[DNS] domain name news - 30 November

[DNS] domain name news - 30 November

From: David Goldstein <goldstein_david§yahoo.com.au>
Date: Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:33:58 -0800 (PST)
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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Internet Domain Names: Property Rights and Institutional Innovation by Milton Mueller [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership Historical Research Reference in Entrepreneurship]
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1512337

ICANN warns about DNS redirects
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1563481/icann-warns-dns-redirects

.AT Reaches 900,000 Domain Name Registrations Milestone
http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=9721
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/11/25/at-900000-registrations/

AFNIC publishes 2009 French Domain Name Industry Report
http://www.afnic.fr/actu/nouvelles/234/afnic-publishes-2009-french-domain-name-industry-report

.?? Domains Sunrise Registration Launched
http://www.nic.ru/news/en/2009/start_prior_rf.html

Russia Starts Registering Cyrillic Domain Names
http://english.pravda.ru/russia/economics/27-11-2009/110799-cyrillic_domain-0

Russia.com Sold for $1.5m
http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=9742
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/11/27/russiacom-sold-for-15m/


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RESEARCH PAPERS
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Internet Domain Names: Property Rights and Institutional Innovation by Milton Mueller [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership Historical Research Reference in Entrepreneurship]
Abstract: The emergence of a new international regime that is being organized around ICANN is traced; the regime has developed in response to the commercialization of the Internet and to the global debate over the management of domain names.The property rights conflicts that arose following the growth of domain names are considered and a property regime ("draft-postel") is proposed as an efficient response to commercialization of name space.The contrast between the proposed regime and the current regime reveals the degree to which conflicts intrinsic to the definition of property rights impede institutional change. (SAA)
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1512337

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DOMAIN NAMES
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 - ICANN
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ICANN warns about DNS redirects
ICANN, which as its name suggests is in charge of the world wide web, sort of, has condemned the practice of redirecting Internet users to a third-party website or portal when they misspell a web address or type a domain name that does not exist.
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1563481/icann-warns-dns-redirects

ICA Files Comments on Version 3 of New gTLD Draft Applicant Guidebook
Sunday, November 22nd, was the filing deadline for comments on the third version of the Draft Applicant Guidebook (DAG) for new gTLDs, so ICA and many others dutifully submitted further input on this latest iteration of the proposed rules of this new game. IT seems that the opening date for acceptance of applications for new gTLDs recedes further rather than draws closer with each new version of the DAG.
http://www.internetcommerce.org/gTLD_Draft_Applicant_Guidebook

ICANN to prohibit nonexistent-domain redirect for new TLDs
Earlier this week, ICANN published a draft of an "explanatory memorandum" for a proposed clause that prohibits the managers of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) as well as IDN country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) from redirecting users when they try to access a nonexistent domain name. In 2003, Verisign, the operator of the .com and .net gTLDs, ran such a system under the name Site Finder for several weeks, until criticism from the community made them turn it off.
http://arstechnica.com/telecom/news/2009/11/icann-to-prohibit-nonexistent-domain-redirect-for-new-tlds.ars

Icann slams operators that redirect DNS requests [IDG]
ICANN has condemned the practice of redirecting internet users to a third-party website or portal when they misspell a web address and type a domain name that does not exist.
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=3207408
http://www.computerworlduk.com/management/online/isp/news/index.cfm?newsid=17760
http://www.cio.de/news/cio_worldnews/2216105/
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/AE8E3940E4337C7FCC25767900797090

Norid and Norwegian authorities fight to protect country and territory names in new TLDs. Read Norid's hearing statement on ICANN's proposal
http://www.norid.no/internasjonalt/icann/horingssvar-gtld-200911.pdf

Top 5 Reasons Not to Buy IDNs
Here are the top 5 reasons why domain investors stay away from IDNs, and the rebuttals to each:
http://idnblog.com/2009/11/27/top-5-reasons-not-to-buy-idns/

