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The domain name news is supported by auDA

 

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ICANN Clears the Way for Two-character Second-level Domain Names

< <https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann-clears-the-way-for-two-character-second-level-domain-names> https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann-clears-the-way-for-two-character-second-level-domain-names>

 

US Court Says ccTLDs Are Not Property In Case Brought By Terrorism Victims

< <http://www.domainpulse.com/2014/11/13/us-court-cctlds-not-property/> http://www.domainpulse.com/2014/11/13/us-court-cctlds-not-property/>

 

The Donuts Story: From 3,000 gTLD Ideas To Over One Million Registrations. All Paid For!

< <http://www.domainpulse.com/2014/11/12/the-donuts-story/> http://www.domainpulse.com/2014/11/12/the-donuts-story/>

 

New Melbourne domain names become available to the public in Australian first

< <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-12/new-melbourne-domain-names-become-available-to-public-in-austr/5884990> http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-12/new-melbourne-domain-names-become-available-to-public-in-austr/5884990>

 

 

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GOVERNANCE

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NETmundial?s promises of grassroots internet governance leave a lot to be desired by Arne Hintz, Lecturer in Media at Cardiff University

The way in which the internet is governed has shifted from technical debates held in obscure committees to a hotly contested field in which various nations vie for influence. Online surveillance, cybersecurity and how to treat undesirable content are now widely discussed topics that affect us all ? so it makes sense that this is reflected by including a wider range of people in deciding how the net is governed.

< <http://theconversation.com/netmundials-promises-of-grassroots-internet-governance-leave-a-lot-to-be-desired-34023> http://theconversation.com/netmundials-promises-of-grassroots-internet-governance-leave-a-lot-to-be-desired-34023>

 

Consensus-Building, Compromise Led ITU to Eschew Broader Mandate Change

International Telecommunication Union members avoided fundamental changes to the organization's mandate and embraced a multistakeholder approach to Internet policy making during the final week of the organization's plenipotentiary conference in Busan, Korea.

< <http://www.bna.com/consensusbuilding-compromise-led-n17179911494/> http://www.bna.com/consensusbuilding-compromise-led-n17179911494/>

 

Obama Heroically Wages Internet War, But Misses World Wide Web Target

About eight months ago, in March 2014, the powers that be behind ICANN gathered together in Singapore to discuss the transition of stewardship from the U.S. government to a "global multi-stakeholder community." Most of us, apparently lost in a milieu of NCAA March Madness and the anticipation of a flower-full spring, missed the significance of such tidings. That was too bad.

< <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-weinstein/obama-heroically-wages-in_b_6137324.html> http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-weinstein/obama-heroically-wages-in_b_6137324.html>

 

What will the future of the internet look like? by Xiaodong Lee

The internet has infiltrated almost every corner of society, transforming our lives in the process. Over the coming decades, networked innovations will extend this change to the physical world. But as we become ever-more reliant on online tools and services, who should protect and regulate the internet itself? Our Global Agenda Council experts explore the debates and opportunities ahead.

< <http://forumblog.org/2014/11/what-will-the-future-of-the-internet-look-like/> http://forumblog.org/2014/11/what-will-the-future-of-the-internet-look-like/>

 

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DOMAIN NAMES

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- ICANN

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U.S. Court Quashes Attempts to Attach ccTLDs: Federal Judge Agrees with ICANN

A U.S. federal court has agreed with ICANN that ccTLDs are not property subject to attachment.

< <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2-2014-11-12-en> https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2-2014-11-12-en>

 

ICANN Clears the Way for Two-character Second-level Domain Names

Currently, Specification 5 of the base new gTLD Registry Agreement (RA) requires registry operators to reserve all two-character ASCII labels at the second-level. The RA also states that registry operators can request permission from ICANN to release these labels.

< <https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann-clears-the-way-for-two-character-second-level-domain-names> https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann-clears-the-way-for-two-character-second-level-domain-names>

 

ICANN51 and After: ?Tis the Season ? for NTIA Transition!

This autumn is busy with ICANN outreach, specifically with increased efforts to inform and generate input on the transition of stewardship of the IANA functions.

< <https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann51-and-after-tis-the-season-for-ntia-transition> https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann51-and-after-tis-the-season-for-ntia-transition>

 

Monitoring the Health of the Organization by Fadi Chehad?

Starting this month, ICANN launches its new Quarterly Stakeholder Call. This call builds from the quarterly shareholder call model used by public companies to provide factual, detail-based reporting on the organization's performance. A key difference between the stakeholder call and a shareholder call is that at ICANN, we do not evaluate our results in sales revenue or competitive position. Instead, we measure our success in relation to our mission as the coordinator of technical parameters, Internet Protocol address space and the Domain Name System.

< <https://www.icann.org/news/blog/monitoring-the-health-of-the-organization> https://www.icann.org/news/blog/monitoring-the-health-of-the-organization>

 

ICANN Draft Five-Year Operating Plan

ICANN is introducing the addition of Five-Year Operating Plan to its planning process, and is seeking public comment on the ICANN Draft Five-Year Operating Plan Version 1 (FY2016-FY2020). The public comment period begins today, Monday, 11 November 2014 for a total of 55 days to complete on Monday, 5 January 2015.

