domain name protection A next generation Online land grab has commenced with the US Internet Corporation for assigned domain name registration. This is deliberating over applications for new Internet domains, but businesses are already starting to count the costs of Cyber property prospecting. ICANN, which is the co-coordinator of the domain name registration system and manages generic and ccTLDs, is evaluating 1927 applications for new gTLDs. http://open.salon.com/blog/adolfina/2012/08/30/growing_maze_of_domain_name_protection Summary of TMCH Meeting by Jeff Neuman, Vice President of Business Affairs, Neustar, Inc. Highlights: meeting attended by front-end or back-end registries representing 90% of the ICANN new gTLD applications, ICANN Agreement with Clearinghouse providers will be made public, but needs amending to include SLAs, fees, etc., Front end system for trademark owners to begin entering trademark data is scheduled to begin in October... http://www.dotyou.biz/summary-of-tmch-meeting/ Religious groups vie for new Web domain names Centuries-old theological disputes have broken out in cyberspace as religions aim to influence the future presentation of faith on the Internet. http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/08/31/internet-religion-names-idINL6E8JV2VA20120831 The Internet battle for .bible How will faith be presented on the Internet? Recent moves by the ruling body that oversees the Internet have allowed for the most dramatic expansion in the Internet since it was created: an almost limitless number of TLDs are now possible, to join the classics such as .com, .edu and .net. http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/08/31/internet-battle-for-bible/ A closer look at the new gTLD evaluation program by Stephane Van Gelder A few days before July 12 of this year, ICANN began evaluating those applications out of the original 1930 received that haven?t since been withdrawn, i.e. all 1924 of them. http://www.netnames.com/blog/2012/08/a-closer-look-at-the-new-gtld-evaluation-program/ .NYC: It?s up to you New York, New York ... New York City is also a city that enjoys a natural three letter anagram, NYC. If I was being pedantic I would say NY is the anagram for the State of New York, but people use NY and NYC interchangeably I guess. Which leads me on to the new gTLDs and the City?s application for .nyc. http://www.netnames.com/blog/2012/08/nyc-it?s-up-to-you-new-york-new-york/ Considering Existing gTLDs: The .museum Top-Level Domain's Potential by Jean Guillon We keep talking about new gTLDs but, what about those gTLDs which already exist and which no one talks about anymore? ... I am also familiar with the existing speech which says: "Check the .museum : it is the example why new gTLDs won't work". I think it has nothing to do with the fact that new gTLDs will or will not work. I strongly believe .museum has potential and I also think the actual situation of the .museum can change. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120831_the_museum_top_level_domains_potential/ Increasing Internet Penetration and Expected Launch of New TLDs Drive the Global Domain Name Registrations, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on the Domain Names markets. Number of Domain Names registration worldwide is projected to exceed 305 million by 2018. Apart from launch of new TLDs and approval for new Internationalized Domain Names by ICANN, growing Internet penetration, online advertising, and e-commerce transactions are expected to contribute to growth in number of domain name registrations in the future. http://news.yahoo.com/increasing-internet-penetration-expected-launch-tlds-drive-global-102640933.html http://www.strategyr.com/ http://www.strategyr.com/Domain_Names_Market_Report.asp IARU Supports Proposal for a .radio Domain Name: The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) has expressed public support for a .radio TLD. http://www.eham.net/articles/28894 Get the Website You?ve Always Wanted: The new gTLDs Bring Back the 90s You may remember a decade when the economy rolled and opportunity smelled like teen spirit. It was the 90s, a time when the Internet was new and fresh and you could get venture capital just by breathing. http://www.name.com/blog/ntlds/2012/08/get-the-website-youve-always-wanted-the-new-gtlds-bring-back-the-90s/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** 30 new top cyber security advisors appointed to the EU Agency ENISA?s Permanent Stakeholders? Group [news release] A new composition of 30 top IT-security experts have started their term of office as members of ENISA?s Permanent Stakeholders? Group (PSG). The PSG will give top IT security advice to the EU?s ?cyber security? Agency ENISA, the European Network and Information Security Agency. The PSG is a group of leading IT-security experts that gives advice to the Agency?s Executive Director in, for example, drawing up a proposal for the Agency's annual Work Programme. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/30-new-top-cyber-security-advisors-appointed-to-the-eu-agency-enisas-permanent-stakeholders-group State-sponsored cyber espionage projects now prevalent, say experts At least four government-sponsored programmes to deploy cyber-espionage software like the Flame, Duqu and Stuxnet software ? the latter used against computers in Iran ? are in progress around the world, according to sources in the intelligence and computer communities. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/30/state-sponsored-cyber-espionage-prevalent Will cyberattacks define the future of war? Is the future of warfare going to be fought by soldiers using bullets, bombs and missiles -- or by computer geeks hunched over a laptop? http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/083012-will-cyberattacks-define-the-future-262055.html How Cybercriminals and Hacktivists Use DDoS Tools to Attack Network professionals know that distributed denial-of-service attacks are an ever-growing danger. The recent assault on Twitter is just the latest evidence. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/261618/how_cybercriminals_and_hacktivists_use_ddos_tools_to_attack.html How cybercriminals and hacktivists use DDoS tools to attack 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. But the technology is only half the story. The thinking that shapes attacks an evolving blend of careful planning, probing and improvisation is often the difference between duds and strikes that leave victims begging for mercy. http://features.techworld.com/security/3378864/how-cybercriminals-hacktivists-use-ddos-tools-attack/ Bungling Cyber Spy Stalks Iran: Government departments, banks, and companies that operate critical infrastructure have fallen victim to badly crafted malware known as Mahdi Over the past two years, governments in the Middle East have been targeted by sophisticated spying software, apparently created by world-class researchers whom unknown nation-states are paying to target sensitive data and infrastructure. Yet the latest piece of malware successfully spying on banks, government departments, and companies in Iran and nearby countries is almost laughably amateur. Experts believe that the software, called Mahdi, may have been created by activists. This possibility suggests that the United States and other governments fretting about their vulnerability to cyberwar may need to worry about more than just other nations. http://www.technologyreview.com/news/429046/bungling-cyber-spy-stalks-iran/ ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** 10 Differences Between WIPO and NAF I?m frequently asked how to decide where a UDRP complaint should be filed. With four providers to choose from, the decision is not always clear. However, for various reasons, about 97% of all UDRP complaints through the years have been filed at the World Intellectual Property Organization (53%) or the National Arbitration Forum (44%), so the question I am most often asked is, ?What?s the difference between WIPO and the NAF?? http://isenbergondomains.com/2012/08/30/10-differences-between-wipo-and-naf/ WIPO Advanced Workshop on Domain Name Dispute Resolution: Update on Precedent and Practice - WIPO, Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday and Wednesday, October 23 and 24, 2012 Overview: The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center is internationally recognized as the leading institution in the resolution of Internet domain name disputes. Since December 1999, the WIPO Center has administered over 39,000 proceedings, of which over 22,000 under the WIPO-initiated UDRP adopted by ICANN. http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/events/workshops/2012/domainname/ Craigslist Plays the Waiting Game?and Loses Craigslist, the popular U.S.-based classified host site, recently filed a UDRP complaint against Craig Solomon Online Services over the domain name Craigslists.com. The three-person National Arbitration Forum (NAF) Panel denied the complaint on a number of grounds in a case that should serve as a lesson to all brand owners. http://www.domainnamestrategy.com/2012/08/27/craigslist-plays-waiting-game-and-loses UDRP cybersquatting complaints increase in first half of 2012 The number of cybersquatting complaints filed in the first half of 2012 was up 9% compared to the first half of 2011. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/08/30/udrp-cybersquatting-complaints-increase-in-first-half-of-2012/ Where do most cybersquatters live? World Intellectual Property Organization, unlike its big peer, publishes robust statistics about the UDRP cases it hears. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/08/30/where-do-most-cybersquatters-live/ If Your Using Enom?s ?Whois Privacy Protection Service, Inc./Whois Agent,? UDRP Panels Says Your A Serial Cybersquatter In a one member panel decision on a the domain name staybrutal.com the UDRP panel found the registrant was a serial cybersquatter. http://www.thedomains.com/2012/08/30/if-your-using-enoms-whois-privacy-protection-service-inc-whois-agent-udrp-panels-says-your-a-serial-cyber-squatter/ 9 Seized Gambling Domains Are Put Up For Sale Including Bookmaker.com TruePoker.com & DoylesRoom.com Nine domain names that were previously seized by the US Government?s Homeland Security Department have been put up for sale or license. http://www.thedomains.com/2012/09/02/9-seized-gambling-domains-are-released-for-sale-including-bookmaker-com-truepoker-com-doylesroom-com/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** The first study of the emerging market for IPv4 numbers Today IGP releases its study of the market for IPv4 number blocks. It is the first independent academic analysis of an emerging market in number resources. The commoditization of IP addresses is likely to have a major impact on the governance of the Internet. http://www.internetgovernance.org/2012/08/31/the-first-study-of-the-emerging-market-for-ipv4-numbers/ Depletion of IPv4 Addresses and