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 - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
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900,000 .at-domains registered!
A new frontier has been crossed: in November 2009 the 900,000th .at-domain was registered. Even in an economically challenging time, the domain growth in Austria continues unabatedly. For more than ten yerars now the .at-zone has had an average growth of 10% per year. And there doesn't seem to be an end to this trend. 
http://www.nic.at/en/uebernic/current_issues/nicat_news/news_view/article/81/900000ste-at-domain-registriert/

.AT Reaches 900,000 Domain Name Registrations Milestone
Nic.at, the registry for .AT domain names, have announced they have crossed into a new frontier with the 900,000th .AT domain name registration.
http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=9721
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/11/25/at-900000-registrations/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/at-reaches-900000-domain-registrations-milestone.html

Nic.at registers 900,000th .at domain name [sub req'd]
Austrian domain name registrar Nic.at has registered the 900,000th .at domain name during November of this year.
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/

AFNIC Board of Directors opens up the .fr domain to French expatriates
At its meeting on 13 November, the AFNIC Board of Directors approved the 2010 action plan and arrangements for making .fr domain names available to French people living abroad.
http://www.afnic.fr/actu/nouvelles/235/afnic-board-of-directors-opens-up-the-fr-domain-to-french-expatriates

AFNIC publishes 2009 French Domain Name Industry Report
For the third year running, AFNIC has published its French Domain Name Industry Report. The 2009 edition, produced with help from Telecom & Management Sud-Paris, reviews the state of the market and trends in the .fr domain, offering some explanatory suggestions. It also emphasizes the rapid growth of the secondary market. Lastly, it mentions the great changes to be expected in the industry over the next few years, such as the creation of new generic Top Level Domains and the development of the Internet of Things. Explanations.
http://www.afnic.fr/actu/nouvelles/234/afnic-publishes-2009-french-domain-name-industry-report

'Domain Name' to be introduced in Indian languages
'Domain Name,' the unique identity to access the web, currently only with Latin characters, will be introduced in Indian languages in India by June 2010, a top official involved in the task said today.
http://www.newkerala.com/nkfullnews-1-159560.html

.?? Domains Sunrise Registration Launched
Today, November 25, 2009 starting 12.00 MSK trademark holders and state authorities may enjoy .?? Domains Sunrise Registration as per the approved schedule.
http://www.nic.ru/news/en/2009/start_prior_rf.html

Changes in .?? Domains Sunrise Registration Procedure
On November 26, 2009 the Coordination Center for TLD RU at its session reviewed .?? domains reservation process and deems it expedient to supplement the existing "Domains Sunrise Registration Provision in .?? TLD" with the below provisions with a view to protect trademark holders' legitimate interests:
http://www.nic.ru/news/en/2009/ch-prior_rf.html

Russia Starts Registering Cyrillic Domain Names
Russia has started registering domains in Cyrillic. ??????.?? is the first one of them. New names have started appearing in the Cyrillic zone of the Russian Internet very quickly. Recent registrations include such websites as ????.?? (sex.rf), ????????.?? (stripterase.rf), ???????.?? (mortgage.rf) and others, the Vedomosti newspaper wrote.
http://english.pravda.ru/russia/economics/27-11-2009/110799-cyrillic_domain-0

Nominet holds open meetings for .uk stakeholders
We are holding a series of open meetings for members and stakeholders to find out more about our latest consultation. These meetings will provide you with an opportunity to talk directly with members of Nominet?s Board and senior management team about the set of governance recommendations we are currently consulting on.
http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=6820

Cyrillic .ukr domain to start operating on Internet in Feb-March 2010
The Ukrainian Network Information Center (UNIC) has submitted an application to ICANN to register the .ukr domain in Cyrillic, UNIC Director Yuriy Honcharuk said at a press conference in Kyiv on Nov. 26.
http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/53772/