< <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2014-11-11-en> https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2014-11-11-en>

 

ICANN Draft Five-Year Operating Plan

Brief Overview: In line with ICANN's commitment to the multi-stakeholder model, the ICANN Draft Five-Year Operating Plan (Version 1 FY2016-FY2020) is provided for community discussion and public comment. ICANN is seeking general feedback, as well as input Planning Calendar - community roles and responsibilities; Goal level - Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Dependencies and phasing activities from FY16-FY20 plus the Five Year Financial Model. Your responses will help inform ICANN's Five-Year Operating Plan and ICANN's annual operating plans and budget.

< <https://www.icann.org/public-comments/proposed-opplan-budget-2016-2020-2014-11-11-en> https://www.icann.org/public-comments/proposed-opplan-budget-2016-2020-2014-11-11-en>

 

Update from Public Experts Group

The Public Experts Group (PEG) continues its deliberations on Advisors for the Enhancing ICANN Accountability Cross Community Working Group (CCWG). The PEG expects to deliver the names of up to seven Advisors by the end of November.

< <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2014-11-12-en> https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2014-11-12-en>

 

.MADRID - Introduction of Two Approved Launch Programs

Brief Overview: The Comunidad de Madrid's applications for two Approved Launch Programs pursuant to Section 4.5.2 of the Trademark Clearinghouse Rights Protection Mechanism Requirements (the "TMCH Requirements") for its .MADRID TLD are being posted for comment to give the community an opportunity to review and provide feedback.

< <https://www.icann.org/public-comments/madrid-alp-application-2014-11-11-en> https://www.icann.org/public-comments/madrid-alp-application-2014-11-11-en>

 

Taking Stock of Our Africa Strategy by Pierre Dandjinou

Over two years ago, the African community met in Prague (ICANN 44) for a historic meeting chaired by Dr. Steve Crocker and then incoming President and CEO Fadi Chehade. The outcome was a new approach to Africa focused on:

< <https://www.icann.org/news/blog/taking-stock-of-our-africa-strategy> https://www.icann.org/news/blog/taking-stock-of-our-africa-strategy>

 

Stephen D. Crocker to Thomas Schneider

Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy (Part D)

< <https://www.icann.org/resources/correspondence/crocker-to-schneider-2014-11-10-en> https://www.icann.org/resources/correspondence/crocker-to-schneider-2014-11-10-en>

 

Patrick Weber, Vice President | European Federation for Medical Informatics, to the ICANN Board, Stephen Crocker and Fadi Chehad?

New gTLD applications for health-related strings

< <https://www.icann.org/resources/correspondence/weber-to-icann-board-et-al-2014-11-06-en> https://www.icann.org/resources/correspondence/weber-to-icann-board-et-al-2014-11-06-en>

 

Patrick Weber, President | NI2016, to the ICANN Board, Stephen Crocker and Fadi Chehad?

New gTLD applications for health-related strings

< <https://www.icann.org/resources/correspondence/weber-to-icann-board-et-al-2-2014-11-06-en> https://www.icann.org/resources/correspondence/weber-to-icann-board-et-al-2-2014-11-06-en>

 

US Court Says ccTLDs Are Not Property In Case Brought By Terrorism Victims

Victims of terrorism from Israel and the United States who sued to gain the assets of the Iranian (.IR), Syrian (.SY) and North Korean (.KP), (as well as internationalised TLDs for Iran and Syria) seized for compensation have failed.

< <http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=23127> http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=23127>

< <http://www.domainpulse.com/2014/11/13/us-court-cctlds-not-property/> http://www.domainpulse.com/2014/11/13/us-court-cctlds-not-property/>

< <http://www.domainnews.com/us-court-cctlds-not-property.html> http://www.domainnews.com/us-court-cctlds-not-property.html>

 

Exclusive interview: ICANN GAC change at the top by Emily Taylor

In October 2014, the Chair of ICANN?s Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC), Heather Dryden of Canada, stood down after four years at the helm. She and incoming ICANN GAC Chair Thomas Schneider of Switzerland discuss the role, the past and the future, and governments? role within ICANN.

< <http://www.emilytaylor.eu/icann-gac-exclusive-change-at-top/> http://www.emilytaylor.eu/icann-gac-exclusive-change-at-top/>

 

Internet wins as court denies motion to seize ccTLDs

ICANN and the internet community at large got a victory this week as a U.S. court denied a request to seize ccTLDs as compensation in a lawsuit.

< <http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/12/internet-wins-as-court-denies-motion-to-seize-cctlds/> http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/12/internet-wins-as-court-denies-motion-to-seize-cctlds/>

 

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- ccTLD & gTLD NEWS

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fr: Welcome to Afnic, Secretary of State Lemaire!

On 6 November 2014, French Secretary of State Axelle Lemaire reasserted her commitment to the .fr TLD by inaugurating Afnic?s new premises.

< <http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/8452/show/welcome-to-afnic-secretary-of-state-lemaire.html> http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/8452/show/welcome-to-afnic-secretary-of-state-lemaire.html>

 

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- NEW TLDS

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The Donuts Story: From 3,000 gTLD Ideas To Over One Million Registrations. All Paid For!

It started as an idea between four people who, for the domain name world, had been involved in the space for a long long time. As ICANN discussed the introduction of new gTLDs they got together and shared their ideas. And the result to date is Donuts, a company with over one million domain names registered across 152 gTLDs and with more gTLDs and plenty more registrations to come.

