[DNS] domain name news - 16 July

[DNS] domain name news - 16 July

From: David Goldstein <goldstein_david§yahoo.com.au>
Date: Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:29:21 -0700 (PDT)
Don't forget to check out http://www.auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the archive of the last 3 months of the news.


And see my website - http://GoldsteinReport.com/ - for daily updates in between postings.


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The domain name news is supported by auDA

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Public Comment: WIPO Proposal for Modification of UDRP Rules to Allow ?Paperless? UDRP Proceedings
http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-13jul09-en.htm

Internet regulator mulls cybersquatting block [AP]
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/07/13/financial/f135523D73.DTL

Do We Need .More .Top .Level .Domains?
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/do-we-need-more-top-level-domains/

Brokering Peace Between Brand Owners and Domainers
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/brokering-peace-between-brand-owners-and-domainers/

The Best Internet Addresses Will Cost a Cool .Million
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/the-best-internet-addresses-will-cost-a-cool-million/

European ICANN reform proposal draws industry ire [IDG]
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/071309-european-icann-reform-proposal-draws.html

UK, not North Korea, source of DDOS attacks, researcher says [IDG]
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135492/UK_not_North_Korea_source_of_DDOS_attacks_researcher_says


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DOMAIN NAMES
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 - ICANN
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Public Comment: WIPO Proposal for Modification of UDRP Rules to Allow ?Paperless? UDRP Proceedings
The implementation rules for the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) document the procedures for the implementation of UDRP proceedings. ICANN has received a proposal from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) regarding suggested changes to the implementation rules to allow for a paperless UDRP proceeding, or ?eUDRP.? WIPO does not propose any changes to the UDRP itself.
http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-13jul09-en.htm

Public Comment: Proposed ICANN Meeting Dates 2011 - 2013
While ICANN continues to examine the overall structure of its meeting dates and geographic rotation, it is important to move forward with future planning. In an effort to secure the dates for ICANN meetings through 2013, Staff recommendations have been developed for Public review and comment. Approving the meeting dates is important to prevent conflicts with other community events and to allow all participants sufficient time to plan their travel and attendance.
http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-13jul09-en.htm

The New York Times and new gTLD roadshow
ICANN?s new gTLD team are on the road at the moment, spreading the word about the historic expansion of the Internet?s domain name space that we as an organization have been working on for four years or so.
http://blog.icann.org/2009/07/the-new-york-times-and-new-gtld-roadshow/

ICANN Video Top Ten by Kieren McCarthy
As many of you will hopefully be aware, we have new video software in place and most visible on our video webpage at, yes, http://icann.org/video/. Videos are uploaded and tagged and so more easily discoverable.
http://blog.icann.org/2009/07/video-top-ten/

Internet regulator mulls cybersquatting block [AP]
The Internet's key oversight agency is considering a centralized database of trademark holders, to cut down on questionable registrations of new Internet addresses. Officials say the mechanism won't preclude a new Web site from being created at, say, "http://www.apple.farm" by someone outside Apple Inc. But it would create hurdles. Backers of the idea say it is needed so trademark holders won't have to spend thousands of dollars registering domain names defensively, to block someone from registering them and trying to profit - a practice known as "cybersquatting."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/07/13/financial/f135523D73.DTL
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/13/ap/hightech/main5156578.shtml
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/internet-regulator-mulls-cybersquatting-block-20090714-dj2m.html
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/internet-regulator-mulls-cybersquatting-block-20090714-dj2m.html

ICANN Considers IP Clearinghouse to Combat Cybersquatting
ICANN is considering implementing a centralised database of trademark holders, to cut down on questionable registrations of new domain names to help combat cybersquatting and to address concerns of business on the possible impact of the implementation of new generic Top Level Domains, reports AP.
http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=8657
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/07/14/icann-considers-ip-clearinghouse-to-combat-cybersquatting/

Do We Need .More .Top .Level .Domains?
Here?s a question to get a little discussion going today: Should anyone be able to start a top-level domain ? that is the part of an Internet address after the period, such as .com, .net or .fr (for France)?
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/do-we-need-more-top-level-domains/
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20090713/ZNYT05/907133017/1005
http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20090713/ZNYT05/907133017
http://www.ocala.com/article/20090713/ZNYT05/907133017/1171/

Brokering Peace Between Brand Owners and Domainers
As a technology writer, I don?t tend to run into the Treaty of Versailles in my work. But the agreement that ended World War I was among the myriad topics raised at a meeting held by ICANN in New York on Monday to discuss its plan to add new top-level domains (the part of an Internet address after the period, like the proposed .eco and .nyc)
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/brokering-peace-between-brand-owners-and-domainers/

The Best Internet Addresses Will Cost a Cool .Million
One of the characteristics of ICANN has been its commitment to create a level playing field between big companies and individuals who use the Internet. Its cumbersome decision-making process is open to input from all sides. And its core role ? assigning the domain names used by Web sites ? has been quite egalitarian: First come, first served. (Trademark issues aside.) 
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/the-best-internet-addresses-will-cost-a-cool-million/

New York Times: Brokering Peace in the Domain Name World
I don?t typically write about mainstream news articles about domain names. When I do, it?s usually because the articles are inaccurate. But today on the New York Times? Bits blog, author Saul Hansell wrote a well balanced description of the current battle between trademark holders and domainers titled ?Brokering Peace Between Brand Owners and Domainers?.
http://domainnamewire.com/2009/07/14/new-york-times-brokering-peace-in-the-domain-name-world/

