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 Status Report to the GNSO Council on AGP Limits Policy Implementation http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-16dec09-en.htm ICANN Consultation on New gTLD Registry Agreement http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-15dec09-en.htm Expressions of Interest Move Ahead: New TLDs Get Closer by Antony Van Couvering http://www.circleid.com/posts/20091215_expressions_of_interest_move_ahead_new_tlds_get_closer/ ICANN Board approves plan for Expressions Of Interests in new gTLDs! http://stephanevangelder.com/archives/295-ICANN-Board-approves-plan-for-Expressions-Of-Interests-in-new-gTLDs!.html ICANN to Hold Live Consultation on New gTLD Registry Agreement http://domainnamewire.com/2009/12/16/icann-to-hold-live-consultation-on-new-gtld-registry-agreement/ China tightens grip with review of personal websites http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bc9684f6-e95d-11de-be51-00144feab49a.html Spam-linked Chinese domain registrar caught in porn cleanup [IDG] http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/121509-spam-linked-chinese-domain-registrar-caught.html Internet Gambling: Kentucky Asks Court to Add US Defendants to Domain Seizure List http://www.point-spreads.com/industry/121609-internet-gambling-kentucky-asks-court-to-add-us-defendants-to-domain-seizure-list.html Will 2010 be the year of IPv6? http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/121609-outlook-ipv6.html Cape Verde, Somalia lead way in Africa domain operations [IDG] http://www.infoworld.com/t/software-service/cape-verde-somalia-lead-way-in-africa-domain-operations-302 ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** BBC's Digital Planet reports from the IGF The BBC's Jonathan Charles reports from the Internet Governance Forum in Egypt where the case has been made for greater inclusion of the world's languages, including Arabic. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0053g1z ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** ICANN Status Report to the GNSO Council on AGP Limits Policy Implementation ICANN today is posting its second status report to the GNSO on the implementation of its recommendations for the Add Grace Period (AGP) Limits Policy. ICANN is committed to analyzing and reporting on the effects of the Policy to the GNSO at six-month intervals for two years after its implementation. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-16dec09-en.htm ICANN Consultation on New gTLD Registry Agreement ICANN invites community participation in an open consultation regarding the proposed registry agreement for new gTLDs. This meeting is being organized in response to a commitment made by ICANN at its meetings in Seoul to continue discussions with the community about open issues in the agreement, including the process for amending the agreement, aspects of registry services reviews, and restrictions on registry operators' ability to distribute names through affiliated registrars (e.g., vertical separation). http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-15dec09-en.htm Expressions of Interest Move Ahead: New TLDs Get Closer by Antony Van Couvering It looks as if new top-level domains are getting ever closer to the opening bell. Preliminary minutes from the December 9 2009 ICANN Board of Directors meeting suggest that the Board may authorize Expressions of Interest (EOI) at their February 10th meeting. The vote was unanimous. Even with a long (four-month) communications period, which ICANN would use to tell everyone in the world about EOIs and new gTLDs, that would mean submission of EOIs in June 2010. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20091215_expressions_of_interest_move_ahead_new_tlds_get_closer/ ICANN Board approves plan for Expressions Of Interests in new gTLDs! The EOI, or Expressions Of Interest in the new gTLD program, took a step closer to reality during the ICANN Board meeting on December 9. http://stephanevangelder.com/archives/295-ICANN-Board-approves-plan-for-Expressions-Of-Interests-in-new-gTLDs!.html ICANN to Hold Live Consultation on New gTLD Registry Agreement ICANN has scheduled a live consultation regarding the new top level domain name registry agreement for Thursday, 7 January 2010. The goal of the consultation is to discuss open issues in the agreement including: the process for amending the agreement, aspects of registry services reviews, and registry/registrar separation. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/12/16/icann-to-hold-live-consultation-on-new-gtld-registry-agreement/ ICANN May Green Light EOIs for New Top Level Domains in February The idea for ?Expressions of Interest? for new top level domain names cleared a hurdle last week, as ICANN?s board asked staff to push forward on the idea. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/12/15/icann-may-green-light-eois-for-new-top-level-domains-in-february/ Comments 15-0 Against Expedited UDRP. So What Will ICANN Do? ICANN says it takes community feedback into consideration when managing the domain name system. But clearly it?s not a majority rule system. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/12/15/comments-15-0-against-expedited-udrp-so-what-will-icann-do/ In the wild world of URL shorteners, Libya is king ... Unlike top-level domains (.com, .net and .org), country-code domains aren't regulated by the International Corp. for Assigned Names and Numbers. For top-level domains, "we accredit organizations that sell those domains," said Kim Davies, a manager at the Marina del Rey-based ICANN. "We're contractually connected to them." http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/12/international-domains-url-shortener.html One Character gTLDs Recommended In the midst of the flurry of activity at ICANN recently, the Final Report on 3-Character Requirement and Variant Management (link here) can easily be overlooked, but it should not be. http://idnblog.com/2009/12/15/character-gtlds-recommended/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** DotAsia Publishes Draft IDN Launch Policies [news release] Following the announcement on November 18, 2009, DotAsia today published a draft of the IDN launch policies for discussion. The policies will be finalized after the Kuala Lumpur APRICOT meetings in February 2010, where the Annual General Meeting of DotAsia will be held, for the launch process to begin later in the year. http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/12/15/dotasia-publishes-draft-idn-launch-policies/ http://dot.asia/pressreleases/DotAsia-PR-IDN-Sunrise-Policy-Draft-2009-12-15.pdf Bulgaria Ministry Publishes Cyrillic Domain Name Questionnaire Bulgaria?s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has published an online questionnaire to analyze which organizations would register their Internet domain name in Cyrillic. http://www.novinite.com/newsletter/print.php?id=111054 China tightens grip with review of personal websites China has banned individuals from registering internet domain names and launched a review of millions of existing personal websites in the toughest government censorship drive so far on the internet. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bc9684f6-e95d-11de-be51-00144feab49a.html China tightens control on domain name registration Applications for registering domain names will face strict rules as the country intensifies its effort to fight against pornographic websites, the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) has announced Friday. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-12/14/content_9174767.htm Chinese government bans people from registering web addresses Individuals in China will no longer be allowed to register .cn domain names, the government-controlled domain name registry has said. It is unclear what the fate of existing personal internet addresses will be. http://out-law.com/page-10600 China announces ".cn" registration overhaul Chinese officials have enacted a new set of registration guidelines which experts say could help curb cybercrime on ".cn" domains. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2255013/china-announces-cn-registration CNNIC Halts Website Domain Name Registration For Individuals In China Chinese domain name supervision organization China Internet Network Information Center announced that starting from 21:00 on December 14, 2009, it closed domain name registrations for individual users who are not purchasing domains on behalf of companies or organizations. http://www.chinatechnews.com/2009/12/15/11208-cnnic-halts-website-domain-name-registration-for-individuals-in-china China tightens rule on domain name registration Applications for registering domain names will face strict rules as the country intensifies its effort to fight against pornographic websites, the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) has announced Friday. http://www.china.org.cn/china/2009-12/15/content_19066234.htm Spam-linked Chinese domain registrar caught in porn cleanup [IDG] A Chinese domain registrar long criticized for serving malicious domains promised stricter oversight on Tuesday after being censured in a government crackdown on Internet porn. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/121509-spam-linked-chinese-domain-registrar-caught.html http://news.techworld.com/networking/3208825/chinese-domain-registrar-slapped-with-porn-warning/?intcmp=nws-hm-l http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=93257FB6-1A64-6A71-CEF2CECD8A2EE9D4 http://www.itworld.com/security/89268/spam-linked-chinese-domain-registrar-caught-porn-cleanup http://www.pcworld.com/article/184666/.html Domain names get international flavor The European Commission has introduced the use of non-Roman characters in .eu domain names, allowing the names to incorporate characters from all twenty-three official languages of the European Union for the first time. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/0,1000000097,39936979,00.htm http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-373312.html EU opens Web addresses Businesses and organisations across the European Union (EU) can register .eu Web addresses from today that contain characters from all 23 official languages of the EU, says Computing.co.uk. http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28875:eu-opens-web-addresses&catid=147:internet&Itemid=68 EU Allows Local Language URLs The process of making the web more inclusive rolls on with non-Latin letters allowed in website domains using the .eu suffix http://www.eweekeurope.co.uk/news/eu-allows-local-language-urls-2747 Why I Am Not Buying IDN.EU Domain Names I have been asked if I am participating in the IDN.EU landrush. 