< <http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=23126> http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=23126>

< <http://www.domainpulse.com/2014/11/12/the-donuts-story/> http://www.domainpulse.com/2014/11/12/the-donuts-story/>

< <http://www.domainnews.com/the-donuts-story.html> http://www.domainnews.com/the-donuts-story.html>

 

A week in gTLDs: good and bad news for trademark legal budgets

In a blow to trademark owners who blocked their terms in the ?.xxx? string and expected that they would receive similar protection in other adult strings, ICM Registry has confirmed that those seeking protection in the ?.porn? and ?.adult? strings will now have to pay for the privilege. Better news comes from an unexpected source ? the operator of the ?.sucks? string, who previously announced plans for $25,000 sunrise fees.

< <http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/blog/Detail.aspx?g=b192d136-1161-4973-af4a-ad06704f141c> http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/blog/Detail.aspx?g=b192d136-1161-4973-af4a-ad06704f141c>

 

New Melbourne domain names become available to the public in Australian first

Melburnians can now have a web address ending in .melbourne as an alternative to the traditional .com.au and .org.au TLDs.

< <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-12/new-melbourne-domain-names-become-available-to-public-in-austr/5884990> http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-12/new-melbourne-domain-names-become-available-to-public-in-austr/5884990>

 

Victorian Government & City of Melbourne launch .melbourne web addresses

The Victorian Government and City of Melbourne today joined a host of Melbourne business leaders and the cast of the multi award-winning musical ONCE to officially launch .melbourne web addresses as the city?s new home online.

< <http://live.melbourne/media-release/victorian-government-city-melbourne-launch-melbourne-web-addresses/> http://live.melbourne/media-release/victorian-government-city-melbourne-launch-melbourne-web-addresses/>

 

Melbourne claims its own space in digital world

Minister for Technology Gordon Rich-Phillips today officially launched the new domain name .melbourne, making history as Australia?s first city?specific domain name.

< <http://www.rich-phillips.com.au/MediaCentre/ElectoratePressReleases/tabid/100/ID/1495/Melbourne-claims-its-own-space-in-digital-world.aspx> http://www.rich-phillips.com.au/MediaCentre/ElectoratePressReleases/tabid/100/ID/1495/Melbourne-claims-its-own-space-in-digital-world.aspx>

 

World's most liveable city now has the most liveable online address

Melbourne?s iconic Flower Drum restaurant, the Melbourne Festival and Bank of Melbourne have today been announced as ambassadors for the launch of the .melbourne namespace and today become some of the first businesses to adopt Melbourne?s new web address.

< <http://www.ariservices.com/news-worlds-most-liveable-city.php> http://www.ariservices.com/news-worlds-most-liveable-city.php>

 

.quebec geographic gTLD ready for public launch

Quebec?s new gTLD ?.quebec ? is scheduled for general availability November 18, 2014. The .quebec domain will be of interest to any brand owners conducting business in La belle province.

< <http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=bc2e3618-658d-44a8-80cc-2ad8201ef57b> http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=bc2e3618-658d-44a8-80cc-2ad8201ef57b>

 

Radix, Tucows and Namecheap Win .online Auction

A newly formed entity owned by Radix, Tucows and Namecheap won the auction to operate the .online registry for an undisclosed amount.

< <http://www.tucows.com/radix-tucows-and-namecheap-win-online-auction/> http://www.tucows.com/radix-tucows-and-namecheap-win-online-auction/>

 

Bandzoogle Partnering with Rightside to Offer .ROCKS and .BAND Domains and Websites for Musicians and Bands

Bandzoogle, a company whose technology platform is used by over 20,000 bands and musicians to power their websites and online stores, today announced it is partnering with Rightside Group, Ltd. (Nasdaq:NAME), a leading provider of domain name services that advance the way businesses and consumers define and present themselves online.

< <https://bandzoogle.com/press/bandzoogle-partners-with-rightside> https://bandzoogle.com/press/bandzoogle-partners-with-rightside>

 

Minds + Machines Loses Auctions on Five gTLD Names, Netting $8.4 Million

Minds + Machines Group ... has been outbid by competitors in auctions for five new gTLD names for which it had applied to run. While it lost the right to be the registry for these domains, this did net the company approximately $8.4 million.

< <http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/minds-machines-loses-auctions-five-gtld-names-netting-8-4-million> http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/minds-machines-loses-auctions-five-gtld-names-netting-8-4-million>

 

Amazon bags control of .book and .pay domains ? but NOT .cloud

Bookseller-turned-bazaar Amazon has beaten off competition from eight other companies, including Google and publisher Bowker, to win the right to sell domains ending in .book.

< <http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/11/11/amazon_wins_book_top_level_domain/> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/11/11/amazon_wins_book_top_level_domain/>

 

Amazon.com wins .Book TLD battle

Amazon.com has won an auction for rights to run the .book TLD.

< <http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/11/amazon-com-wins-book-top-level-domain-name-battle/> http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/11/amazon-com-wins-book-top-level-domain-name-battle/>

 

Bulgaria?s first websites with Cyrillic web suffix expected in six months

The first domain names using the Cyrillic-script web address suffix ?.??? could make an appearance in about six months, but the early rate of adoption was expected to be slow, Bulgarian web hosting and domain registration company SuperHosting.BG said on November 11.

< <http://sofiaglobe.com/2014/11/12/bulgarias-first-websites-with-cyrillic-web-suffix-expected-in-six-months/> http://sofiaglobe.com/2014/11/12/bulgarias-first-websites-with-cyrillic-web-suffix-expected-in-six-months/>

 

Amazon Buys .Book Domain Amid Controversy With Publishers

In the culmination of a two-year battle against publishing companies, Amazon has been granted .book domain name rights. The online retailer-turned-Internet service giant beat eight other competitors in the application process, including Google and publisher Bowker, to win the auction by ICANN.