Explosive Growth in Mobile Wireless Communication Devices Drives the IPv6 Market, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) markets. The global market for IPv6 capable devices is projected to reach 18.1 billion units by 2018, primarily driven by steady migration to the IPv6 protocol against a backdrop of rapidly depleting IPv4 addresses. Exponential growth in the mobile wireless communication sector is also helping spur growth by bringing in newer devices to access Internet. http://www.strategyr.com/PressMCP-7760.asp ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** RIPE NCC Draft Activity Plan & Budget and Charging Scheme Options The following supporting documents for the RIPE NCC General Meeting (GM) September 2012 are published: http://www.ripe.net/internet-coordination/news/announcements/draft-activity-plan-budget-and-charging-scheme-options Open standards sought for global smart grid - IEEE, others, back principles for standards development A coordinated effort to recognize de facto, market-driven standards and raise the visibility of the principles that drive them launched today. The effort is branded as OpenStand Principles and is backed by global players in the standards arena, including the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). http://www.intelligentutility.com/article/12/08/open-standards-sought-global-smart-grid Leading Global Standards Organizations Endorse ?OpenStand? Principles that Drive Innovation and Borderless Commerce [news release] Five leading global organizations ? IEEE, Internet Architecture Board (IAB), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), Internet Society and World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)?today announced that they have signed a statement affirming the importance of a jointly developed set of principles establishing a modern paradigm for global, open standards. The shared ?OpenStand? principles?based on the effective and efficient standardization processes that have made the Internet and Web the premiere platforms for innovation and borderless commerce?are proven in their ability to foster competition and cooperation, support innovation and interoperability and drive market success. http://open-stand.org/openstandlaunch/ ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Internet addiction is real, German researchers say Internet addiction is real, researchers in Germany say, and they?ve found a genetic variation that might have something to do with it. The study in question, carried out by the University of Bonn and Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim, is published in the September 2012 Journal of Medical Addiction. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/german-researchers-find-possible-internet-addiction-gene/2012/08/31/681f1724-f37a-11e1-b74c-84ed55e0300b_story.html Rural India Web population to reach 45M by end-2012 The number of users in rural India who have accessed the Internet at least once in their lifetime is expected to grow to 45 million by the end of 2012. http://www.zdnet.com/in/rural-india-web-population-to-reach-45m-by-end-2012-7000003533/ 'Suicide websites' linked to rise in drug-related deaths Helium and barbiturates, two drugs increasingly used to commit suicide, contributed to more deaths than ecstasy, cannabis and GHB last year. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/suicide-websites-linked-to-rise-in-drugrelated-deaths-8092823.html EBay's Old Black Magic Will Become a Thing of the Past - Seers Didn't Anticipate That the Site Would Cast This Hex on Them Tabetha Berry has sold psychic readings for much of her adult life. But there is one thing she didn't see coming: the death of her cash cow. Since 2010, the 50-year-old resident of Santa Clarita, Calif., has made 80% of her annual income selling as many as 60 psychic readings a month on eBay Inc., typically for about $15 each. Earlier this month, eBay said it will shut down sales of "metaphysical" goods such as spells, potions and other magical services on its namesake website. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443864204577619283259196226.html ********************** SOCIAL MEDIA ********************** Facebook cracks down on fake "Likes" Facebook Inc is weeding out fake "Likes" on its social network that are being caused by spammers, malware and black marketeers as it strives to maintain credibility as an advertising platform. http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/08/31/facebook-likes-idINDEE87U0IK20120831 Market Research Firm Dampens Its Forecast for Facebook Courage to those who try to read the tea leaves about the future of Facebook. On Thursday came a reality check on Facebook?s potential to improve revenue when the market research firm eMarketer, which like many others, had been superbullish about Facebook?s profitability, tamped down its estimates from earlier this year. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/30/market-research-firm-says-expect-less-from-facebook/ Twitter?s Free Speech Defender Alexander Macgillivray, Twitter?s chief lawyer, says that fighting for free speech is more than a good idea. He thinks it is a competitive advantage for his company. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/03/technology/twitter-chief-lawyer-alexander-macgillivray-defender-free-speech.html Free to post vile Twitter attacks ONE of the world's largest social networks has refused to police vicious and abusive messages posted online. Twitter spokeswoman Rachel Bremer said the company did not mediate content, regardless of whether it was "potentially" offensive. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/free-to-post-vile-twitter-attacks/story-e6freuy9-1226463501410 ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* nz: Kids as young as five on Facebook Bay of Plenty children as young as 5 are using Facebook and one of the region's largest secondary schools has responded to social media concerns by introducing a new curriculum subject. http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/news/kids-as-young-as-five-on-facebook/1527931/ au: Online attacks should be taken down: Abbott Australian Opposition leader Tony Abbott has said laws need to be tougher to crack down on online bullying. http://www.zdnet.com/au/online-attacks-should-be-taken-down-abbott-7000003536/ Cyber bullying is the real world writ large The Twitter campaign against Charlotte Dawson was genuinely awful, an illustration of the real world consequences of internet arsehattery: as someone once said, 'though boys throw stones at frogs in sport, the frogs do not die in sport, but in earnest.' http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4235634.html au: Footy star Jacin Sinclair died after Facebook hounding FORMER NRL star Jacin Sinclair was a victim of extreme cyber bullying including hate-filled messages urging him to "die" before his body was found inside his Sydney apartment almost two years ago. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/footy-star-died-after-facebook-hounding/story-e6freuy9-1226461978684 au/nz: 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/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10830456 ********************** ONLINE PIRACY, TV & MUSIC ********************** Pirate Bay co-founder Warg arrested in Cambodia One of the founders of the popular file-sharing Pirate Bay website, has been arrested in Cambodia, the local police have announced. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19457334 Pirate Bay Co-Founder Arrested: Police in Cambodia Detain One of the Masterminds Behind Pioneer File-Sharing Website Cambodian police on Sunday said they arrested one of the masterminds behind notorious file-sharing website The Pirate Bay, months after he was due to begin a one-year prison sentence in his native Sweden. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443571904577627173401006332.html Pirate Bay co-founder arrested in Cambodia A founder of the Pirate Bay filesharing website has been arrested in Cambodia at the request of Swedish police. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/sep/02/pirate-bay-founder-arrested-cambodia ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** FAA to study airline passenger use of tablets and other devices The FAA is setting up a group to look at what mobile electronic devices, such as tablets, e-readers and laptops, can safely be used on flights and when. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-airline-mobile-devices-20120829,0,4714055.story Swipe, pinch and zoom to the courtroom: Apple?s victory in its epic legal spat with Samsung has raised eyebrows among techies and lawyers alike Not long after a jury in the Californian city of San Jose concluded on August 24th that Samsung should pay Apple just over $1 billion in damages for infringing six of the American firm?s software and design patents, stills from a year-old sitcom episode, in which a character demonstrates an absurd triangular tablet computer, began recirculating on the internet. The images were being used to poke fun at the jury?s ruling that the South Korean firm had copied the shape of Apple?s wildly popular iPhone, which (like most) is rectangular with curved corners. http://www.economist.com/node/21561912 Biting back at Apple: HTC, Nokia and Research in Motion fight to stay in the game Phi, the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet, is used to represent the ?golden ratio? admired by artists and architects for its pleasing proportionality. If Nokia, a troubled Finnish handset-maker, is to achieve the comeback it hopes for, its new smartphones, rumoured to be named Phi, need to be equally appealing. The success of the devices, to be launched this month, may decide its fate. http://www.economist.com/node/21561926 iPhone, uCopy, iSue: Not every innovation deserves a patent. Not every copycat deserves a punishment When Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone in 2007, he changed an industry. Apple?s brilliant new device was a huge advance on the mobile phones that had gone before: it looked different and it worked better. The iPhone represented innovation at its finest, making it the top-selling smartphone soon after it came out and helping to turn Apple into the world?s most valuable company, with a market capitalisation that now exceeds $630 billion. http://www.economist.com/node/21561888 South Korea Reassesses Its Great Imitator When a jury in San Jose, Calif., ordered Samsung Electronics to pay $1.05 billion in damages for violating Apple?s patents for the iPhone and iPad, it did more than decide who had infringed upon whose intellectual property. To South Koreans, the legal battles that the two giants are waging across continents have highlighted both the biggest strength and the worst weakness of Samsung in particular and of their economy in general. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/03/technology/companies/south-korea-reassesses-samsung-after-battle-with-apple.html Google, Apple CEOs in secret patent talks Google Inc Chief Executive Larry Page and Apple CEO Tim Cook have been conducting behind-the-scenes talks about a range of intellectual property matters, including the mobile patent disputes between the companies, people familiar with the matter said. http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/08/30/google-apple-idINDEE87T0EW20120830 Google and Apple's chiefs may be ready to talk patent peace, sources say Google's chief executive Larry Page and Apple chief executive Tim Cook have been conducting behind-the-scenes talks about a range of intellectual property matters including the mobile patent disputes between the companies, people familiar with the matter say. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/30/apple-google-discussions-android Apple?s Cook, Google?s Page talk patents, report says Chief executives from Apple and Google are reportedly talking about patent disputes between their companies, according to a report from Reuters. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/apples-cook-googles-page-talk-patents-report-says/2012/08/30/00629658-f2dd-11e1-892d-bc92fee603a7_story.html Apple-Samsung patent fight: Fuzzy math Late last week, a San Jose jury awarded Apple Inc. $1.05 billion in damages for patent infringement, a huge win for Apple in its worldwide patent fight with smartphone manufacturers that, like Samsung, sell devices equipped with Google's Android operating system. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-oe-love-apple-patent-damages-20120830,0,3981673.story Japan rules for Samsung in Apple battle A court in Japan has ruled that Samsung did not infringe on an Apple patent, in the latest episode of the global legal war between the technology giants. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2012/08/20128315959128736.html Tokyo court gives win to Samsung after US loss A court in Tokyo has ruled that Samsung Electronics did not infringe on patents held by Apple, a victory for the South Korean company. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19433019 Tokyo Court Hands Win to Samsung Over Apple A Japanese court on Friday rejected patent claims made by Apple against Samsung, a victory for the company after its crushing defeat in the United States last week and a reminder of the global scope of the patent war between the two technology giants. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/01/technology/in-japan-a-setback-for-apples-patent-fight.html Nokia and Microsoft pin hopes on new handset as smartphone wars intensify In a warehouse by Manhattan's Hudson river next Wednesday, Nokia will fire up the most competitive Christmas mobile phone war yet. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/sep/02/smartphone-wars-intensify-ahead-of-christmas ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** Software Meant to Fight Crime Is Used to Spy on Dissidents Morgan Marquis-Boire works as a Google engineer and Bill Marczak is earning a Ph.D. in computer science. But this summer, the two men have been moonlighting as detectives, chasing an elusive surveillance tool from Bahrain across five continents. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/31/technology/finspy-software-is-tracking-political-dissidents.html ********************** SECURITY ********************** 30 new top cyber security advisors appointed to the EU Agency ENISA?s Permanent Stakeholders? Group [news release] A new composition of 30 top IT-security experts have started their term of office as members of ENISA?s Permanent Stakeholders? Group (PSG). The PSG will give top IT security advice to the EU?s ?cyber security? Agency ENISA, the European Network and Information Security Agency. The PSG is a group of leading IT-security experts that gives advice to the Agency?s Executive Director in, for example, drawing up a proposal for the Agency's annual Work Programme. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/30-new-top-cyber-security-advisors-appointed-to-the-eu-agency-enisas-permanent-stakeholders-group State-sponsored cyber espionage projects now prevalent, say experts At least four government-sponsored programmes to deploy cyber-espionage software like the Flame, Duqu and Stuxnet software ? the latter used against computers in Iran ? are in progress around the world, according to sources in the intelligence and computer communities. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/30/state-sponsored-cyber-espionage-prevalent Will cyberattacks define the future of war? Is the future of warfare going to be fought by soldiers using bullets, bombs and missiles -- or by computer geeks hunched over a laptop? http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/083012-will-cyberattacks-define-the-future-262055.html How Cybercriminals and Hacktivists Use DDoS Tools to Attack Network professionals know that distributed denial-of-service attacks are an ever-growing danger. The recent assault on Twitter is just the latest evidence. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/261618/how_cybercriminals_and_hacktivists_use_ddos_tools_to_attack.html How cybercriminals and hacktivists use DDoS tools to attack 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. But the technology is only half the story. The thinking that shapes attacks an evolving blend of careful planning, probing and improvisation is often the difference between duds and strikes that leave victims begging for mercy. http://features.techworld.com/security/3378864/how-cybercriminals-hacktivists-use-ddos-tools-attack/ Bungling Cyber Spy Stalks Iran: Government departments, banks, and companies that operate critical infrastructure have fallen victim to badly crafted malware known as Mahdi Over the past two years, governments in the Middle East have been targeted by sophisticated spying software, apparently created by world-class researchers whom unknown nation-states are paying to target sensitive data and infrastructure. Yet the latest piece of malware successfully spying on banks, government departments, and companies in Iran and nearby countries is almost laughably amateur. Experts believe that the software, called Mahdi, may have been created by activists. This possibility suggests that the United States and other governments fretting about their vulnerability to cyberwar may need to worry about more than just other nations. http://www.technologyreview.com/news/429046/bungling-cyber-spy-stalks-iran/ ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Apple Rejects App Tracking Drone Strikes This month, the British newspaper The Guardian ran an interactive map of American drone strikes, pinpointing the locations in Pakistan where missiles from the unmanned aerial vehicles struck suspected terrorists. The map, which was based on data from the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in Britain, was available through The Guardian?s app for the iPhone, as well as its Web site. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/30/apple-rejects-app-tracking-drone-strikes/ Jordan Web 'blackout' protest targets alleged censorship Black Iris, 360East, and 7iber are names that may not be familiar to U.S audiences, but for the Jordanian online community they represent websites and blogs with the online presence of Daily Kos or the Huffington Post. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/08/jordan-web-blackout-protest-targets-alleged-censorship.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** EFF Lawsuit Seeks Details of NSA Email, Phone Surveillance [IDG] The Electronic Frontier Foundation has filed a lawsuit seeking details about U.S. National Security Agency surveillance of email and telephone calls, with the lawsuit raising concerns that the agency has illegally targeted U.S. citizens. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/261681/eff_lawsuit_seeks_details_of_nsa_email_phone_surveillance.html ISPs' copyright obligations under treaty could infringe individuals' rights, claim groups ISPs will face an increased risk of infringing copyright laws and could infringe users' rights under a new international trade treaty being negotiated, campaigners have claimed. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/august/isps-copyright-obligations-under-treaty-could-infringe-individuals-rights-claim-groups/ International coalition favours Kiwi Copyright position The largest coalition of civil society groups to speak out on U.S. copyright proposals in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) has indicated support for New Zealand's counterproposal. http://www.techday.co.nz/netguide/news/international-coalition-favours-kiwi-copyrigh/24563/ Open standards sought for global smart grid - IEEE, others, back principles for standards development A coordinated effort to recognize de facto, market-driven standards and raise the visibility of the principles that drive them launched today. The effort is branded as OpenStand Principles and is backed by global players in the standards arena, including the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). http://www.intelligentutility.com/article/12/08/open-standards-sought-global-smart-grid Leading Global Standards Organizations Endorse ?OpenStand? Principles that Drive Innovation and Borderless Commerce [news release] Five leading global organizations ? IEEE, Internet Architecture Board (IAB), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), Internet Society and World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)?today announced that they have signed a statement affirming the importance of a jointly developed set of principles establishing a modern paradigm for global, open standards. The shared ?OpenStand? principles?based on the effective and efficient standardization processes that have made the Internet and Web the premiere platforms for innovation and borderless commerce?are proven in their ability to foster competition and cooperation, support innovation and interoperability and drive market success. http://open-stand.org/openstandlaunch/ ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** uk: Superfast mobile internet plans slowed by threat of legal action Plans to launch 4G superfast mobile internet in the UK before Christmas have been thrown into turmoil by a threat of legal action from the O2 network. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/29/mobile-internet-4g-o2-delay us: FCC Likely to Take Up Incentive Auction Plan Next Month The Federal Communications Commission is likely to take up a proposal at its Sept. 28 open meeting outlining rules for a new set of auctions aimed at enticing broadcasters to give up some of their spectrum for use by wireless carriers. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/08/fcc-likely-to-take-up-incentiv.php --------- David Goldstein email: david at goldsteinreport.com 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 Mon Sep 03 2012 - 00:14:12 UTC
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