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 - IPv4/IPv6
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IPv6 Awards presented for the best Dutch implementations
At today?s ECP-EPN Annual Congress, the IPv6 Awards were presented to seven businesses, other organisations and private individuals that have successfully implemented IPv6. State Secretary Frank Heemskerk (Ministry of Economic Affairs) personally congratulated the winners during the congress. The awards were introduced to focus attention on the need for migration from IPv4 to IPv6.
http://www.sidn.nl/ace.php/c,728,6195,,,,IPv6_Awards_presented_for_the_best_Dutch_implementations.html

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 - MISCELLANEOUS
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Domain Registry Of America Get Slapped In UK
The UK's Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a number of complaints brought against Domain Registry of America (DROA).
http://www.isquattedyour.eu/2009/11/28/domain-registry-of-america-get-slapped-in-uk/

RIPE NCC and ARIN Issue Joint Statement on ASN Assignment Discrepancies
Recent discussion on the NANOG mailing list has highlighted some issues with the Autonomous System Number (ASN) range AS1707-AS1726. ARIN and the RIPE NCC have worked together to produce the following analysis of what happened and a plan to resolve these issues moving forward.
http://ripe.net/news/asn-assignment-discrepancies.html

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 - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET
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Russia.com Sold for $1.5m
The domain name Russia.com was sold for US$1.5 million by Sedo reports the Quintura blog, making it the sixth biggest reported sale to date for 2009 going by the current list of sales on Domain Name Journal?s list of top domain sales for the year.
http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=9742
http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/11/27/russiacom-sold-for-15m/

Russia.com Domain Name Sells for $1.5m
A Russian search engine blog reported that an unknown buyer has purchased Russia.com through Sedo for $1.5 million. The whois record indicates that the transfer is in process, a good indicator that the money is in escrow and the deal will close.
http://dotsnews.com/domain-name-news/661

Russia.com Fetches $1.5 Million
More often than not, the right domain name can make or break a business. Having the best domain won't help a horrible service too much and a good one will do alright even with a less-than-inspired domain but, on the whole, it can be a great boon to a websites success. This is why domain names sometimes fetch huge amounts of money and why the ones paying them still profit in the long run. The latest big transaction in the industry was the sale of the Russia.com domain name for a hefty $1.5 million, as the Quitura blog reports.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Russia-com-Fetches-1-5-Million-128222.shtml

Mystery Buyer Coughs Up $1.5 Million For Russia.com
The domain name russia.com has been purchased by an undisclosed buyer for $1.5 million through marketplace Sedo, reports Yakov Sadchikov over on the Quintura blog.
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/11/26/russia-com-domain-name-sold/

Russia.com Sold for $1.5 Million
Russia.comThe domain named Russia.com was sold for $1.5 million through domain name marketplace Sedo. It?s one of the largest prices paid in 2009 for domain name. The buyer was not disclosed.
http://blog.quintura.com/2009/11/26/russia-com-sold-for-1-5-million/

Six-Figure Sale of Whiskey.com and More Than 40 Five-Figure Sales Add Up to a Good Week for the Domain Aftermarket
RickLatona.com closed the $185,000 sale of Whiskey.com (from their live auction at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. New York last month) to easily take the #1 position on this week's Top 20 Domain Sales chart. Year to date, Whiskey.com bellies up to the bar as one of the 35 biggest sales of 2009. Another highlight of the past seven days was the huge number of solid five-figure sales completed - 41 in all. That is nearly twice the number we see in that range in an average week.
http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2009/20091125.htm

Photon Announces Revised Unconditional Takeover Bid For Dark Blue Sea
Dark Blue SeaIn a joint press release issued today, domain name company Dark Blue Sea and Photon Group announced Photon?s unconditional buyout offer of DBS shares at 35 cents per share.
http://www.domainnamenews.com/acquisitions/photon-announces-unconditional-bid-dark-blue-sea-shares/6711

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RESEARCH PAPERS
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Intellectual Property Law in Internet by Dr. Tabrez Ahmad [KIIT Law School, KIIT University]
Abstract: The rapid technological changes and the convergence of telecommunication, broadcasting and information technology challenge the existing legal institutions. The delicate balance of rights and obligations of intermediaries of Internet such as copyright owners, domain name holders, consumers, netizens and internet service providers can be upset when trying to keep the legal developments abreast with the technological advances.
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1511183