< <http://www.bustle.com/articles/48871-amazon-buys-book-domain-amid-controversy-with-publishers> http://www.bustle.com/articles/48871-amazon-buys-book-domain-amid-controversy-with-publishers>

 

Another 11 new gTLDs won at auction

It?s been a busy week for new gTLD application withdrawals, with no fewer than 11 contention sets getting settled over the last few days.

< <http://domainincite.com/17640-another-11-new-gtlds-won-at-auction> http://domainincite.com/17640-another-11-new-gtlds-won-at-auction>

 

New TLDs should emulate the Startup.club model for premium domains

.Club?s new Startup.club program is ingenious, and something that other new TLDs should consider emulating.

< <http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/12/startup-club/> http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/12/startup-club/>

 

John Oliver?s five .NYC domain names making fun of Michael Bloomberg

Last week I wrote a story about Michael Bloomberg?s 400 .nyc domain names. The over-the-top defensive registrations included everything from MichaelBloombergisaWeiner.nyc to MikeIsTooShort.nyc to MikeBloombergisaDweeb.nyc.

< <http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/11/john-olivers-five-nyc-domain-names-making-fun-of-michael-bloomberg/> http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/11/john-olivers-five-nyc-domain-names-making-fun-of-michael-bloomberg/>

 

John Oliver Discusses .NYC Domain Names (Slightly NSFW)

.NYC domain names were front and center in this clip from HBO?s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. More specifically, Oliver discussed .NYC domain name registrations related to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Some of these domain names were vulgar and likely defensively registered on behalf of the former Mayor (I would assume without his knowledge).

< <http://www.domaininvesting.com/john-oliver-discusses-nyc-domain-names-slightly-nsfw/> http://www.domaininvesting.com/john-oliver-discusses-nyc-domain-names-slightly-nsfw/>

 

GTLDs - Current Sunrise Periods Open-- November 2014 Update

As first reported in our December 2013 newsletter, the first new gTLDs have launched their "Sunrise" registration periods.

< <http://www.natlawreview.com/article/generic-top-level-domains-current-sunrise-periods-open-november-2014-update> http://www.natlawreview.com/article/generic-top-level-domains-current-sunrise-periods-open-november-2014-update>

 

ICM will NOT offer free .porn names to .xxx buyers

ICM Registry has reneged on its promise to ?grandfather? trademark owners and other .xxx registrants in its forthcoming .sex, .porn and .adult new gTLDs.

< <http://domainincite.com/17626-icm-will-not-offer-free-porn-names-to-xxx-buyers> http://domainincite.com/17626-icm-will-not-offer-free-porn-names-to-xxx-buyers>

 

AICPA Working to Create .CPA Internet Domain Name

The American Institute of CPAs is working to secure a new .cpa domain extension on the Internet, which would provide a globally recognized calling card for CPAs in the digital world.

< <http://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/news/12017640/aicpa-working-to-create-cpa-internet-domain-name> http://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/news/12017640/aicpa-working-to-create-cpa-internet-domain-name>

 

What do Amazon and Google domain name losses mean for new TLDs?

.Cloud is a valuable TLD. I?m basing that on the seven applications it received, and that Amazon.com, Google and Symantec all applied for the domain name.

< <http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/10/amazon-and-google-domain-name/> http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/10/amazon-and-google-domain-name/>

 

Minds + Machines nets $8.4 million from auctions, .Cloud and .Book settled

New TLD company Minds + Machines has bolstered its bank account by $8.4 million as a result of losing five private auctions for new TLDs. The losses included a handful of highly contested strings, such as .cloud and .book.

< <http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/10/minds-machines-auctions-cloud/> http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/10/minds-machines-auctions-cloud/>

 

GTLDs Valuation Components That You Must Not Overlook by Alex Tajirian

This post outlines the valuation pitfalls that need to be avoided when competing for the acquisition of a new gTLD. The most widely used financial tools to determine the economic viability of a capital investment project, such as bidding for a new gTLD, are the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and the Net Present Value (NPV), which measures the expected additional value a project would create if undertaken.

< <http://www.circleid.com/posts/20141111_gtlds_valuation_components_that_you_must_not_overlook/> http://www.circleid.com/posts/20141111_gtlds_valuation_components_that_you_must_not_overlook/>

 

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- DNS SECURITY

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Germany plans early-warning defence against cyber attacks [registration]

Berlin fears attacks from extremists and state-backed hackers

< <http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/54ce1fea-68f2-11e4-b389-00144feabdc0.html> http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/54ce1fea-68f2-11e4-b389-00144feabdc0.html>

 

U.S. says cyber charges against China show it will not stand idle

The United States' pursuit of charges against China related to cyber spying shows Washington will not stand idle on the issue, a senior U.S. official said on Tuesday in Beijing, as President Barack Obama joined a meeting of Asia-Pacific leaders.