European ICANN reform proposal draws industry ire [IDG]
Europe's efforts to internationalize the running of the Internet's governance body were criticized by three leading trade groups Monday for failing to take account of the needs of the private sector.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/071309-european-icann-reform-proposal-draws.html
http://www.pcworld.com/article/168307/.html
http://www.infoworld.com/t/internet/european-icann-reform-proposal-draws-industry-ire-106
http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf/feature/7B07F5B794AD1022CC2575F20074E584

EC ICANN Reform Proposal Criticised by European Industry Groups
A proposal by the European Commission?s Information Society and Media Commissioner, Viviane Reding, has drawn the ire of industry trade groups who ?strongly call on the EU to ensure that the private sector led multi-stakeholder model on which ICANN is built is preserved and enforced, as a key factor of Internet?s success.?
http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=8659
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/07/14/ec-icann-reform-proposal-criticised-by-european-tech-groups/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/ec-icann-reform-proposal-criticised-by-european-industry-groups.html

Europe?s e-communications providers call on the EU to ensure a truly multi-stakeholder model for ICANN [news release]
The effective technical coordination and management of the Internet?s domain name and addressing systems, which is ICANN?s core mission, is a crucial element for the stability and growth of the Internet and hence for Europe?s e-communications providers and the global business community. As the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) between ICANN and the US Department of Commerce comes to an end, ETNO, EuroISPA and GSMA Europe - representing Europe?s leading e-communications providers - strongly call on the EU to ensure that the privatesector led multi-stakeholder model on which ICANN is built is preserved and enforced, as a key factor of Internet?s success.
http://euroispa.org/files/joint_x20industry_x20statement_ig_130709.pdf

A Plan To Upend The Domain-Name System Runs Into Opposition
ICANN, the non-profit group that regulates domain names, wants to vastly expand the number of ?top level domain names? beyond the 21 that currently exist, such as .com, .net, and .mobi. But the proposal, which is expected to go into effect next year, is running into lots of opposition.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/14/domain-name-registration-technology-paidcontent.html
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-icann-plan-to-upend-domain-name-system-runs-into-opposition/

Fears Greet ICANN's new Plans
As ICANN prepares to unleash a wave of new TLDs on the world, it is seeking comment from Internet stakeholders. A series of meetings to be held around the world kicked off today in New York.
http://www.internetnews.com/infra/article.php/3829621

Full adoption of generic TLDs could take a decade
Icann has admitted that it could be at least 10 years before the proposed gTLDs are fully adopted. The new rules, which were approved at an Icann meeting in Paris last year, will allow the creation of any TLD with up to 64 characters, including regional suffixes, generic words and brand names, effectively allowing large brand owners with sufficient cash to become TLD registries.
http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2246129/full-adoption-gtlds-decade
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/150234,full-adoption-of-generic-domains-could-take-a-decade.aspx

ICANN Avails Top-Level Domains at High Price-Point
ICANN is releasing a new policy in which anyone can start a top-level domain (the part of a URL to the right of the period, such as ".com" or ".net").
http://www.marketingvox.com/icann-avails-top-level-domains-at-high-price-point-044625/

ICANN and Free Speech by Rebecca MacKinnon
Upon being appointed as ICANN's new CEO in Sydney, Rod Beckstrom gave a rousing speech in which he stressed the vital importance of free expression on the Internet: "I believe in a world where every human being has the ability to communicate with other human beings openly and freely."
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090714_icann_and_free_speech/

ICANN?s Missing Picture: The Domain Registrant
In my open letter to new ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom, I made made a key point with regards to domain registrants: ?Remember that domain owners ultimately fund your organization. Registries and registrars merely funnel domain owners? money to ICANN.?
http://domainnamewire.com/2009/07/14/icanns-missing-picture-the-domain-registrant/

Is ICANN Accountable to the Global Public Interest? ICANN Ignores Non-Commercial Users in Internet Policy Development Process
The Non-Commercial Users Constituency (NCUC) is the home to noncommercial users in ICANN's GNSO policy development process. NCUC represents 109 members from more than 40 countries, and includes large organizations, small nonprofits and individuals committed to developing Internet policy that protects the rights of noncommercial users. NCUC is concerned with a broad range of issues including human rights such as freedom of expression and privacy protections, educational needs such as those of libraries or academic institutions, and concerns from community and religious organizations, consumer rights groups, and other noncommercial interests related to Internet governance. (All noncommercial organizations and individuals are invited to join NCUC).
http://ipjustice.org/ICANN/NCSG/NCUC-ICANN-Injustices.html
http://reclaimthemedia.org/broadband/cable/icann_accountable_global_publi1429

Under pressure from trademark interests, ICANN undoes the GNSO reforms by Milton Mueller
A little-noticed outcome of the Sydney ICANN meeting (overshadowed by the excitement surrounding the selection of its new CEO) was a shockingly flagrant display of how arbitrary and unfair ICANN can be. A year ago a Board Governance Committee recommended, and the full Board adopted, a proposal to give civil society and commercial user interests the same number of votes (6) on the GNSO Council.
http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2009/7/13/4253458.html