Copyright Infringement in Cyberspace and Network Security: A Threat to E-Commerce by Dr. Tabrez Ahmad [KIIT Law School, KIIT University]
Abstract: Information Technology is growing faster than any other communication vehicle in the history mankind. Invention of digital technology was the most important revolution in the last century. The influence of digital technology on information technology is phenomenal. The present millennium is witnessing a new culture that is internet culture. It is changing our life style and way of doing business form traditional commerce to e-commerce. Originally confined to military establishment internet has due to its speed, intercreativity and flexibility, tremendous potential to disseminated information beyond the geographical boundaries.
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1511187

OECD: Computer Viruses and Other Malicious Software - A Threat to the Internet Economy
Malware attacks are increasing both in frequency and sophistication, thus posing a serious threat to the Internet economy and to national security. This book is a first step toward addressing the threat of malware in a comprehensive, global manner. It informs readers about malware -- its growth, evolution and countermeasures to combat it; presents new research into the economic incentives driving cyber-security decisions; and makes specific suggestions on how the international community can better work together to address the problem.
http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/display.asp?CID=&LANG=EN&SF1=DI&ST1=5KZ9M1Q1116F
http://browse.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/pdfs/browseit/9309011E.PDF

OECD: Innovation in the Software Sector
This book throws a spotlight on innovation across the software universe, setting out key issues and highlighting policy perspectives. It spans research and development, invention, production, distribution and use of software in the market. It also covers core innovation themes from a user perspective -- including security and privacy, mobility, interoperability, accessibility and reliability.
http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/display.asp?CID=&LANG=EN&SF1=DI&ST1=5KSB2JR8CV9W
http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/get-it.asp?REF=9309051E.PDF

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INTERNET USE
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The dark side of the internet
In the 'deep web', Freenet software allows users complete anonymity as they share viruses, criminal contacts and child pornography
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/nov/26/dark-side-internet-freenet

Google and News Corp. Do Need Each Other
When a media industry insider last week floated the idea of an exclusive deal to list News Corp. content on Microsoft?s Bing search engine, stiffing Google in the process, it drew some predictable responses.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/30/business/media/30iht-cache30.html

Internet pulls curtain on porn publishers
They can gird their loins and stiffen their resolve all they like, but for porn publishers the pun stops here. Because, despite what the billboards promise, it seems there isn't a potent enough nasal spray in the world to rouse the moribund adult magazine market.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/internet-pulls-curtain-on-porn-publishers/story-e6frg996-1225805136532

Online blitz constricts the circulation of Playboy
The Playboy Mansion is still prominent on the list of those who peddle bus tours past the homes of the rich and famous in Tinseltown to starry-eyed tourists.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/online-blitz-constricts-the-circulation-of-playboy/story-e6frg996-1225805138704

Ingenuity and hard work - 20 years of internet in Australia [AAP]
Only two decades ago if you told somebody that the world would be electronically connected, with people in Sydney able to talk to those in New York, London and Tokyo with the click of a button, you would probably have been laughed at.
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/ingenuity-and-hard-work--20-years-of-internet-in-australia-20091126-jsjd.html
http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/ingenuity-and-hard-work--20-years-of-internet-in-australia-20091126-jsjd.html

Internet activists push for greater democracy [AP]
The Internet can be a powerful medium for politicians to get their message across but it is also a vital means for civilians to have a say in what politicians do, participants in a political conference say.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/25/AR2009112502037.html

Wikipedia denies mass exodus of editors
Wikipedia has disputed claims that it has lost a huge number of editors that help maintain the online encyclopaedia.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8382477.stm

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NEW TECHNOLOGIES
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Google's Chrome OS rival to Microsoft could become our Big Brother
A basic principle of warfare is never to fight on terrain chosen ? or dominated ? by your enemy. This principle seemed to explain why, as Google rose to challenge Microsoft as the world's most powerful technology company, the one market it eschewed was that for operating systems. That territory was dominated by Bill Gates & Co and so Google concentrated on building dominance in areas where Microsoft was feeble or non-existent: search, cloud computing, web applications, advertising. It all seemed so sensible.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/nov/29/google-attempts-to-dominate-microsoft