< <http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/11/11/usa-china-cybersecurity-idINKCN0IV08J20141111> http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/11/11/usa-china-cybersecurity-idINKCN0IV08J20141111>

< <http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/11/11/uk-usa-china-cybersecurity-idUKKCN0IV07Z20141111> http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/11/11/uk-usa-china-cybersecurity-idUKKCN0IV07Z20141111>

 

Hacking traffic lights given as example of possible G20 cyberattacks

G20 is an ?irresistible target for hackers? whether they are nation-state sponsored, spies or Anonymous hacktivists, warned a security expert. An Australian spy agency has also warned businesses to "brace" for cyberattacks expected around the G20 Summit.

< <http://www.networkworld.com/article/2845137/microsoft-subnet/hacking-traffic-lights-given-as-example-of-possible-g20-cyberattacks.html> http://www.networkworld.com/article/2845137/microsoft-subnet/hacking-traffic-lights-given-as-example-of-possible-g20-cyberattacks.html>

 

Don?t blame Obama, but DDoS attacks are now using his press releases

Akamai has issued a security bulletin about a new form of Domain Name Service-based DDoS attacks that emerged in October, attacks that can significantly boost the volume of data flung at a targeted server. The method builds upon the well-worn DNS reflection attack method used frequently in past DDoS attacks, exploiting part of the DNS record returned by domain queries to increase the amount of data sent to the target?by stuffing it full of information from President Barack Obama?s press office.

< <http://arstechnica.com/security/2014/11/dont-blame-obama-but-ddos-attacks-are-now-using-his-press-releases/> http://arstechnica.com/security/2014/11/dont-blame-obama-but-ddos-attacks-are-now-using-his-press-releases/>

 

America's Critical Infrastructure Is Vulnerable To Cyber Attacks

America?s critical infrastructure?the utilities, refineries, military defense systems, water treatment plants and other facilities on which we depend every day?has become its soft underbelly, the place where we are now most vulnerable to attack.

< <http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2014/11/11/americas-critical-infrastructure-is-vulnerable-to-cyber-attacks/> http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2014/11/11/americas-critical-infrastructure-is-vulnerable-to-cyber-attacks/>

 

Keeping cybersecurity focused on critical infrastructure

There is an uneven landscape when it comes to cybersecurity readiness in Europe, writes Thomas Ebou?. To build a foundation for cyber protections, the European Union needs to start with the most critical infrastructure, he argues.

< <http://www.euractiv.com/sections/infosociety/keeping-cybersecurity-focused-critical-infrastructure-309893> http://www.euractiv.com/sections/infosociety/keeping-cybersecurity-focused-critical-infrastructure-309893>

 

EU urged to focus on ?critical infrastructure? to boost cyber security

There is an ?uneven landscape? for cyber security readiness in Europe which should be tackled by investing in ?critical infrastructure?, a senior official of an advocacy body for the global software industry has said.

< <http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2014/november/eu-urged-to-focus-on-critical-infrastructure-to-boost-cyber-security/> http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2014/november/eu-urged-to-focus-on-critical-infrastructure-to-boost-cyber-security/>

 

Chinese Hackers Target Human Rights Groups with Persistent Cyberattacks: Report

Human rights groups are not only vulnerable to cyber attacks, but are constantly targeted, particularly by Chinese hackers. All ten human rights groups studied by the Citizen?s Lab had been breached, according to a new report released Tuesday by the group.

< <http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/chinese-hackers-target-human-rights-groups-persistent-cyberattacks-report> http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/chinese-hackers-target-human-rights-groups-persistent-cyberattacks-report>

 

Hackers Use DNS TXT Records to Amplify DDoS Attacks: Akamai Report

Cybercriminals are using DNS TXT records in order to amplify DDoS attacks, according to a security bulletin published on Tuesday by Akamai?s Prolexic Security Engineering and Research Team (PLXsert).

< <http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/hackers-use-dns-txt-records-amplify-ddos-attacks-akamai-report> http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/hackers-use-dns-txt-records-amplify-ddos-attacks-akamai-report>

 

Stuxnet Reached its Target via the Networks of Trusted Business Partners

Stuxnet, the powerful malware that wormed its way in and hobbled Iran?s uranium enrichment efforts, infiltrated the secure networks of the nuclear program via trusted partners, newly public information reveals. 

< <http://www.networkworld.com/article/2846973/security0/stuxnet-reached-its-target-via-the-networks-of-trusted-business-partners.html> http://www.networkworld.com/article/2846973/security0/stuxnet-reached-its-target-via-the-networks-of-trusted-business-partners.html>

< <http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/559489/stuxnet-reached-its-target-via-networks-trusted-business-partners/> http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/559489/stuxnet-reached-its-target-via-networks-trusted-business-partners/>

 

African organizations lag in cybersecurity, global survey says [IDG]

Many African organizations lack the real-time insight on cyber-risks needed to combat online fraud and other IT security issues, according to the annual EY Global Information Security Survey.

< <http://www.pcworld.com/article/2846312/african-organizations-lag-in-cybersecurity-global-survey-says.html> http://www.pcworld.com/article/2846312/african-organizations-lag-in-cybersecurity-global-survey-says.html>

 

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- DOMAIN DISPUTES & SEIZURES

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In Wake of Takedown Tor Looking for Answers

Officials at the Tor Project are continuing to look for answers following the takedown late last week of hundreds of Tor hidden services, including the popular black market website Silk Road 2.0.

< <http://threatpost.com/in-wake-of-takedown-tor-looking-for-answers/109271> http://threatpost.com/in-wake-of-takedown-tor-looking-for-answers/109271>

 

Malaysia new arbitration hub for Indian rows

Malaysia is now eyeing Singapore's dominant position as the favoured arbitration destination for Indian lawyers and mediators, Indian media reported on Monday.