ICANN Is Still Up To Its Old Tricks
Lest you get complacent about ICANN, here's evidence that the basic DNA remains unchanged, Milton Mueller writes. A little-noticed outcome of the Sydney ICANN meeting (overshadowed by the excitement surrounding the selection of its new CEO) was a shockingly flagrant display of how arbitrary and unfair ICANN can be.
http://www.icannwatch.org/articles/09/07/13/2224257.shtml

ICANN's $US12M travel budget: Good will move or influence buying?
The group responsible for managing the Web's domain name system, ICANN, has grown in the 11 years since its inception to become a powerful organization with a nearly $US55 million budget built on the domain registration fees it receives.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135403/ICANN_s_12M_travel_budget_Goodwill_move_or_influence_buying_
http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/310933/
http://www.cio.com/article/497113/ICANN_s_Million_Travel_Budget_Goodwill_Move_Or_Influence_Peddling_
http://www.itworld.com/internet/71035/icanns-12m-travel-budget-good-will-move-or-influence-buying
http://computerworld.com.au/article/310933/
http://www.infoworld.com/d/cloud-computing/icanns-12m-travel-budget-good-will-move-or-influence-buying-057
http://www.cio.com.au/article/310933/
http://www.cio.com/article/497113/
http://www.techworld.com.au/article/310933/

Witsa Writes Icann On Improvements in Institutional Confidence
The World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) after its recent meeting has written to ICANN stating that there was need to achieve a trusted, transparent and accountable steward for the technical management and coordination of the unique indicators of the Internet and associated policies.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/07/14/witsa-writes-icann-on-improvements-in-institutional-confidence-2/
http://allafrica.com/stories/200907140947.html

[Op-Ed] Web Posts From North Korea
In North Korea, Internet access is available only at a restricted number of organizations and places, including government agencies. The people have no chance to even look at the Internet. Most of North Korea`s propagandistic Web sites are managed by Chochongryon, or the pro-North Korean Residents` League in Japan, pro-Pyongyang groups and North Korea`s spying agencies overseas. ... ICANN, which allocates Internet protocol addresses, recognized ?.kp? as the official national domain for North Korea in 2007. But Naenara is the only Web site using that domain name.
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2009071457148

Australian Government opposes .xxx names [sub req'd]
Adult entertainment companies seeking to operate Internet red light districts would face resistance from the Rudd Labour government.
http://www.legalbrief.co.za/article.php?story=20090715093105591

ICANN Rules
The Internet's main police officer is trying to find ways to curb beefs over cybersquatting before they begin.
http://www.inews880.com/Channels/Reg/CyberCorner/Story.aspx?ID=1115400

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 - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
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.BE Domain Registrations Continue to Grow Strongly in 2008
.BE domain name registrations grew by 17 per cent in 2008, bringing the total number of .BE domain names to almost 860,000 at the end of the year, reports the DNS.BE 2008 annual report that was recently released. At the end of June, that figure had risen to 924,470.
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/07/13/be-domain-registrations-continue-to-grow-strongly-in-2008/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/be-domain-registrations-continue-to-grow-strongly-in-2008.html

Laurence Millar stands for InternetNZ vice presidency
Former government CIO Laurence Millar is standing for the post of vice president of InternetNZ. Election, he says, will enable him to ?contribute to New Zealand's future in a globally connected 21st century economy?.
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/5FF3F5C13A00B6A5CC2575F300036A5F

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 - DNS SECURITY
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UK, not North Korea, source of DDOS attacks, researcher says [IDG]
The U.K. was the likely source of a series of attacks last week that took down popular Web sites in the U.S. and South Korea, according to an analysis performed by a Vietnamese computer security analyst.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135492/UK_not_North_Korea_source_of_DDOS_attacks_researcher_says
http://computerworld.com.au/article/311070/
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/168353/.html

Probe into cyberattacks stretches around the globe [IDG]
British authorities have launched an investigation into the recent cyberattacks that crippled Web sites in the U.S. and South Korea, as the trail to find the perpetrators stretches around the world.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135532/Probe_into_cyberattacks_stretches_around_the_globe

Experts: Cyberstrikes originated from Britain, not North Korea
A recent wave of cyber attacks that crippled thousands of computers and websites in the United States and South Korea could have originated from inside Britain, experts have warned.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jul/15/hacking-usa

Researchers: Attacks on U.S., Korea sites came from U.K.
The denial-of-service attacks launched on Web sites in South Korea and the United States earlier this month appear to have come from a master server in the United Kingdom, according to security researchers in Vietnam.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10286203-83.html

Experts Work To Untangle US, Korea Cyberattack
U.S. authorities trying to unravel the widespread cyber attacks against government Web sites in the United States and South Korea this week are facing a lengthy, complex investigation that may never identify a culprit, at least not one they would be willing to reveal.
http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=031000018YQU
http://www.cio-today.com/story.xhtml?story_id=031000018YQU
http://www.toptechnews.com/news/Experts-Try-To-Untangle-Cyberattack/story.xhtml?story_id=031002U241LY

A Plan to Secure the Federal Cyberspace, Part 3
About this series: In a paper he wrote and published before President Obama's announcement regarding the creation of a national cybersecurity coordinator, Ariel Silverstone, CISSP, put forward his thoughts about the necessity of having a chief security officer for the United States. In this Final installment, he discusses timelines and priorities as he sees them. Silverstone then addresses the need for input and involvement from academia and the private sector.
http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=747C0F9A-1A64-67EA-E4FB4FF70D2695DA