Is Google Chrome OS cloud computing's silver lining?
It's based on open source, but Chrome, Google's cloud computing OS, will lock users into an unmodifiable world. Is this limiting or liberating?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/nov/25/google-chrome-cloud-computing

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CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION
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Research to help define Australian cyber-safety environment [news release]
A new research project will explore cyber-safety and cyber-security issues facing Australian children. "The online environment offers a world of opportunity for young people and families, but it is important they are empowered to confront emerging problems, such as security of personal information and cyber-bullying," the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy said.
http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/106

au: Conroy promises filter report in "due course"
A month after admitting to receiving the ISP filtering live trial report, the office of Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has committed to releasing it in "due course".
http://www.zdnet.com.au/insight/communications/soa/Conroy-promises-filter-report-in-due-course-/0,139023754,339299734,00.htm

Aus gov dredges up cuter panic-button for kids online
Salvation for children who feel threatened, harassed or bullied on the internet may be close at hand, in the shape of a user-friendly dolphin-shaped "panic button".
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/11/26/australian_dolphin_patrol/

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ONLINE TV & MUSIC
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Dutch court ruling forces Mininova to end illegal torrents
The Netherlands-based file-sharing website Mininova has removed all torrents that enabled users to download copyright-protected material. The move follows a ruling in a Netherlands district court three months ago ordering the firm to remove links to illegal content.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8382012.stm

Torrent Giant Mininova Forced to Go Legit
Mininova, one of the largest peer too peer (P2P) file sharing sites next to The Pirate Bay, has now removed most of its links to copyrighted content. The site complied with a Dutch court ruling from August, which Miniova is considering appealing. Netherlands-based Mininova has risen in recent months as one of the most popular torrent sites on the Internet, alongside The Pirate Bay, which is still maintaining a strong presence despite fines and threats to close down the site. But Mininova had to comply with a court ruling from three months ago, which ordered the site to remove all the links to illegal content. Removing all illegal torrents from Mininova would mainly leave the site without content. Mininova used to link to several popular categories of copyrighted files, such as TV rips of U.S. prime-time shows (Heroes, Stargate Universe, Fringe, etc.) and the latest music releases from popular artists (Jay Z, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, etc.). Mininova
 also used to be visited by over five million users daily, but only legal content will be available from now on through the site's Content Distribution service. This will probably turn away most of the visitors to more obscure torrent sites, in search for popular content. The eradication of torrent sites? Due to declining sales, the music and movie giants have been targeting large illegal file sharing hotspots on the Internet. Mininova's demise is only the latest move in what it looks like an attempt to eradicate torrent sites. The most popular case so far has been The Pirate Bay, which stirred a round of controversy around the world back in April. Since then, we have seen yet another torrent site going under the radar, Demonoid, due to alleged hardware problems. Now, Mininova is just the latest illegal torrents site to fall under the axe of authorities. However, it is likely that the illegal content that made sites such as Mininova popular will find
 another home very soon. There are already other up and coming sites serving such content (BTjunkie, isoHunt), next to The Pirate Bay, which despite court orders, still keeps its online presence going. Mininova, one of the largest peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing sites next to The Pirate Bay, has now removed most of its links to copyrighted content. The site complied with a Dutch court ruling from August. Mininova has said it is considering appealing that ruling.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/183278/torrent_giant_mininova_forced_to_go_legit.html
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/327947/

au: AFACT v iiNet: Judge denies Internet Industry Association application to be heard in the trial
The Internet Industry Association?s (IIA) application to be heard in the trial between Perth ISP iiNet and AFACT was rejected by the Federal Court today, after its submission was ruled irrelevant.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/327828/