< <http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?newsid=276183&catname=World> http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?newsid=276183&catname=World>

 

Chan Luu Case Settles/Registrants Can Still Seek Return of Domains by Philip Corwin

While we are not privy to the details, we have received word that there has been a settlement in the litigation brought by Chan Luu against Grant Shellhammer and Online Growth. As we first reported in early October, more than 5,000 domain names were said to have been transferred by VeriSign to Uniregistrar after it was served with a sealed court order.

< <http://www.internetcommerce.org/chan-luu-case-settles/> http://www.internetcommerce.org/chan-luu-case-settles/>

 

Taunting Nets? Family Makes It Their Domain

Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and his counterpart with the Knicks, James L. Dolan, were early suspects, as were any other N.B.A. executives who had ever squabbled with Mikhail D. Prokhorov, the Russian billionaire owner of the Nets. Or perhaps the culprit was an old rival of Prokhorov?s from back home in Russia, where oligarchs have been known to make enemies. Anything seemed possible over the past two years, as Nets fans looking for a schedule or a score typed ?nets.com? into their web browsers and were redirected to a curious variety of distinctly non-Nets sites: an amateurishly designed page with a photo of Cuban sticking out his tongue; the personal home page of Jason Kidd, who had a messy split with the Nets this summer after a single season as their coach; an All-Star team ballot for the Knicks.

< <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/sports/basketball/taunting-nets-family-makes-it-their-domain-.html> http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/sports/basketball/taunting-nets-family-makes-it-their-domain-.html>

 

UDRP complainant recovers domain name reproducing trademark despite its generic meaning [subscription]

In a recent domain name dispute under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) before the World Intellectual Property Organisation, a French company has obtained the transfer of a domain name identically reproducing its trademark in full, even though the trademark also had a generic meaning that the respondent claimed he wished to exploit.

< <http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=4a148a09-bc15-480c-bdc6-15ad7985d691> http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=4a148a09-bc15-480c-bdc6-15ad7985d691>

 

Domain Name Abuse Is a 4 Letter Word by Michael Young

There has been a lot of back and forth recently in the ICANN world on what constitutes domain abuse; how it should be identified and reported AND how it should be addressed. On one side of the camp, we have people advocating for taking down a domain that has any hint of misbehaviour about it, and on the other side we have those that still feel Registries and Registrars have no responsibility towards a clean domain space. (Although that side of the camp is in steady decline and moving toward the middle ground).

< <http://www.circleid.com/posts/20141112_domain_name_abuse_is_a_4_letter_word/> http://www.circleid.com/posts/20141112_domain_name_abuse_is_a_4_letter_word/>

 

Hotel chain obtains transfer of '.berlin' domain name reproducing its mark

In a recent case under the UDRP before the World Intellectual Property Organisation, a well-known hotel chain has obtained the transfer of a domain name identically reproducing its trademark under the new gTLD ?.berlin?.

< <http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=96dfa6eb-3aef-4fc2-92d9-c42581153b60> http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=96dfa6eb-3aef-4fc2-92d9-c42581153b60>

 

**********************

- MISCELLANEOUS

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New gTLD implicated in Macaulay Culkin ?death?, but journalists get it all wrong

A cybersquatted domain in a new gTLD was deployed to perpetrate a hoax about the death Macaulay Culkin at the weekend, but reports insisted on adding a ?.com? to the name.

< <http://domainincite.com/17631-new-gtld-implicated-in-macaulay-culkin-death-but-journalists-get-it-all-wrong> http://domainincite.com/17631-new-gtld-implicated-in-macaulay-culkin-death-but-journalists-get-it-all-wrong>

 

Web.com sued for telemarketing calls

A California resident has sued Web.com, claiming the company called her cell phone multiple times in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The lawsuit seeks class action status.

< <http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/10/web-com-sued-for-telemarketing-calls/> http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/10/web-com-sued-for-telemarketing-calls/>

 

China?s Domain Name Market with Simon Cousins ? DNW Podcast #6

Domain Name Wire podcastChina?s appetite for domain names is booming. A quarter of Domain Holdings? sales last quarter were to China, and Verisign credits the country with bolstering .com growth.

< <http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/10/chinas-domain-name-market-with-simon-cousins-dnw-podcast-6/> http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/10/chinas-domain-name-market-with-simon-cousins-dnw-podcast-6/>

 

Phone service continues to bolster Tucows? top line

Tucows continues to see growth in its Ting offering, offsetting stagnating revenues in its domain name business.

< <http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/12/phone-service-continues-to-bolster-tucows-top-line/> http://domainnamewire.com/2014/11/12/phone-service-continues-to-bolster-tucows-top-line/>

 

**********************

- DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET

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Feel the Power! The 9th Seven-Figure Sale Reported So Far This Year Tops This Week's Sales Chart

The big news in the domain aftermarket this week is the $1,261,000 sale of Power.com that we told you about in a Lowdown post Tuesday.

< <http://dnjournal.com/domainsales.htm> http://dnjournal.com/domainsales.htm>

 

Buyers Love 3-Letter .Coms - Lov.com Tops This Week's Sales Chart with 7 More on the Leader Board

Domain buyers have long had a love affair with 3-letter .coms. That was shown again this week when LOV.com led our latest Sales Chart with a $91,800 payday at NameJet and seven more 3-letter .coms taking places on an expanded leader board. I was away covering the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. East conference in Miami Beach last week, so I have a double dose of data for you this time out, including an all extension top sales chart that doubles from its usual 20 positions to 40.