When You Hear "Security," Think "National Sovereignty"
These days you can hardly talk about Internet governance without hearing about security. DNSSEC is a hot issue, ICANN's new president is a cyber-security expert, and cyberattacks seem to be a daily occurrence.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090713_when_you_hear_security_think_national_sovereignty/

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 - DOMAIN DISPUTES
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What Rights Exist in a Name?
Recent high-profile celebrity deaths have caused a flood of related domain name registrations. The registrations of famous people?s names and tragedies have placed a spotlight on the complicated issue of when a person?s name is considered a trademark. An even more complex legal situation arises in the event of the purchase or sale of a trademark comprising a person?s name. A recent decision by the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has provided guidance to purchasers of intellectual property (trademarks and/or domain names) consisting of a person?s name. Generally, a person?s name is considered a descriptive trademark, i.e. words that merely describe the identity of a person. Therefore, names are only treated as protectable trademarks upon a showing of distinctiveness and secondary meaning (i.e. the public has come to associate that name or design with a particular person, company or goods or services.
http://www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2439

An Arbitrator?s View of Reverse Domain Name Hijacking
[Editor's note: in this exclusive guest article, The Hon. Neil Brown explains how he approaches the question of reverse domain name hijacking in UDRP decisions. Brown is an arbitrator and has heard dozens of cases at National Arbitration Forum and WIPO. He recently wrote a detailed finding of RDNH in a case for Shoeland.com.
http://domainnamewire.com/2009/07/13/an-arbitrators-view-of-reverse-domain-name-hijacking/

New York Attorney Urges Domainers To ?Do Something? To Stop Frivolous Dispute Proceedings
Karen Bernstein, a New York City domain dispute attorney, is urging domainers to fight back and protect their rights after seeing business owners use the UDRP process to force domain transfers time and time again.
http://www.domainnamenews.com/legal-issues/york-attorney-urges-domainers-stop-frivolous-dispute-proceedings/5508

Minnesota Attorney General Sues National Arbitration Forum
The Minnesota Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against National Arbitration Forum, one of the largest domain name dispute providers under UDRP. The lawsuit does not pertain to domain arbitration, but instead to credit and collection disputes.
http://domainnamewire.com/2009/07/15/minnesota-attorney-general-sues-national-arbitration-forum/

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 - IPv4/IPv6
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Invisible IPv6 traffic poses serious network threat
IPv6 ? the next-generation Internet protocol ? isn't keeping too many U.S. CIOs and network managers up worrying at night. But perhaps it should.
http://www.infoworld.com/d/networking/invisible-ipv6-traffic-poses-serious-network-threat-051
http://www.itworld.com/networking/71013/invisible-ipv6-traffic-poses-serious-network-threat

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 - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET
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Registration Now Open for Domain Convergence, Canada's Only Domainer Meeting
Registration is now open for Domain Convergence, Canada?s only domainer meeting, that will be held this year from August 13-14 in Toronto.
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/07/14/registration-now-open-for-domain-convergence-canadas-only-domainer-meeting/

Domain Convergence Conference Registration Opens
Registration has opened for the second annual Domain Convergence conference. The conference will be held in Toronto, Canada August 13-14. Early registration is available through July 20 for $649, $100 off the regular price.
http://domainnamewire.com/2009/07/13/domain-convergence-conference-registration-opens/

Registration Open For Domain Convergence, Canada?s Only Domain Name Conference
DNEvents.com has announced that the early-bird registration period has started for Domain Convergence, a two-day domain conference scheduled for August 13 and 14, 2009 at the Radisson Admiral Habourfront Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. By registering before July 20, 2009, conference attendees can save up to $100!
http://www.domainnamenews.com/events/registration-open-domain-convergence-canadas-domain-conference/5504

Today is the last day to buy premium .cm domains like DrugStore.cm, 401k.cm, LasVegas.cm, Games.cm and more [news release]
The Rick Latona Auctions Premium .cm domain name sale ends at 8:00pm EDT on July 14 at 8:00pm EDT/ 5:00pm PDT. The list of premium domain names includes names with reserve prices as low as 1,000 USD. These names are not included in the regular landrush or open registration. They are only available at this auction.
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/07/14/today-is-the-last-day-to-buy-premium-cm-domains-like-drugstorecm-401kcm-lasvegascm-gamescm-and-more/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/today-is-the-last-day-to-buy-premium-.cm-domains-like-drugstore.cm-401k.cm-lasvegas.cm-games.cm-and-more.html

Views of Domain Industry?s Prospects Colored by Local Economy
I?ve noticed a lot of domainers writing about how the world is ending. They think the economy is going to continue tanking and this will continue to hurt the domain industry to the point of a doomsday.
http://domainnamewire.com/2009/07/15/views-of-domain-industrys-prospects-colored-by-local-economy/

Increase Domain Sales with Fixed Prices
With the introduction of SedoMLS (Multi-Listing Service) in April, many members may be wondering how they can take advantage of the newly expanded marketplace. The simple answer is to set fixed prices for the domains in your portfolio in order to increase your number of completed sales.
http://www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2438

Appraising the Domain Economy
One of the most frequently asked questions in the domain industry is, ?how much is my domain worth?? There is of course no simple answer. The six-figure domain name sale is still out there, but in leaner economic times it has become a little bit more elusive. Domain owners must now be just as conscious of the economy at large to know when the time?and the price?are right to make a sale.
http://www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2437