UK Virgin Media to monitor traffic for file-sharing
Virgin Media is to monitor its customers' data packets in an effort to gauge the level of unlawful file-sharing on its networks.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/security/0,1000000189,39906062,00.htm

Lawyers target thousands of British 'illegal' file-sharers
Around 15,000 suspected pirates may soon get legal letters accusing them of illegally sharing movies and games. ACS:Law plans to send notes to the accused in the new year offering a chance to settle out of court for "several hundreds of pounds".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8381097.stm

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ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL
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Computer hacker Gary McKinnon to be extradited to US
Computer hacker Gary McKinnon, who has Asperger's syndrome, is at serious risk of suicide, relatives said today, after the home secretary rejected a last-ditch attempt to prevent his extradition to the US.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/26/computer-hacker-gary-mckinnon-extradition

Geoffrey Robertson: An immoral and unlawful decision
The Home Secretary has decided he is powerless to stop the extradition of Gary McKinnon to Virginia, where he will be denied bail and sentenced to at least 10 years' imprisonment for an offence that would not deserve custodial sentence in Britain and notwithstanding the fact that he has Asperger's and is very likely to commit suicide.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/geoffrey-robertson-an-immoral-and-unlawful-decision-1829889.html

Hacker Gary McKinnon to appeal after extradition blow
The "devastated" lawyers for computer hacker Gary McKinnon are to challenge the home secretary's decision not to block his extradition to the US.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8382066.stm

Hacker loses final appeal against extradition to US
A last-ditch appeal to prevent a computer hacker from being extradited to the United States has been dismissed by the Home Secretary.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hacker-loses-final-appeal-against-extradition-to-us-1828749.html

Gary McKinnon's hopes fade as Home Secretary says he is powerless to stop extradition
Hopes of a reprieve for Gary McKinnon, the British computer hacker facing extradition to the US, were dashed last night after the Government said that it was powerless to intervene.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6934133.ece

Cyber-criminals cashing in with online pharmacies
Thousands of Britons are putting their health and bank accounts at risk by going online to buy drugs from bogus internet pharmacies run by Russian cyber-criminals, according to a new report.
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6935651.ece

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CENSORSHIP
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Opinion: Free Speech and the Internet
To appreciate the full bouquet of challenges that the Internet is posing to the modern nation state, look no further than the case of two German men who are waging a legal battle against the U.S.-based Wikimedia Foundation ? the charity behind the online encyclopedia ? for violating their rights to privacy. In 1990 the two men killed a German actor, were sentenced to life in prison in 1993, and were released on parole a few years ago. The German law allows them to start afresh; the media has been barred from mentioning their full names in relation to the crime.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/28/opinion/28iht-edmorozov.html

Michelle Obama 'racist' picture that is topping Google Images removed
A blog hosting an offensive image of Michelle Obama with monkey features has removed it and posted an apology.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/nov/25/michelle-obama-google-images-removed

China's Export of Censorship
The Chinese government?s effort to prevent dissident authors from taking part in the prestigious Frankfurt Book Fair, an international showcase for freedom of expression, has offered Germany a close-up view of China?s intolerance of dissent.
http://www.feer.com/politics/2009/october54/Chinas-Export-of-Censorship

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GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
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French minister wants Europe to take on Google
European Union members want to create a joint project on the digitisation of books, French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand said, challenging Google's plan to create a massive digital library.
http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-44302520091127
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE5AQ4IK20091127

OECD: Ask your question about e-commerce!
Make your voice heard at the OECD conference on empowering e-consumers, to be held on 8-10 December in Washington, DC. As of today and throughout the conference, the public is invited to submit questions to the panellists. What do you think about e-commerce? Do you feel safe when making purchases online? Have you experienced any obstacles when buying from foreign countries? What are your questions or ideas? Ask the experts and express your opinion about e-commerce.
http://www.oecd.org/topic/0,2686,en_2649_37441_1_1_1_1_37441,00.html

UK Government net disconnections could scupper free Wi-Fi and breach EU laws, says expert
The Government's Digital Economy Bill could be in breach of EU laws, according to an internet law expert. Professor Lilian Edwards has also warned that the Bill could make it impossible to operate a free wireless network legally.
http://out-law.com/page-10558