< <http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2014/20141112.htm> http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2014/20141112.htm>

 

Median Domain Sales Prices in Latest Quarter Again Leave 2013 Numbers in the Dust - Total $ Volume for First 3 Quarters of 2014 Also Up Big 

The common theme in my last two newsletters covering 1Q-2014 domain sales and 2Q-2014 sales was a powerful aftermarket advance from numbers posted in the same quarters last year. In the recently concluded 3rd quarter of 2014 the median sales prices increased yet again even though the total $ volume figures were mixed.

< <http://dnjournal.com/newsletters/2014/september-october.htm> http://dnjournal.com/newsletters/2014/september-october.htm>

 

China Calling! With New Bridges to Help You Cross the Language Barrier the Booming Chinese Domain Market is Beckoning 

China's increasingly important role in the domain aftermarket has been one this year's biggest stories. Chinese buyers have been front and center in many of 2014's biggest deals. In the 1st quarter alone, buyers from China spent $2.43 million for 37.com, another $2.43 million for Youxi.com, $950,000 for 100.com and $800,000 for WAN.com, just name a few. They were buying more than just .coms too. In the same quarter the top seven ccTLD sales were all Chinese .CN domains, led by Game.cn at $512,307 and WAN.cn at $247,830.

< <http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2014/dailyposts/20141110.htm> http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2014/dailyposts/20141110.htm>

 

Power.com Sold for Nearly $1.3 Million in One of the Year's Biggest Sales 

... Power.com has been sold to Power Integrations, Inc. for $1,261,000 (Power.com now redirects to the San Jose, California based company's existing website at PowerInt.com). Power Integrations, a supplier of high-performance electronic components, had net revenues of more than $90 million in the recently completed 3rd quarter of 2014.

< <http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2014/dailyposts/20141111.htm> http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2014/dailyposts/20141111.htm>

 

 

**********************

INTERNET USE

**********************

Welcome to Sweden - the most cash-free society on the planet

Stockholm?s street magazine vendors no longer need to ask if passers-by can spare some change anymore ? they take cards instead.

< <http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/11/welcome-sweden-electronic-money-not-so-funny> http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/11/welcome-sweden-electronic-money-not-so-funny>

 

New statistics ? How Swedes use social media

Seven out of ten (72%) visit social media at some time while almost half (48%) of Swedes* visit daily. These are the new statistics from .SE?s upcoming report, ?Swedes and the Internet 2014.? Facebook continues to be the most popular, but is being challenged by new alternatives. This year?s rocket is Instagram, which has almost doubled its number of users from last year and is now used by almost a third of Swedes (28%).

< <https://www.iis.se/english/blog/new-statistics-how-swedes-use-social-media/> https://www.iis.se/english/blog/new-statistics-how-swedes-use-social-media/>

 

**********************

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

**********************

Finding Success in the New IoT Ecosystem: Market to Reach $3.04 Trillion and 30 Billion Connected "Things" in 2020, IDC Says [news release]

While most everyone agrees that the Internet of Things (IoT) is poised for explosive growth and represents boundless opportunities ? billions of connected things driving trillions in revenue ? understanding where the revenue opportunities lie across different technology layers has remained elusive. A newly released IoT ecosystem forecast from International Data Corporation (IDC) provides much needed clarity, defining the hardware, software, services, connectivity, and security that make up the evolving IoT ecosystem. The worldwide IoT market is forecast to grow from $1.3 trillion in 2013 to $3.04 trillion in 2020 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13%.

< <http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS25237214> http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS25237214>

 

*********************************

CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY

*********************************

au: Social media companies better placed to deal with cyber bullying

Social media companies are in a "much better" position to deal with cyber bullying than governments, Australia's Human Rights Commissioner has said.

< <http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-g20/social-media-companies-better-placed-to-deal-with-cyber-bullying-20141112-11l97k.html> http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-g20/social-media-companies-better-placed-to-deal-with-cyber-bullying-20141112-11l97k.html>

 

**********************

ONLINE TV, MUSIC & PIRACY

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au: ISP Wants to Understand Technology Used to Track Pirates

Legal representatives for ISP iiNet say they want an anti-piracy tracking system put under the microscope. Hundreds of the Aussie service providers customers are at risk of being sent "speculative invoices" demanding cash for alleged infringements but iiNet definitely isn't going to give plaintiff Dallas Buyers Club an easy ride.

< <http://torrentfreak.com/isp-wants-to-understand-technology-used-to-track-pirates-141110/> http://torrentfreak.com/isp-wants-to-understand-technology-used-to-track-pirates-141110/>

 

Internet Pirates Always a Step Ahead , Aussies Say

Almost three-quarters of Australians believe that using technical measures to end Internet piracy are doomed to fail and will only lead to higher ISP bills for consumers. Those are just two of the findings of a new survey carried out by the Communications Alliance, the industry body for the Australian telecoms industry.

< <http://torrentfreak.com/internet-pirates-always-a-step-ahead-aussies-say-141112/> http://torrentfreak.com/internet-pirates-always-a-step-ahead-aussies-say-141112/>

 

**********************

ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL

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Dark net experts trade theories on 'de-cloaking' after raids

The hidden web community has started trying to find out how services and identities were compromised after police raids led to 17 arrests.