The Time to Buy: A Domainer's Guide
It seems as though the term ?domainer,? has become synonymous with an elite group of large domain portfolio holders, who make thousands of dollars a month either by solely parking or by both parking and selling domains. This common association tends to overlook the fact that a domainer is actually a stock holder whose asset of choice is either one or several lucrative domain names.
http://www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2436

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RESEARCH PAPERS
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Computers and DVDs an increasing part of young Australians? lives [news release]
A new report highlights the way that digital media is embedded in the lives of young children, commencing in pre-school years. In 2007, 94 per cent of 3 to 4 year olds watched television and 91 per cent watched DVDs or videos, while a sizeable proportion also used a computer at home (40 per cent) and a minority (16 per cent) had played games using an electronic games system.
http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311824

Use of electronic media and communications: Early childhood to teenage years [report]
Use of electronic media and communications: Early childhood to teenage years brings together the ACMA?s research on media use by 8-17 year olds and new findings about 3-4 and 7-8 year olds from the Australian Institute of Family Studies study Growing Up in Australia; The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children.
http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311819

The Internet and the Recession
Overview: Some 69% of all Americans have used the internet to cope with the recession as they hunt for bargains, jobs, ways to upgrade their skills, better investment strategies, housing options, and government benefits. That amounts to 88% of internet users.
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/11-The-Internet-and-the-Recession.aspx

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INTERNET USE
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TV still popular with all kids: report [AAP]
Technology continually invades the lives of most young Australians but the one constant is television, according to new research. A staggering 94 per cent of all children aged between three and 17, responding to a survey, watched in excess of one hour of TV a day. Those over the age of eight watched almost two hours.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25786563-29277,00.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25786563-26103,00.html
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/tv-still-popular-with-all-kids-report-20090715-dlcb.html

94pct Oz kids like watching TV [ANI]
Television continues to invade the lives of Australian kids, according to a new survey.early 94 per cent of the children, aged between three and 17, watched in excess of one hour of TV a day, which increases to two hours for those over the age of eight.
http://news.smashits.com/406523/94pct-Oz-kids-like-watching-TV.htm
http://www.topnews.in/94pct-oz-kids-watching-tv-2189492
http://story.argentinastar.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/e974f944f2e7496e/id/519445/cs/1/

TV turns off tots' vital social skills
One in 10 preschoolers has a TV in their room, prompting warnings that the nation's little couch potatoes are missing out on vital social skills.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25789247-23272,00.html

China bans electric shock treatment used to 'cure' young internet addicts
With the world's largest online community, estimated at more than 300 million users, it was only a matter of time before China acknowledged it might have a problem with a growing digital-age affliction: internet addiction.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/14/china-electric-shock-internet-addiction

China bans electro-shock therapy for Internet addicts
China has banned electro-shock therapy as a treatment for Internet addiction, citing uncertainty in the safety and effectiveness of the practice after criticism in the local media.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE56D1PD20090714
http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-41024420090714

China stops shock therapy for Internet addicts
China's Health Ministry has ordered a hospital to stop using electric shock therapy to cure youths of Internet addiction, saying there was no scientific evidence it worked.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/china-stops-shock-therapy-for-internet-addicts-20090714-djvw.html
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/china-stops-shock-therapy-for-internet-addicts-20090714-djvw.html

Approval by a Blogger May Please a Sponsor
... Marketing companies are keen to get their products into the hands of so-called influencers who have loyal online followings because the opinions of such consumers help products stand out amid the clutter, particularly in social media.
http://nytimes.com/2009/07/13/technology/internet/13blog.html

Click by Click, Reviewers Gain Clout
If you value your spare time, don't start posting comments and reviews on Amazon, Mark Espinosa suggests. It can be a hard habit to break.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/11/AR2009071100057.html

Bing Delivers Credibility to Microsoft
In late May, Microsoft unveiled Bing, its new Internet search engine, in front of an audience of skeptics: technology executives and other digerati who had gathered near San Diego for an industry conference.
http://nytimes.com/2009/07/14/technology/companies/14bing.html

Americans relying on Internet to fight tough times, report says
If you find yourself in front of your computer screen looking to understand the recession and find ways to deal with it, you're not alone. According to a report released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center, some 69 percent of American adults, or 88 percent of U.S. Internet users, have gone online in the past year for reasons related to the recession. The study says they either are trying to get help with personal economic issues or gather information about the origins of national economic problems and solutions to those difficulties.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10287679-93.html

Newspaper publishers demand better online protection from Europe
Newspaper publishers have asked the European Commission to look into "improvements" in the copyright protection afforded to newspaper content. Their submission claims that a refusal by the Commission to help could endanger journalism.
http://out-law.com/page-10166

**********************
SOCIAL NETWORKING
**********************
Americans spend most online time on Facebook
Ever wonder what your co-worker or friend is doing online? The Nielsen Company has a pretty good idea what they're up to. Nielsen Online reported this week that people spend more time on Facebook than any other Web site. The study also notes that 87.25 million U.S. users visited Facebook from home and work during June, and each of those spent an average of four hours, 39 minutes and 33 seconds on the site during the month.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135551/Americans_spend_most_online_time_on_Facebook
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/071509-americans-spend-most-online-time.html