Viviane Reding picked to re-write EU data protection laws [IDG]
Viviane Reding, the European Commissioner who for the past five years has championed consumer rights in the telecommunications and IT arenas, has been picked to take charge of a re-write of the European Union's 15-year-old data protection laws due to start next year.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/112709-viviane-reding-picked-to-re-write.html
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9141540/Viviane_Reding_picked_to_re_write_EU_data_protection_laws

au: Conroy must stand firm in NBN negotiations with Telstra
Failure of the telecoms reform bill to get through Parliament has given Telstra a window of opportunity to wring from the Government more favourable terms in return for its involvement in the NBN.
http://www.itwire.com/content/view/29664/1095/

nz: COMMENT: The politicisation of fibre creates risks for carriers
So the Coalition-controlled Senate Select Committee into the National Broadband Network makes a series of recommendations?largely aimed at accountability? late Thursday and already its report has been buried by the far greater intrigues of climate policy and the future Liberal leadership.
http://www.commsday.com/node/700

White House comments on net neutrality irk AT& T
AT&T doesn't like the idea of new regulations mandating unfettered access to the Internet, and recent comments from the Obama administration that connected the issue to censorship in China have really gotten under its skin.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/24/AR2009112404175.html

us: Internet Gambling Ban Delayed Six Months
The Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve announced today that regulations designed to ban Internet gambling are being delayed by six months, giving U.S. financial institutions additional time to comply.The two agencies said the new rules, which were to take effect on Dec. 1, would be delayed until June 1.But it remains in question whether the rules will ever go into force. In their joint notice, Treasury and the Federal Reserve said several lawmakers had sought a delay, arguing there was considerable support for new legislation to clarify the current laws.
http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/11/internet-gambling-ban-delayed.php

US delays crackdown on Internet gambling [AFP]
The US Treasury Department and Federal Reserve Board delayed for six months on Friday the enforcement of new rules designed to crack down on Internet gambling.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/us-delays-crackdown-on-internet-gambling-20091128-jxc5.html
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/us-delays-crackdown-on-internet-gambling-20091128-jxc5.html

au: It can't get worse than Minchin: Budde
The ICT industry couldn't get a worse shadow communications minister than Nick Minchin, according to telecommunications analyst Paul Budde. Minchin confirmed that he has resigned from his role, effective at the end of next week.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/327929/
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/112709-it-cant-get-worse-than.html

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TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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nz: One law for all on broadband, officials tell MPs
The government will have to make sure its broadband strategy does not end up with a ?duplication? of the debates it had over Telecom?s network and retail arms, the commerce select committee was told today.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/one-law-all-broadband-officials-tell-mps-115513

Appeal to rebuild Samoan Telecentres
An appeal has been launched to raise money to rebuild four Telecentres destroyed in the earthquake and tsunami that struck Samoa in September.
http://www.techday.co.nz/telecommunicationsreview/news/appeal-to-rebuild-samoan-telecentres/14925/

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ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION
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au: Former teacher facing child porn charges
A former drama teacher at a private girls' school in Melbourne has been committed to stand trial, accused of using students to make child pornography.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/27/2755465.htm

au: Former drama teacher on child-porn charges
A former drama teacher at a Melbourne girls' school has been accused of making child pornography and installing a spy camera to capture students undressing.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/former-drama-teacher-on-childporn-charges-20091127-jwga.html

au: Journo gets bail on child porn charges [AAP] 
Journalist and father-of-three Paul Nyssen is facing child pornography charges, with police further alleging he's the mastermind of an online chat group used to access illegal images.
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-national/journo-gets-bail-on-child-porn-charges-20091126-juc8.html
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/journo-gets-bail-on-child-porn-charges-20091126-juc8.html

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(c) David Goldstein 2009


 ---------


David Goldstein


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Received on Sun Nov 29 2009 - 18:33:58 UTC

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