< <http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-29987373> http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-29987373>

 

Dark net raids were 'overblown' by police, says Tor Project

The impact of raids on so-called "dark net" websites has been "way overblown" by police, according to the group responsible for the Tor browser.

< <http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-29987379> http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-29987379>

 

Operation Onymous may have exposed flaws in Tor, developers reveal

The Tor project, which oversees the development of the anonymous browser, has expressed concern over an intergovernmental operation that took down 27 hosts offering ?hidden services?, or websites only accessible through the Tor network.

< <http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/11/operation-onymous-flaws-tor> http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/11/operation-onymous-flaws-tor>

 

**********************

PRIVACY & SURVEILLANCE

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Australians fear knock-on pricing in anti-piracy push: Study

The majority of Australians fear a pricing knock-on should internet service providers be forced to shoulder the burden of combating digital content piracy, according to new research published by the Communications Alliance.

< <http://www.zdnet.com/australians-fear-knock-on-pricing-in-anti-piracy-push-study-7000035699/> http://www.zdnet.com/australians-fear-knock-on-pricing-in-anti-piracy-push-study-7000035699/>

 

**************************

GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY

**************************

us: Cable companies 'stunned' by Obama's 'extreme' net neutrality proposals

America?s major telecoms and cable companies and business groups came out fighting on Monday after Barack Obama called for tough new regulations for broadband that would protect net neutrality, saying they were ?stunned? by the president?s proposals.

< <http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/10/cable-companies-obama-net-neutrality-proposals-fcc-fight> http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/10/cable-companies-obama-net-neutrality-proposals-fcc-fight>

 

Obama backs net neutrality plan

Open net access should be seen as a basic right that all Americans should enjoy, President Obama has said.

< <http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-29990453> http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-29990453>

 

Obama Asks F.C.C. to Adopt Tough Net Neutrality Rules

In his most direct effort yet to influence the debate about the Internet?s future, President Obama said on Monday that a free and open Internet was as critical to Americans? lives as electricity and telephone service and should be regulated like those utilities to protect consumers.

< <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/technology/obama-net-neutrality-fcc.html> http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/technology/obama-net-neutrality-fcc.html>

 

Why Obama waited so long to take a stand on net neutrality

President Obama's bold statement on net neutrality is pleasing many consumer advocates. The president's proposal on Monday was even more aggressive than what the New York Times has endorsed. But it's also coming way late: The Federal Communications Commission is supposed to decide how to regulate Internet service providers by year's end. With the holidays coming up, that's not a lot of time.

< <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/11/10/why-obama-waited-so-long-to-take-a-stand-on-net-neutrality/> http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/11/10/why-obama-waited-so-long-to-take-a-stand-on-net-neutrality/>

 

In Net Neutrality Push, Internet Giants on the Sidelines

Silicon Valley?s giant companies have been quiet lately on the question of whether the government should protect an open Internet, which they?ve previously argued is vital to innovation. Don?t count on them staking out a stronger position even though President Obama has stepped into the fray, and Washington looks to be gearing up for an epic battle over the rules that govern the Internet.

< <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/technology/in-net-neutrality-debate-tech-giants-on-the-sidelines.html> http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/technology/in-net-neutrality-debate-tech-giants-on-the-sidelines.html>

 

Obama?s Call for Net Neutrality Sets Up Fight Over Rules

When President Obama argued on Monday for rules to protect an open Internet, he said the regulations should be strong. Just not too strong.

< <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/technology/call-for-open-internet-sets-up-fight-over-rules.html> http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/technology/call-for-open-internet-sets-up-fight-over-rules.html>

 

A Super-Simple Way to Understand the Net Neutrality Debate

It?s one of the most important policy disputes that will determine the future of the Internet, and now President Obama has formally weighed in in favor of so-called net neutrality. What has been a long-simmering battle between telecommunications and tech lobbyists is now likely to step to the front of public debate.

< <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/upshot/a-super-simple-way-to-understand-the-net-neutrality-debate.html> http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/upshot/a-super-simple-way-to-understand-the-net-neutrality-debate.html>

 

A Free and Open Internet: What You Need to Know About Net Neutrality

The Internet is the cornerstone of innovation. It should be open and free -- an equal playing field for entrepreneurs, writers, activists, businesses, for all of us to share ideas and unlock new possibilities that will define our future. President Obama is committed to preserving that freedom, and that is why he laid out a new plan to protect it.

< <http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/11/10/free-and-open-internet-what-you-need-know-about-net-neutrality> http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/11/10/free-and-open-internet-what-you-need-know-about-net-neutrality>

 

President Obama Urges FCC to Implement Stronger Net Neutrality Rules

President Obama today asked the Federal Communications Commission to take up the strongest possible rules to protect net neutrality, the principle that says Internet service providers (ISPs) should treat all internet traffic equally.

< <http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/11/10/president-obama-urges-fcc-implement-stronger-net-neutrality-rules> http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/11/10/president-obama-urges-fcc-implement-stronger-net-neutrality-rules>

 

 

------

David Goldstein

 

email:  <mailto:david at goldsteinreport.com> david at goldsteinreport.com

 

web:    <http://goldsteinreport.com/> http://goldsteinreport.com/ /  <http://davidgoldstein.tel/> http://davidgoldstein.tel/

Twitter:  <https://twitter.com/goldsteinreport> https://twitter.com/goldsteinreport

 

phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9663 3430 - 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 Flannery

 

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