Facebook crashes through another milestone -- 250M users
Continuing its apparent bid to rule the Internet, Facebook today reached yet another key milestone. Just a little more than three months after welcoming its 200 millionth user, the social networking site announced that as of today, Facebook hosts 250 million people.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135566/Facebook_crashes_through_another_milestone_250M_users

Tiny URLs turn Twitter into spam target
No longer content to stick to email, spammers are now abusing Twitter and spreading malicious links by disguising them behind tiny URLs, according to one internet security firm.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10584592

**********************
NEW TECHNOLOGIES
**********************
Microsoft plans free, online version of Office
Everyone predicted Microsoft Corp. wouldn't take long to fire back against Google Inc.'s latest foray into its home turf. It took less than a week. On Monday, Microsoft said it would offer a free version of its popular Office software suite that would run on the Internet.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-microsoft14-2009jul14,0,6321375.story

Microsoft Office takes to the web
Microsoft has fired its latest salvo at Google, announcing a free web-based version of its Office software. Office 2010 will include lightweight versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote when it ships next year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8148969.stm

************************************************
CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION
************************************************
NZ internet filter sparks outrage
The Government is spending $150,000 on website "filtering" software, outraging some bloggers who say the move amounts to censorship of the internet.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10584710

nz: Mother hails text bully plan [The Dominion Post]
A new text-bully initiative that makes it easier for victims to get help has been applauded by a mother whose disfigured son took his own life after teenagers sent him cruel texts.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/2593888/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/2593850/

nz: Student slags teachers on Facebook
A Queenstown teenager may be suspended from school after creating an online quiz on Facebook that describes his teachers as circus freaks.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/queenstown/2598093/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/2598126/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/national-news/2598126/

Boy faces possible suspension over online quiz [NZPA]
A Queenstown schoolboy is facing possible suspension after creating an "abusive and derogatory" online quiz about his teachers on the social networking website Facebook.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10584813
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/queenstown-lakes/65493/teen-strife-over-facebook-quiz
http://www.3news.co.nz/ScienceTech/Story/tabid/412/articleID/112735/cat/73/Default.aspx

au: Gov't revamps child online safety resources
The Rudd Government's Cybersmart education program for school children was boosted today with the launch of the Australian Communications and Media Authority's new Cybersmart Web site.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/071309-govt-revamps-child-online-safety.html
http://www.infoworld.com/d/security-central/govt-revamps-child-online-safety-resources-094

'No link' between child porn and sex crimes [AFP]
Men without a prior sex conviction who look at child pornography on the internet are unlikely to sexually assault a child, according to Swiss scientists. Researchers led by Frank Urbaniok of the Canton of Zurich Department of Justice delved into the criminal record of 231 men who were charged with viewing child pornography via a US website.
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25779733-912,00.html
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Tech+and+Science/Story/STIStory_402833.html
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25779656-663,00.html

Examining the Effects of Child Pornography
Researchers in Switzerland took unique advantage of a 2002 sweep of child pornography viewers in Zurich to examine what the relationship between viewing child pornography and sexually offending against children might be. The study, published Monday in the open access journal BMC Psychiatry, offers few definitive answers but does an important job of adding to the generally murky picture we have of different ways people sexually offend against children and the different kinds of people who do it.
http://sexuality.about.com/b/2009/07/15/examining-the-effects-of-child-pornography.htm

Stop cyberbullying with education, not new law by Larry Magid
The first things you need to know about cyberbullying are that it's not an epidemic and it's not killing our children. Yes, it's probably one of the more widespread youth risks on the Internet and yes there are some well publicized cases of cyberbullying victims who have committed suicide, but let's look at this in context.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-19518_3-10286896-238.html

**********************
ONLINE TV & MUSIC
**********************
Microsoft is launching a music streaming service this month
Microsoft is gearing up to launch a music streaming service similar to Spotify by the end of this month. The service, which Microsoft aims to have ready by the end of July, will offer users the chance to stream music for free and also download to own.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/microsoft/5817049/Microsoft-is-launching-a-music-streaming-service-this-month.html

Internet piracy levels fall in favour of streaming
A new piece of research has shown illegal filesharing has decreased by a third among teenagers, while Stephen Fry separately defends the practice on a small scale.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/social-media/5819610/Internet-piracy-levels-fall-in-favour-of-streaming.html

Report: UK file sharing drops, even among teens
The plethora of legal music options online has prompted Internet users in the UK to cut down on their P2P ways. According to an annual report from media and technology research firm The Leading Question, monthly file sharing has dropped among all users since the last national survey in 2007. The drop is particularly significant among teens, where file-sharing has declined by a third. Still, users continue to share music?just a little more the old-fashioned way.
http://arstechnica.com/media/news/2009/07/report-more-uk-users-going-the-legal-route-for-music.ars

Illegal file-sharing between teens falls
The number of teens illegally file-sharing has fallen since 2007, says Music Ally. According to the digital music firm, in January this year only 17 percent of web users said they regularly downloaded music from illegal file-sharing sources on the web, compared to 22 percent in December 2007.
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=119041
http://computerworld.com.au/article/310975/

Stephen Fry admits illegally downloading House finale
Stephen Fry has admitted illegally downloading House, the hit US show that stars his former comedy partner Hugh Laurie. The QI host told an audience in London that he had used the bittorrent system to get a copy of Laurie's show House.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/13/stephen-fry-hugh-laurie

