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 *************************************************** ICANN: Community Comment Invited on "Final Version" of GTLD Registries Stakeholder Group Petition and Charter http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-11may09-en.htm Things you didn?t realize were on the ICANN site: Part 4 http://blog.icann.org/2009/05/things-you-didnt-realize-were-on-the-icann-site-part-4/ au: Bottle Domains unauthorised transfers http://www.auda.org.au/news-archive/auda-12052009/ Watch Out, Scammers About - Asian Domain Name Emails http://mondaq.com/article.asp?articleid=79524 Agassi, Graf file suit over Internet domain names http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/13/agassi-graf-file-suit-over-internet-domain-names/ Apple VP Ive Loses Domain Name Bid http://www.macworld.com/article/140557/2009/05/ive_domains.html NetRegistry's CeBIT nurses cause Twitter uproar http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/soa/CeBIT-nurses-cause-Twitter-uproar/0,130061733,339296399,00.htm Naughty nurses draw fire at CeBIT Australia http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,28348,25479371-5014239,00.html Pay-Per-Click Web Advertisers Combat Costly Fraud http://nytimes.com/2009/05/13/business/media/13adco.html ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Community Comment Invited on "Final Version" of GTLD Registries Stakeholder Group Petition and Charter As part of the comprehensive GNSO Improvements effort, the ICANN Boarddirected community members to submit Petitions and Charters for the four new GNSO Stakeholder Groups (SGs). On 4 March, the Registries Constituency of the GNSO (RyC) submitted its original petition and charter proposal for the gTLD Registries Stakeholder Group (RySG) in the Contracted Parties House of the GNSO. On 24 April, the RyC submitted the "final version" of its petition for approval of Articles of Operation for the RySG. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-11may09-en.htm Things you didn?t realize were on the ICANN site: Part 4 One of the most consistent complaints we hear from the community is the lack of ICANN materials - reports, announcements, webpages and so on - in languages other than English. http://blog.icann.org/2009/05/things-you-didnt-realize-were-on-the-icann-site-part-4/ ICANN.gone? Internet Battle Set for this Fall ICANN?s Joint Project Agreement (JPA) with the U.S. government ends in September, and already countries around the world are asking that control of the domain name system be pulled from the U.S. There are sure to be big battles ahead. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/05/13/icanngone-internet-battle-set-for-this-fall/ ICANN preps for multilingual interwibble Paul Twomey says the Internet will see massive change as hundreds of millions of people worldwide log on as first time surfers, demanding domains in their own languages. http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1137281/icann-preps-multilingual-interwibble CADNA Agrees on the Need to Reconsider ICANN?s Role The Coalition Against Domain Name Abuse (CADNA) welcomes European Union Commissioner for Information Society and Media Vivian Reding?s comments on Internet governance and the need to consider alternatives from the current set up with ICANN. http://www.cadna.org/en/newsroom/press-releases/cadna-agrees EU Trying to Wrest Control of Internet From U.S. European Union officials are working to pry control of the Internet away from the United States. http://www.thetrumpet.com/index.php?q=6167.4595.0.0 ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** au: Bottle Domains unauthorised transfers On 8 May 2009, Australian Style Pty Ltd trading as Bottle Domains sent an email to its resellers and customers advising that their domain names would be transferred to another registrar, known as Bottle Domains Pty Ltd. http://www.auda.org.au/news-archive/auda-12052009/ Campaign for .?? (China) domain kicks off First, we found Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao on Facebook. Then, there was the week-long China 2.0 Tour in November. And it looks like China's fascination with dominating the internet is showing no signs of slowing. Last week, the national campaign for the use of the new domain name, ".?? (China)", finally took off in Beijing. http://shanghaiist.com/2009/05/12/campaign_for_china_domain_kicks_off.php Denmark's ccTLD, .DK, Latest Member of One Million Registrations Club Earlier this week, either Sunday or Monday, Denmark?s ccTLD, .DK, passed the one million registrations mark according to statistics on the DK Hostmaster website. http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/05/11/denmarks-cctld-dk-latest-member-of-one-million-registrations-club/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/denmark-s-cctld-.dk-latest-member-of-one-million-registrations-club.html Record number of new .ie domain registrations in Q1 2009 The IE Domain Registry (IEDR), the managed registry for Ireland?s internet address .ie today reported that the first quarter of 2009 had the highest level of domain registrations, compared to any other quarter to date. http://www.iedr.ie/NEWS/2009/News-20090513.php .IE domain registrations boom The Irish registry, IE Domain Registry (IEDR), reported this week that the first quarter of 2009 saw the highest number of .IE domain name registrations for any quarter to date and defying the global financial crisis. http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/05/13/ie-domain-registrations-boom/ .ie Refuses Adult Related Domains It wasn?t that long ago that Network Solutions was the sole registry of .com domains, which refused to register the ?seven dirty words.? http://www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2389 TelFeeder Populates .Tel Domain Names A new service called TelFeeder.com has launched, helping owners of multiple .tel domain names quickly upload data. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/05/13/telfeeder-populates-tel-domain-names/ Dot TK Claims 15 Million Registrations... Really? Dot TK, the registry for .TK domain names, has issued a news release claiming they have registered their 15 millionth domain name. There is something fishy about this claim. To have 15 million domain names registered would make them the largest ccTLD surpassing .CN (China)?s 13.6 million registrations and .DE (Germany)?s 12.8 million. http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/05/11/dot-tk-claims-15-million-registrations-really/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/dot-tk-claims-15-million-registrations...-really.html Dot TK Registers 15 Millionth Domain Name Dot TK, the registry for .TK domain names, today announced that they have registered their 15 millionth domain name. In the last couple of weeks, the company claims that it has seen a growth of new registrations of more than 40%. http://www.webhosting.info/news/1/dot-tk-registers-15-millionth-domain-name_0511094831.htm ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** More money and staff a must for DHS to take lead role for cybersecurity The Homeland Security Department needs more money and employees to support a planned increase in responsibility for governmentwide cybersecurity, leading some security specialists to speculate that the National Security Agency will continue to play a large role in federal cyber operations. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090513_8393.php Traditional War Strategy In The Cyber Age As U.S. military and government officials consider the best approach to fighting cyber threats, they are considering the relevance of historic approaches to national security dangers such as nuclear weapons and terrorism. Herbert Lin, chief scientist at the National Research Council's computer science and telecommunications board, said a range of topics are currently being weighed such as "strategy, escalation, and deterrence, as well as issues related to doctrine and employment policy for cyber weapons." http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/05/traditional-war-strategy-in-th.php Cyber attack could bring US military response The United States' top commanding officer for the space and cyber domains told reporters last week that a cyber attack could merit a more conventional military response. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/05/13/us_cyber_attack_response/ Tracking Cyberspies Through the Web Wilderness For old-fashioned detectives, the problem was always acquiring information. For the cybersleuth, hunting evidence in the data tangle of the Internet, the problem is different. http://nytimes.com/2009/05/12/science/12cyber.html As Hacking Hits Home, China Strengthens Cyber Laws [IDG] A year ago, when a Time Magazine reporter told Tan Dailin that he'd been identified as someone who may have hacked the Pentagon, he gasped and asked, "Will the FBI send special agents out to arrest me?" The answer, it turns out, was, "No, the Chinese government will." http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/164712/.html http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/051109-as-hacking-hits-home-china.html http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9132875 Denic, BSI, Eco test DNSSEC influence on internet security [sub req'd] German domain name registrar Denic, German internet economy association Eco Verband and the German federal office for IT security BSI cooperate to launch a joint domain name security initiative. http://www.telecompaper.com/news/article.aspx?cid=670216 ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Watch Out, Scammers About - Asian Domain Name Emails auDA, the Australian domain name administrator, has warned that .au domain name holders are being targeted with unsolicited emails from companies that appear to be based in China and Hong Kong. The emails generally state that the Asian company operates a domain registration service and has received an application for the recipient's domain name in an Asian domain (such as .cn or .hk), with the suggestion that the Australian domain name holder should register their name in that Asian domain, to make sure that it is protected. http://mondaq.com/article.asp?articleid=79524 Agassi, Graf file suit over Internet domain names Companies representing tennis stars Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf have filed lawsuits over the alleged use of their names in Internet site domain names, alleging trademark infringement and cybersquatting. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/13/agassi-graf-file-suit-over-internet-domain-names/ Apple VP Ive Loses Domain Name Bid Apple, like most big companies, is pretty vigilant about protecting its intellectual property via copyright, patents, and trademarks. Unfortunately, that policy doesn't seem to have extended to the names of some of its notable employees. Jonathan Ive, Apple's senior vice president of industrial design, has lost a bid to gain control of the domain names using his name. http://www.macworld.com/article/140557/2009/05/ive_domains.html http://www.pcworld.com/article/164758/.html http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/051209-apple-vp-ive-loses-domain.html IPod designer's private nature costs him jonathanive.com Jonathan Ive, designer of the iMac, iPod and iPhone, has lost a claim for domain names carrying his name because his name is not a trade mark and because he shuns publicity. His name is not used enough in commerce to be protected, an arbitrator has ruled. http://out-law.com/page-10004 Tucows Gets ?Victory? in Domain Dispute Tucows appears to be joining a chorus of domain name owners who are bypassing UDRP and filing lawsuits in response to domain disputes. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/05/12/tucows-gets-victory-in-domain-dispute/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** NetRegistry's CeBIT nurses cause Twitter uproar Domain name specialist NetRegistry has come under fire for using women dressed as nurses to promote its services at Australia's largest trade fair CeBIT this week. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/soa/CeBIT-nurses-cause-Twitter-uproar/0,130061733,339296399,00.htm Naughty nurses draw fire at CeBIT Australia A ploy to attract attention with women dressed as nurses has backfired on an exhibitor at Australia's largest technology trade show. http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,28348,25479371-5014239,00.html Parava Transition to Hover Has Started The wait is almost over for Parava Networks? customers who haven?t been able to access their domain names in a couple weeks. As I write, domains are being transferred to Tucows? Hover.com. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/05/13/parava-transition-to-hover-has-started/ Parava To Give Tucows? Hover Brand a Boost Domain Name Wire has learned that Tucows will be taking over the management of domain names previously registered at Parava Networks, also known as 10-domains.com. The official announcement is forthcoming from ICANN. Tucows CEO Elliot Noss declined to comment for this story. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/05/12/parava-to-give-tucows-hover-brand-a-boost/ ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Pay-Per-Click Web Advertisers Combat Costly Fraud Given the state of the automobile industry and the economy, it is understandably a rough time to run a company called NewCars.com, a subsidiary of Cars.com. http://nytimes.com/2009/05/13/business/media/13adco.html Thought Convergences Releases Statement about Westerdal Termination Thought Convergence, parent company of TrafficZ, has released a statement about the termination of Jay Westerdal. The statement claims that Westerdal?s termination is not related to a dispute between Thought Convergence and Westerdal over the acquisition of DomainTools and Spry. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/05/13/thought-convergences-releases-statement-about-westerdal-termination/ Thought Convergence Sues Westerdal Earlier today we reported about a riff between Thought Convergence and Jay Westerdal, founder of Name Intelligence. I was just tipped off to a lawsuit filed by Thought Convergence against Westerdal earlier this month. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/05/13/thought-convergence-sues-westerdal/ Jay Westerdal and Thought Convergence Part Ways Thought Convergence, parent company of TrafficZ, acquired Name Intelligence LLC last year. The acquisition included the popular DomainTools.com site. Westerdal remains with Name Intelligence, Inc. a holding company. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/05/13/jay-westerdal-and-thought-convergence-part-ways/ Jay Westerdal dismissed from Thought Convergence Though we just broke the news of Jay Westerdal's dismissal from Thought Convergence today, we have now learned that Thought Convergence had already filed a lawsuit against Westerdal, his father Per and multiple other parties 12 days ago. http://dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2009/dailyposts/05-13-09.htm Top Tips for Website Flips - The same strategies that you implement to make decisions on which domain names to purchase, are transferable when considering developed websites This may seem like an obvious statement, but the same strategies that you implement to make decisions on which domain names to purchase, are transferable when considering developed websites with established traffic. The idea is akin to buying property on speculation. With capital and a small, but knowledgeable team of web developers, you can put equity and worth into a ramshackle website, and in turn, ?flip? for profit some time down the road. http://www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2388 The Allure of Adult Domains The old adage ?sex sells? is as tried and true in the world of domain names as it is in selling beer, cars, and all other sorts of consumer products. http://www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2387 Ron Sheridan Joins OCTANE360 Ron Sheridan, the long time business development director at DomainSponsor, who was featured in our February Cover Story, has joined a new Los Angeles based technology-driven marketing company called OCTANE360 as their Strategic Advisor. Sheridan will help build key relationships within the domain monetization industry for OCTANE360. http://dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2009/dailyposts/05-11-09.htm ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** How much energy does the internet really use? A lot - although exactly how much is still not clear. The question is becoming a hot topic, not least thanks to a Guardian report in which senior officials voiced concerns over the growing financial and environmental cost of powering vast internet data centres as it expands. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/may/14/internet-energy-savings Wolfram Alpha: What Google's New Rival Knows -- and Doesn't Clever presentation, but a weak database: The soon-to-be-launched Wolfram Alpha search engine is already being touted as the "Google killer." SPIEGEL ONLINE has tested a preliminary version. The conclusion: It knows a lot about aspirin, a little about culture -- and it thinks German Chancellor Angela Merkel's political party is an airport. http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,624065,00.html Google refines search options Google has launched new ways for its millions of users to narrow their search results to help them get what they are looking for. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article6277461.ece Google Revs Up Some New Search Features Google unveiled a grab bag of enhancements to its Web search engine and new experimental features on Tuesday that aim to keep the company ahead of rivals. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/12/google-revs-up-search-features/ Google Adds Menu, Plans Other Changes Google Inc. Tuesday said it would add a new menu to its search-results page to help users refine results by a broader range of variables. It also announced an online service that compiles search results into a spreadsheet. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124216634282612503.html Google unveils new search tools Google said in its quest to create the perfect search engine, it cannot afford to rest on its laurels. The company's comments came at an event billed as a "state of the union" on search as it unveiled new products that aim to push search in a new direction. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8047076.stm Google adds new filters, visualized results Google introduced three new enhancements to its search engine Tuesday, giving searchers new ways to filter results and adding new types of data to the search results themselves. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10238817-93.html The paywall is history: media must explore new revenue models Despite all the dire news about the state of the newspaper industry, we are actually in the middle of a Golden Age for news consumers who can surf the net, use search engines, access the best stories from around the world, and be able to comment, interact and form communities. Journalism plays an indispensable role in our demo?cracy, but it's important to remember that the future of journalism is not ?dependent on the future of newspapers. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/may/11/newspapers-web-media-pay-wall Leading the charge: Murdoch seeks to charge for newspaper content When Rupert Murdoch indicates a shift in strategy, the rest of the media industry takes notice. So the News Corp boss's clear signal last week that his newspapers, such as the Sun and the Times, could start charging for online access over the next year gave fresh momentum to a debate that is dominating internal newspaper discussions. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/may/11/rupert-murdoch-charging-online-news The free genie is out of the bottle Publishers may be examining how to charge for online news, but the free ride is far from over. Most everyday web users have enjoyed 15 years of free news, sport and entertainment content ? and that won't change overnight. Any site offering the same mass-market content found elsewhere should beware of raising the paywall ? readers are more likely to decamp to an alternative news source than to whip out their credit card. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/may/11/paying-online-news-content Under Pressure, Craigslist to Remove ?Erotic? Ads Craigslist, the Web?s largest classified advertising site, said on Wednesday that it would close its erotic services category, which critics have said is a forum that fosters prostitution and other illegal activities. http://nytimes.com/2009/05/14/technology/companies/14craigslist.html Craigslist to close erotic services category Pressure from US officials has forced classified advertising website Craigslist to pull the shutters down on its controversial sex adverts in favour of a new, closely-monitored system. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/may/13/craigslist-erotic-services Craigslist drops erotic services ads after Brisman murder The online classifieds website Craigslist has dropped its "erotic services" ads following a high-profile murder in which police say the killer used the website to find his victim. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article6284289.ece Craigslist to drop 'erotic services' classifieds [AP] A month after the killing of a masseuse who advertised on Craigslist, the classified ad site announced plans Wednesday to eliminate its "erotic services" category and screen all submissions to a new "adult services" section before they are posted. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/05/13/national/a075419D57.DTL http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/8505990 Official: Craigslist to replace 'blatant Internet brothel' Craigslist will replace its controversial online "erotic services" listings with a section where ads are individually checked by Craigslist employees before they are posted, according to Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/05/13/craigslist.sex.ads/ Craigslist ditches erotic adverts The US classified ads website Craigslist says it will remove its erotic services category, following claims it promotes prostitution. Law enforcement officials have said prostitutes and clients use the site for illegal sexual encounters. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8049101.stm Craigslist Caves, Agrees to Police Red Light District In an abrupt about face, Craigslist has announced it will take down its "erotic services" ad category. In its place will be a new adult services section that will be screened by Craigslist staff before publication, according to a statement made by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who is head of a multistate attorney general task force investigating the controversial issue. Craigslist apparently caved in to the demands for self-censorship despite myriad legal opinions that it was breaking no laws. http://ecommercetimes.com/story/Craigslist-Caves-Agrees-to-Police-Red-Light-District-67062.html ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Hate goes viral on social network sites - report Militants and hate groups increasingly use social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace and YouTube as propaganda tools to recruit new members, according to a report by the Simon Wiesenthal Center. http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-39603820090513 http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/2410151/ Simon Wiesenthal Centre: Facebook used to 'promote hatred of Jews' Facebook was under increasing fire tonight for allegedly hosting pages promoting hatred against Jews after a report found that militants and hate groups were increasingly using social networking sites as propaganda tools to recruit new members. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6282500.ece Porn name game leaves tweeps exposed A web security expert is warning people to be careful with personal information they divulge on social networking sites, after the latest suspected identity fraud quest hit Twitter. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/13/2569392.htm Banish Twitter Spam by Following Three Simple Rules As the amount of followers you have on Twitter increases, you might find yourself dealing with an increase in Twitter spam. Twitter spam derives from people who take advantage of you following them by sending you unwanted direct messages or merely by following you with the express intent of upping their follower count (meaning, they have no sincere interest in your tweets). http://www.pcworld.com/article/164782/.html ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ Japan under pressure to clamp down on child pornography Japan has come under renewed pressure to clamp down on its huge market in child pornography following the launch of a campaign to ban a video game in which players earn points by raping schoolgirls and forcing them to have abortions. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/11/japan-child-pornography Cyberbullying, more than just "messing around" If may affect as many as half of U.S. teenagers, can be as bad or worse than being beaten up in the schoolyard, and is so relentless and emotionally devastating that suicide can sometimes be the result. http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSTRE54A3X420090511 http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE54A37I20090511 http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/2403821/ US Congress Sees Web Safety Push Cynthia Logan, whose 18-year-old daughter took her own life after a nude picture of her was passed around by e-mail, will join Miss Utah: Kayla Barclay; Internet safety expert Parry Aftab; and Mary Heston, director of Teenangels & Wired Moms on Wednesday for a Capitol Hill conversation about "sexting" (sending sexually charged messages or images via text message), cyber-bullying, and youth behavior on the online marketplace Craigslist.org and Internet gaming sites. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/05/congress-sees-web-safety-push.php Cyberbullying Affects Half Of US Teens Cyberbullying is an increasing problem affecting up to 50 percent of U.S. teens, with consequences that can be as bad or worse than being beaten up in a school yard, according to a Reuters report. http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1686652/cyberbullying_affects_half_of_us_teens/ au: Beat the bullies: a web fix for children Young victims of cyber bullying can use friendships on social networking websites to help protect themselves, an inquiry into bullying has heard. The NSW parliamentary inquiry is looking into the effect of bullying among schoolchildren and young people, and how it can be prevented. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/05/11/1241893916189.html Technology fuelling sexting craze A social researcher says sexting among Australian teens has taken off in the last five years and is now involving more explicit images and younger kids. http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Technology/2009/05/13/Technology_fuelling_sexting_craze_331599.html nz: Council launches ride-share website If you fancy carpooling but cannot stand death-metal music or strong perfume, a new website will match you with the perfect person to share a ride with. ... Netsafe executive director Martin Cocker said it was impossible to make any website completely safe, but the council had done well to promote cyber safety. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/2405858/ ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** uk: Call for ISPs to police users in battle against piracy Some of the biggest names in British entertainment will tomorrow today call for Britain's internet service providers to police their customers' activity to stem the flood of online piracy and safeguard an estimated 800,000 jobs in the creative economy. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/may/12/stopping-online-piracy UK conference calls for government action on file-sharing A group representing the UK's creative industries today called for the UK government to intervene to prevent the spread of illegal file-sharing of copyrighted content such as music and film. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6275564.ece Call to 'disconnect UK file-sharers' Persistent illegal file-sharers should be cut off from the net, an alliance of UK creative industries will tell the government on Tuesday. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8044251.stm UK ISPs reject 'policing role' Internet service providers (ISPs) have rejected calls for them to police the net and cut off users who repeatedly file-share material unlawfully. The umbrella group that represents ISPs said disconnecting users would be a "disproportionate response". http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8046028.stm UK ISPs refuse to play Internet copyright cops Warnings just aren't good enough. That was the message delivered at a London conference today by a group of UK creative industries, which are demanding that ISPs start disconnecting users accused of repeated online copyright infringement. But the response from ISPs was clear: the creative industries can just shut their collective pie-hole until they do a better job of licensing legal content. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/05/uk-isps-refuse-to-play-internet-copyright-cops.ars France Approves Crackdown on Internet Piracy The French National Assembly on Tuesday approved a plan by President Nicolas Sarkozy to punish digital pirates with the possible suspension of their Internet connections, a little more than a month after the same body had rejected the proposal in a surprise vote. http://nytimes.com/2009/05/13/technology/internet/13net.html French 'net piracy' bill passed A controversial French bill which could disconnect people caught downloading content illegally three times has been passed by the National Assembly. The legislation, backed by President Nicolas Sarkozy, was surprisingly voted down by the Assembly last month. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8046564.stm France to crack down on internet piracy France is set to introduce the world?s most draconian laws against internet piracy, after parliamentarians voted on Tuesday to give the government powers to cut off offenders? internet access. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2830123c-3f26-11de-ae4f-00144feabdc0.html France passes three strikes law against filesharers French filesharers are in the crosshairs of the country's police once again, after politicians voted for a controversial "three strikes" law that could see alleged copyright infringers disconnected from the web without legal recourse. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/may/13/france-three-strikes France ignores EU and passes antipiracy law The French National Assembly ignored a vote last week by the European Parliament and approved its "Cr?ation et Internet" three-strikes bill on Tuesday. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10238912-93.html France set for showdown with EU after passing 3 strikes law The French government today got its act together, herded all of its UMP members of parliament into the National Assembly's h?micycle, and voted through the controversial graduated response law that will disconnect repeat online copyright infringers. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/05/france-set-for-showdown-with-eu-after-passing-3-strikes-law.ars Spain, Italy, France top illicit file-sharing report With BitTorrent the subject of so much news recently, including the high-profile case against torrent-tracking site The Pirate Bay, it should come as no surprise that a recent report from BayTSP has identified BitTorrent as the number one source for downloading pirated content on the Internet. Along with eDonkey, the two are responsible for 90 percent of the infringement of BayTSP clients' copyrighted content. http://arstechnica.com/media/news/2009/05/spain-italy-france-top-illicit-file-sharing-report.ars Q&A: Behind the BBC's iPlayer During peak hours, BBC iPlayer pumps out 12GB of data every second, and 7 petabytes of data every month. It is insanely popular on Apple's iPhone--but mostly after midnight--and the next version of iPlayer will land this year with some exciting new features. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/0,1000000097,39650936,00.htm http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10237793-94.html Hulu's tug of war with TV Online video site Hulu trumpeted its ascension to the media big time a few months back with a dash of sardonic humor. In its debut TV commercial, in which Alec Baldwin mocks the audience's addiction to the very shows he creates as a fictional network executive, the site calls itself "an evil plot to destroy the world." The joke is uneasily close to the truth for some in the television business. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-hulu11-2009may11,0,5771665.story au: AFACT drops claim against iiNet In an ongoing court saga, copyright holders dropped a portion of their legal case involving accusations that ISP, iiNet, has breached copyright. http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/302836/ Real Networks Sues Studios on Antitrust Grounds Escalating its already simmering court battle with Hollywood, Real Networks has expanded its lawsuit against the six major Hollywood movie studios and the DVD Copy Control Association, a cross-industry consortium, in federal court in northern California. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/real-networks-sues-studios-on-antitrust-grounds/ ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Vodafone abolishes mobile roaming charges Vodafone UK, the British arm of the world's largest mobile phone company, will announce on Thursday that it is abolishing roaming charges to its customers for three months, starting June 1. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6282350.ece ********************** SPAM ********************** Image Spam Makes a Comeback Spammers have turned back the clock and are recycling a years-old tactic by planting their messages in images, a security researcher warned last week. http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9132600 http://www.pcworld.com/article/164653/.html Researchers: image spam making unexpected return IBM's security researchers say that image-based spam is on the rise once again, despite the fact that it requires a lot of effort on the user's part to complete a deal. With image spam back, does this mean that PDF and MP3 spam will soon make an appearance again too? http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2009/05/researchers-image-spam-making-unexpected-return.ars ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** Paris court rules that eBay is not liable for sale of fake L'Oreal products The world's largest online auctioneer, eBay, was today claiming a "victory for consumers" after a court in Paris ruled that it was not liable for counterfeit L'Oreal perfumes for sale on its website. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/may/13/ebay-loreal-court-paris-counterfeit French Court Clears eBay in Selling Fake Goods A French court on Wednesday rejected a claim from the cosmetics company L?Or?al that the online auctioneer eBay was profiting from sales of counterfeit perfumes. The court said that eBay was making a reasonable effort to keep fake goods off its site. http://nytimes.com/2009/05/14/technology/companies/14loreal.html Ebay claims victory in luxury fakes dispute Ebay has won an important legal battle in a long-running war with luxury brand owners over the sale of counterfeit goods on its auction site, potentially paving the way for a more united approach towards fighting fakes. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/14e8c3de-3fe6-11de-9ced-00144feabdc0.html Pay-Per-Click Web Advertisers Combat Costly Fraud Given the state of the automobile industry and the economy, it is understandably a rough time to run a company called NewCars.com, a subsidiary of Cars.com. http://nytimes.com/2009/05/13/business/media/13adco.html us: Prosecution: Dead Girl?s Parents Must Be Heard at Cyberbullying Sentencing Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles are urging a U.S. district judge to allow the parents of a deceased girl to speak at the sentencing hearing of Lori Drew on Monday. http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/05/prosecution-parents-should-be-allowed-to-speak-at-cyberbullying-hearing/ Credit card code to combat fraud A credit card with a built-in display is being tested by Visa with the aim of reducing online fraud. The Emue Card generates and displays a unique code each time it is used. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8046492.stm au: Push for web scammers to be 'blocked' Ipswich Councillor and Australian Consumer Watch spokesman Paul Tully has called on the Federal Government to block the activities of international web scammers. http://www.qt.com.au/story/2009/05/12/push-for-web-scammers-to-be-blocked/ ************************** PRIVACY ************************** Google Street View faces more privacy critics in Japan and Greece Google is running into problems with privacy advocates in Japan and Greece over its Google Maps feature, Street View. Google plans to re-shoot Street View photographs in the twelve Japanese cities currently available in Street View after privacy complaints. At issue was the fact that Google's Street View cameras were mounted so high they were shooting over private fences and into Japanese homes. Google says it will lower its cameras by 16 inches for its re-shoot and for all future Street View photographs in Japan. Street View cameras are mounted on cars and take photographs with 360-degree views of the surrounding area. http://computerworld.com.au/article/303086/ http://pcworld.idg.com.au/article/303086/ Google Street View has to reshoot in Japan For Google Street View, Japanese version, it's not a wrap. It seems to be more of a wrap on the knuckles. Google has received so many complaints about the height of its ambition, I am sorry, I mean the height of its cameras, that it will re-shoot all of its Japanese footage again. With cameras of a more modest scope. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10240459-71.html Greece bans Google Street View Google's controversial Street View mapping service has been banned in Greece until the company comes up with extra privacy guarantees. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6276322.ece Google Street View banned from Greece Highlighting a growing fear among Greeks of the threat posed by "creeping" new technologies, Athens's data protection agency has prohibited vehicles manned by Google's Street View drivers from the country. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/may/12/google-street-view-banned-greece Google faces Greek Street View ban Greek authorities have barred Google from taking photographs of its streets over fears about the privacy implications of the search giant's Street View service. The Greek Data Protection Authority (DPA) has requested more information from Google. http://out-law.com/page-10007 Greece blocks Google Street View Google?s controversial mapping service, Street View, which stitches together photos of public roads for online viewing, has been blocked by the Greek authorities pending further consultation. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/greece/5314225/Greece-blocks-Google-Street-View.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** A push to legalize Internet gambling in the US The online gambling industry is waging a campaign in Congress to legalize Internet betting, arguing that it is here to stay and can be regulated and taxed. But opponents are raising moral objections. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gambling13-2009may13,0,6672183.story ********************************* COMMENT, MICROSOFT & DEVELOPMENTS ********************************* Yahoo: Taking an open-minded approach A rather unlikely shadow hung over Yahoo's eighth Open Hack day in London last weekend, in the gaudy, flashing shape of GeoCities, the cult DIY website network that Yahoo is closing later this year. "They are destroying the cave paintings of the web," cried academic and Hack Day regular Tom Morris. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/may/14/yahoo-david-filo Norwegian ISP: dig your own fiber trench, save $400 How did a Norwegian electricity company become the biggest fiber-to-the-home provider in the country? By adopting an innovative business model, offering faster speeds at identical prices, and?most unusual of all?letting customers save a few hundred bucks by digging their own fiber trenches through their backyards. We spoke to the company about the willingness that Norwegians have shown to get involved in laying their own infrastructure. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/05/norwegian-isp-dig-your-own-fiber-trench-save-400.ars Europe Fines Intel a Record ?1.06b in Antitrust Case The European Commission fined Intel a record ?1.06 billion (US$1.45 Billion) on Wednesday for abusing its dominance in the computer chip market to exclude its only serious rival, Advanced Micro Devices. http://nytimes.com/2009/05/14/business/global/14compete.html Intel fined ?1bn for breaking competition law The giant chipmaker Intel has been ordered to pay a ?1.06bn (?950m) fine to the European commission for anticompetitive practices involving its rival AMD and payments offered to PC makers for using its chips. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/may/13/intel-european-commission Brussels fines Intel record $1.4bn Intel, the world?s largest chipmaker, has been fined a record ?1.06bn ($1.44bn) by Europe?s competition authorities for abusing its dominant market position and using illegal sales practices to encourage computer manufacturers to carry its micro-processor chips. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/404568ba-3fa1-11de-9ced-00144feabdc0.html A Ruling Against Intel, Unlikely to Drag It Down European regulators have spent close to nine years investigating whether Intel, the world?s largest chip maker, illegally hampered competitors in its dealings with computer makers and retailers. And on Wednesday, they finally reached a conclusion, punishing Intel with a record fine of ?1.06 billion ($1.45 billion) for abusing its dominant position in the computer chip market. http://nytimes.com/2009/05/14/technology/business-computing/14chip.html E.U. Fines Intel for Antitrust Violations The world's biggest semiconductor maker yesterday was fined a record $1.45 billion by European regulators for allegedly using its dominance to edge out rivals, a decision that has cast a spotlight on similar investigations by U.S. antitrust watchdogs. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/13/AR2009051300590.html EU slaps a record fine on Intel Computer chipmaker Intel has been fined a record ?1.06bn ($1.45bn; ?948m) by the European Commission for anti-competitive practices. It dwarfs the ?497m fine levied on Microsoft in 2004 for abusing its dominant market position. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8047546.stm ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Tsunami 'could annihilate data cables' to Australia Australian tsunami scientists will meet officials from the federal Attorney-General's office next month to discuss research vital for understanding risks to the nation's undersea data links. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25463622-5013040,00.html United by airwave usage, Google, telecoms, advocates say efficiency required as needs increase In a rare show of unity over national communications policy, Google, the wireless industry and consumer advocates have come together to support a bill that would require the federal government to take a complete inventory of the national airwaves to determine what spectrum bands are being used, how and by whom. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-tc-biz-google-airwaves-0507may07,0,3961109.story ********************************** ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR CHILD PORN ********************************** US judge delays trial for man accused of sexually exploiting Australian girl [AAP] A US judge has agreed to delay a jury trial for a California man accused of sexually exploiting an Australian girl over the internet, and possessing pornographic photos and videos of her. http://www.theage.com.au/world/us-judge-delays-trial-for-man-accused-of-sexually-exploiting-australian-girl-20090513-b2jn.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2009 --------- David Goldstein email: goldstein_david§yahoo.com.au web: http://davidgoldstein.tel/ http://goldsteinreport.com/ phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home mail: 4/3 Abbott Street COOGEE NSW 2034 AUSTRALIA "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 Wed May 13 2009 - 21:36:47 UTC
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