**********************
MOBILE/WIRELESS
**********************
Facebook driving mobile net usage
A third of young people regularly access Facebook and Twitter via their mobile, a new report has found. The study, published by mobile research firm CCS Insight, found that access to social networking sites was driving the take-up of mobile internet services.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8149652.stm

India's Rural Mobile Phone Users Hit 100 Million [IDG]
India had 109.7 million rural mobile subscribers at the end of the first quarter, up by 18 percent from 93.2 million users in the fourth quarter of last year, the country's telecom regulator said on Monday.
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/168354/.html

Iranian consumers boycott Nokia for 'collaboration'
The mobile phone company Nokia is being hit by a growing economic boycott in Iran as consumers sympathetic to the post-election protest movement begin targeting a string of companies deemed to be collaborating with the regime.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/14/nokia-boycott-iran-election-protests

**********************
SPAM
**********************
Australian Government to stop SMS spammers [AAP]
Australians can feel free to download ringtones, horoscopes and dating advice at will thanks to new laws regulating premium mobile services. Companies now face fines of up to $250,000 if they continue to send unsolicited messages or mislead consumers about what they're signing up to.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25786486-29277,00.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25786486-26103,00.html
http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=588134

Pharmaceutical spam continues to rise
Worldwide spam volumes are being further driven by an increase in online pharmacy messages, say researchers. According to a recent report from security firm Marhal8E6, 90 per cent of email traffic is due to spam messages. Meanwhile, the company estimates that of the total spam load, 75 per cent of that spam is for online pharmaceuticals.
http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2245985/pharmaceutical-spam-continues

Real Viagra sales power global spam flood
The truism that spam mostly consists of inducements to buy products such as Viagra turns out to spot on, a security company has found. According to Marshal8e6's latest Tracelabs report for January to June 2009, three quarters of all spam that passed through its gateways during this period had a pharmaceutical theme to it, echoing the civilised world's obsession with a variety of prescription drugs, especially the potent Viagra.
http://www.techworld.com/security/news/index.cfm?newsid=119086
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/071409-real-viagra-sales-power-global.html
http://computerworld.com.au/article/311111/
http://pcworld.idg.com.au/article/311111/

Survey Finds One in Six Consumers Act on Spam [IDG]
About one in six consumers have at some time acted on a spam message, affirming the economic incentive for spammers to keep churning out millions of obnoxious pitches per day, according to a new survey.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/168384/.html
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=119163
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135496/One_in_six_consumers_acts_on_spam_survey_says
http://computerworld.com.au/article/311117/

12% of e-mail users have actually tried to buy stuff from spam
Good luck trying to find an Internet user who admits to responding to spam. Still, they're out there, and in pretty good numbers. According to a new report, a full 12 percent of Internet users have actually wanted to pay for some product or service being advertised by e-mail.
http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2009/07/12-of-e-mail-users-try-to-buy-stuff-from-spam-e-mail.ars

Survey: Why do people respond to spam?
Most people may think they're smart enough not to answer an obvious spam message. But is that really the case? Almost one third of consumers questioned admitted answering e-mails they suspected were spam, says a survey released Wednesday by the Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group (MAAWG).
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10287193-83.html

Spam Not So Profitable?
Professional spamming continues at record levels despite the best efforts of security researchers, Internet stakeholders and law enforcement groups to kill it off -- making spam seem like a business too profitable to die.
http://www.internetnews.com/security/article.php/3830011

**************************
ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL
**************************
Where Are the Cybercops?
The month of June saw a host of Web-based attacks compromising legitimate Web sites. One, dubbed "Nine Ball," compromised more than 40,000 Web sites. Another attack injected a malicious script that antivirus vendor Sophos named "Troj/Iframe-CB" into large numbers of legitimate sites.
http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/must-read/67573.html

Legal row over British National Portrait Gallery images placed on Wikipedia
The National Portrait Gallery has threatened legal proceedings for breach of copyright against a man who downloaded thousands of high-resolution images from its website, and placed them in an archive of free-to-use images on Wikipedia.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jul/14/national-portrait-gallery-wikipedia-row

UK, not North Korea, source of DDOS attacks, researcher says [IDG]
The U.K. was the likely source of a series of attacks last week that took down popular Web sites in the U.S. and South Korea, according to an analysis performed by a Vietnamese computer security analyst.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135492/UK_not_North_Korea_source_of_DDOS_attacks_researcher_says
http://computerworld.com.au/article/311070/
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/168353/.html

Probe into cyberattacks stretches around the globe [IDG]
British authorities have launched an investigation into the recent cyberattacks that crippled Web sites in the U.S. and South Korea, as the trail to find the perpetrators stretches around the world.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135532/Probe_into_cyberattacks_stretches_around_the_globe

Experts: Cyberstrikes originated from Britain, not North Korea
A recent wave of cyber attacks that crippled thousands of computers and websites in the United States and South Korea could have originated from inside Britain, experts have warned.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jul/15/hacking-usa

Researchers: Attacks on U.S., Korea sites came from U.K.
The denial-of-service attacks launched on Web sites in South Korea and the United States earlier this month appear to have come from a master server in the United Kingdom, according to security researchers in Vietnam.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10286203-83.html

**************************
PRIVACY
**************************
Snooping through the power socket
Power sockets can be used to eavesdrop on what people type on a computer. Security researchers found that poor shielding on some keyboard cables means useful data can be leaked about each character typed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8147534.stm

Berners-Lee calls for end of snooping on web users
Web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee has called for governments and companies to limit the amount they snoop on web users.
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=119030
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/071309-berners-lee-calls-for-end-of.html

Warrantless wiretaps just the tip of the (classified) iceberg
This past Friday, the Offices of Inspectors General of the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, CIA, NSA, and Office of the Director of National Intelligence, released an unclassified summary of a report that fills in key details of the problems and controversies surrounding the large-scale electronic surveillance efforts that president George W. Bush authorized the NSA to undertake in the wake of 9/11.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/07/black-box-origins.ars

**********************
CENSORSHIP
**********************
au: Qantas censors anti-censorship ad
Qantas has put the kybosh on online activist group GetUp's latest anti-censorship campaign, refusing to run the "Censordyne" ad on its flights.
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/biz-tech/qantas-censors-anticensorship-ad-20090714-djgo.html

No political interference in GetUp ban: Qantas
A Qantas executive with close links to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has dismissed suggestions that he personally barred an anti-internet censorship advertisement from airing on flights to Canberra.
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25781616-15306,00.html

Qantas jettisons GetUp ad
Qantas has decided against running an in-flight advertisement from political activist group GetUp slamming the federal government's internet censorship plan.
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25777414-15306,00.html

**************************
GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
**************************
Times Have Changed, But How Much? by Fiona Patten
Stephen Conroy has been named the UK's Internet Villain of the Year for his proposal to censor Australian internet users. As Fiona Patten writes, freedom of expression in Australia has been going downhill since the early 1980s
http://newmatilda.com/2009/07/13/times-have-changed-how-much

NZ Copyright proposals a mixed bag, say internet groups
InternetNZ describes the government's proposals to fix Section 92A of the Copyright Act as a mixed bag that retains the "toxic remains" of the previous government's internet access termination regime.
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/2C011A03D6D90266CC2575F3001233F3
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/business/2593365/
http://www.cio.de/news/cio_worldnews/891828/

NZ wants bigger copyright watchdog
The New Zealand Government has released a discussion document for public consultation that calls for more powers for the Copyright Tribunal.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/NZ-wants-bigger-copyright-watchdog/0,130061791,339297397,00.htm

NZ Copyright Tribunal may be able to punish internet users [NZPA]
The Copyright Tribunal would be given the power to punish internet users who repeatedly breach copyright under proposals put forward today.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/2593183/Govt-copyright-group-to-police-the-web
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/65227/copyright-tribunal-may-be-able-punish-internet-users

nz: Back to the present: Section 92A returns Doc
After much controversy and gnashing of teeth, Section 92A is back. Originally drafted to be part of the Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Act 2008, which came into force on 31 October 2008, Section 92A was not implemented.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10584649

NZ Artists say internet account termination too far [NZPA]
A trust of New Zealand artists says a proposal to terminate the internet accounts of those who repeatedly breach copyright is a step too far.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10584575
http://www.3news.co.nz/News/Entertainment/Termination-of-illegal-downloaders-accounts-too-severe---artists/tabid/418/articleID/112548/Default.aspx?ArticleID=112548
http://www.3news.co.nz/Termination-of-illegal-downloaders-accounts-too-severe---artists/tabid/423/articleID/112548/cat/64/Default.aspx

Copyright proposal targets internet pirates [The Dominion Post]
Internet users who ignore warnings about downloading pirated movies, music and books could be hauled before the Copyright Tribunal and fined or have their internet accounts shut down.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/features/technology/2594006/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/2594006/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/business/2594006/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/business/2594006/

92A changes keep Net termination
One of the most controversial parts of the Act ? the option to terminate the Internet connection of an accused repeat infringer ? remains intact.
http://www.netguide.co.nz/200907151077/92a-changes-keep-net-termination.php

New Zealand proposes new "3 strikes" process for P2P users
New Zealand's first attempt at passing a "three strikes" law fell apart as rights holders and Internet service providers were unable to agree on a voluntary code of practice. One of the biggest concerns was the lack of due process; how could New Zealand avoid presuming that the accused were guilty yet still develop a means of judging accusations that was cheaper and faster than the country's High Court?
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/07/new-zealand-proposes-new-3-strikes-process-for-p2p-users.ars

*********************************
MISCELLANEOUS
*********************************
Microsoft beats Google to be named UK's best brand
Microsoft has been voted the country's top brand, swapping places with Google, last year's winner.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/microsoft/5826895/Microsoft-beats-Google-to-be-named-UKs-best-brand.html

**********************
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
**********************
Conroy to unveil 'digital roadmap'
The federal government will attempt to stoke industry interest in the development of technology and services to run on its $43 billion national broadband network (NBN) with the release of what it describes as a "road map" for the digital economy.
http://www.afr.com/home/viewer.aspx?EDP://20090714000031341677

WiMax growth slowing amid recession [IDG]
WiMax subscriber growth slowed in the first quarter, and the emerging wireless technology will continue to struggle at least through this year, a survey by research company Maravedis indicates.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135489/WiMax_growth_slowing_amid_recession
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/071309-wimax-growth-slowing-amid.html

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

(c) David Goldstein 2009


 ---------


David Goldstein


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