3,127,585 .EU names have been registered. EURid is a first class organization. I believe in acquiring IDNs. And IDN.eu domains can now be registered. But I am not registering IDN.eu domain names. Why? http://idnblog.com/2009/12/16/buying-idn-eu-domain-names/ Price war cuts cost of dot.ie domain names by half The leading players in the area of dot.ie website address sales have begun a price war in the run-up to the end of the year ? resulting in the average price of a dot.ie domain name being reduced by 50%. http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/kfauqlideysn/ Average price of dot.ie domains drops A price war has begun between the leading players in the area of dot.ie website address sales ? resulting in the average price of a dot.ie domain name being reduced by 50%. http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/business/average-price-of-dotie-domains-drops-438381.html http://www.breakingnews.ie/business/average-price-of-dotie-domains-drops-438381.html Hong Kong websites to be offered Chinese character domain names [DPA] Thousands of Hong Kong websites look set to be offered an extra domain name with the ".hk" suffix written in Chinese characters from next year, officials confirmed Monday. The move, which is to affect around 200,000 Hong Kong sites, follows recent changes which allow web addresses to be written entirely in non-Latin scripts such as Chinese, Russian and Japanese. http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/299177,hong-kong-websites-to-be-offered-chinese-character-domain-names.html http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=331989&version=1&template_id=45&parent_id=25 Domain name dispute resolution in Malaysia Today?s domain names have become important identifiers for businesses, joining other identifiers protected by intellectual property rights such as trademarks. http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2009/12/16/technology/20091216114822&sec=technology Postal services get exclusive '.post' Internet address [Relax News] Global postal services will soon have their own address on the Internet, after the web's authority for assigning domain names ICANN, said on Friday that it had approved the new address dot post (.post). http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/postal-services-get-exclusive-post-internet-address-1840451.html .Post approved as new top-level domain for postal organization Web sites The group that manages the Internet's address system inked its first-ever agreement late last week with a U.N. agency to operate the newest top-level generic Internet address. Under the agreement with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, the Switzerland-based Universal Postal Union will operate the .post Internet domain name. The UPU will be responsible for determining the rules under which postal organizations around the world can obtain the new .post Internet address. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20091214_1676.php http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/12/post-the-newest-net-address.php sr: US company files multi-million dollar lawsuit against Suriname's Telesur A US-based company has filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Suriname?s national telephone company Telesur and three company officials for alleged ?breach of contract, defamation and tortious interference with business relationships?, claiming US$ 100 million in damages. The plaintiff, Dot SR Inc, a Florida registered company, claims that within 90 days of execution of the 2001 agreement signed between Telesur and Dot SR, Telesur and its officials, including Telesur?s CEO, Dirk Currie, violated the contract by purposely not fulfilling their contractual obligations to appoint Dot (SR) as the Technical Contact and not developing a Domain Policy. http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-20426--36-36--.html ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Cyber Terrorism Is a Real Threat, and for the First Time Both Russia and the US Acknowledge It by Veni Markovski Eugene Kaspersky, CEO and co-founder of Internet security giant Kaspersky Lab said last week, as reported by ITWeb, that "terrorists could build a botnet that could bring down the entire Internet structure". Mr. Kaspersky ended his speech with the statement that "a global cyber police force, and global cooperation between law enforcement agencies and governments is needed". http://www.circleid.com/posts/20091214_cyber_terrorism_real_threat_russia_us_acknowledge/ ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Paris? War on U.S. Domain Owners Coming to a Head For years, the City of Paris (Ville de Paris) has been waging a war on U.S. domain name owners. It has threatened owners of many domains, including Paris.com and Paris.tv, asserting exclusive rights to any domain that includes ?Paris? in it. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/12/14/paris-war-on-u-s-domain-owners-coming-to-a-head/ Internet Gambling: Kentucky Asks Court to Add US Defendants to Domain Seizure List Lawyers representing the Commonwealth of Kentucky have asked the Franklin County Circuit court to add names of US citizens and companies to a lawsuit that seeks the forfeiture of 141 Internet domain names. Kentucky?s effort to seize those Web site names, all related to Internet gambling, had been blocked by a January 2009 decision from the Kentucky Court of Appeals, in favor of iMEGA and other groups, including the Interactive Gaming Council and Sportsbook.com, representing the domain owners. http://www.point-spreads.com/industry/121609-internet-gambling-kentucky-asks-court-to-add-us-defendants-to-domain-seizure-list.html Kentucky Attorneys File Motion to Amend Internet Gambling Complaint In a rather bizarre twist in the Kentucky internet gambling case, Commonwealth attorneys filed a motion on Wednesday to add parties to its case and amend its original complaint. In late October, the Kentucky Supreme Court heard the case. http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/kentucky-attorneys-file-motion-to-amend-internet-gambling-complaint-7046/ Kentucky Files Motion in Online Gambling Case as Last Resort Seen as a "desperation move" of sorts, the Commonwealth of Kentucky has filed a Motion for Leave to Join Additional Parties and to Amend their Complaint. Kentucky is now claiming that, because there are Americans running some of the 141 online gambling companies the Commonwealth is looking to seize, and as such are no longer considered to be "outside the said jurisdiction". http://www.gambling911.com/gambling-news/kentucky-files-motion-online-gambling-case-last-resort-121609.html WIPO launches paperless UDRP proceedings Even as going green has become the buzzword of the day in the backdrop of the debate on climate change and the Copenhagen Summit, the World Intellectual Property Organization, (WIPO) said it is is launching paperless procedures in matters relating to domain name dispute from today. http://www.ciol.com/Global-News/News-Reports/WIPO-launches-paperless-UDRP-proceedings/141209128936/0/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Will 2010 be the year of IPv6? Will IPv6 finally arrive stateside in 2010? That's the question U.S. ISPs and network equipment vendors are asking themselves after seeing a rise in IPv6 activity during the last six months of 2009. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/121609-outlook-ipv6.html http://www.thestandard.com/news/2009/12/16/will-2010-be-year-ipv6 http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=999CDB34-1A64-67EA-E4252A317D0CFE95 http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/330183/ http://www.techworld.com.au/article/330183/ http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/330183/ http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/330183/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Cape Verde, Somalia lead way in Africa domain operations [IDG] The tiny Atlantic island of Cape Verde and conflict-torn Somalia took over their country-code domain operations in 2009, demonstrating that political will as well as investments in training and technical operations are the essential requirements for African nations that want to manage their own domains. http://www.infoworld.com/t/software-service/cape-verde-somalia-lead-way-in-africa-domain-operations-302 http://www.thestandard.com/news/2009/12/15/cape-verde-somalia-lead-way-africa-domain-operations http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=9317C613-1A64-67EA-E4C705A2E8E80415 BBC's Digital Planet looks at Vint Cerf's smart home Gareth Mitchell travels to Copenhagen to explore the innovations behind the Green Lighthouse, Denmark's first carbon neutral public building on the campus of the University of Copenhagen. Vint Cerf, one of the founding fathers of the internet, explains how he has employed smart technology in his home to make it more energy efficient. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0055zl9 Egypt Puts Archives On Web To Boost Arabic Content Egypt has begun making its national archives digitally available on the Internet in Arabic, having last month registered the world's first domain name in Arabic script. http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-44710820091214 http://ca.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idCATRE5BD40420091214 http://www.postchronicle.com/news/technology/article_212273277.shtml http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/egypt-boost-arabic-content-web-3301910 http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/12/14/technology/tech-us-egypt-internet.html Go Daddy Revenue Tops $750 Million Yesterday I wrote about Go Daddy?s revenue for 2009, and I extrapolated that the company grossed $600 million this year. That?s an incredible number ? but the real number is even higher. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/12/15/go-daddy-revenue-tops-750-million/ Here We Go Again: Utah Introduces Its Own ?Snowe? Bill To Take Your Domains Away: The Utah E-Commerce Integrity Act Senator Stephen Urquhart a state senator in Utah, and Chairman of the Transportation and Public Utilities and Technology Committee, is sponsoring a law called the ?UTAH E-COMMERCE INTEGRITY ACT? which among other things ?prohibits the registration of domain names under certain circumstances, commonly referred to as cybersquatting and provides civil and criminal penalties for violation. http://www.thedomains.com/2009/12/16/utah-e-commerce-integrity-act/ ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Rick Latona Auctions starts charity auction on behalf of WhyPark.com ? Registration and Bidding now open on beta platform. [news release] Rick Latona Auctions has been working on a proprietary auction platform in collaboration with its sister companies. This week only, it?ll be open to preview and beta test at www.latonas.com. Once the auction is complete the system will be locked back down. http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/12/15/rick-latona-auctions-whyparkcom/ End of Domain Name Auction Sites Having eBay has worked out pretty well for the world at large; now it's time for the world of domain names to start using it. We need to throw away the jumble of different auctions and dealer sites. Speculators may not like having their haunts cleaned out, but corporate (end-user) buyers and investors will welcome the chance to deal with one centralized auction mechanism with one set of rules. http://www.circleid.com/posts/end_of_domain_name_auction_sites/ ********************** RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** Teens and Sexting Overview: As texting has become a centerpiece in teen social life, parents, educators and advocates have grown increasingly concerned about the role of cell phones in the sexual lives of teens and young adults. A new survey from the Pew Research Center?s Internet & American Life Project found that 4% of cell-owning teens ages 12-17 say they have sent sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude images or videos of themselves to someone else via text messaging, a practice also known as ?sexting?; 15% say they have received such images of someone they know via text message. http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/Teens-and-Sexting.aspx ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Nearly two-thirds of Australian households now have broadband: ABS [news release] As of June 2009, just over five million households had broadband, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). http://abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs§.nsf/mediareleasesbyReleaseDate/180CCDDCB50AFA02CA257522001A3F4B We can't see the forest for the T-Mobiles: As we consume Apples and BlackBerrys, natural world beats a sensory retreat You know you have crossed the river into Cyberland when the guy coming your way has his head buried in the hand-held screen. He will knock into you unless you get out of his way, and don't expect an apology. It's as if you aren't there. Maybe you're not. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/14/AR2009121403347.html Newspaper sales plunge over the decade ... In the past decade, the overwhelming majority of journalists believe the internet is to blame, plus the growing availability of information through mobile phones. That, at least, makes sense. But it cannot be the definitive reason because the gradual, but inexorable, circulation decline predated the widespread use of the net through the extension of broadband. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/dec/14/national-newspapers-sales-decade ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Facebook to Monitor Berlusconi Content Facebook said Tuesday that it would monitor content on its Web site dealing with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy following an attack at a political rally that left him hospitalized. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/technology/internet/16iht-face.html Italy contemplates Web restrictions after Berlusconi attack [IDG] The Italian government has proposed introducing new restrictions on the Internet after a Facebook fan page for the man who allegedly attacked Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Sunday drew almost 100,000 users in under 48 hours. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/121609-italy-contemplates-web-restrictions-after.html How Facebook Is Making Friending Obsolete Friending wasn't used as a verb until about five years ago, when social networks such as Friendster, MySpace and Facebook burst onto the scene. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126084637203791583.html Facebook boss changes privacy settings Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has changed the privacy settings on his personal page to open it up to friends of friends. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8411616.stm Facebook sues men for allegedly phishing, spamming Facebook's latest lawsuit accuses three men of getting access to Facebook user accounts by phishing and then sending spam from their accounts. http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10416265-245.html Iranian elections top Twitter topic for 2009 [AFP] Iran's controversial presidential election was the top Twitter topic in 2009, according to the wildly popular microblogging service. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/iranian-elections-top-twitter-topic-for-2009-20091216-kwgp.html ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** Australia behind China, Turkey, South Korea in ICT Sustainability Index Australia has been ranked in the bottom half of G20 nations for its ability to use ICT to reduce CO2 emissions according to IDC's recently launched ICT Sustainability Index. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/329800/ BBC's Digital Planet looks at Vint Cerf's smart home Gareth Mitchell travels to Copenhagen to explore the innovations behind the Green Lighthouse, Denmark's first carbon neutral public building on the campus of the University of Copenhagen. Vint Cerf, one of the founding fathers of the internet, explains how he has employed smart technology in his home to make it more energy efficient. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0055zl9 ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ Green light for internet filter plans The Federal Government has detailed its plan to require internet service providers (ISPs) in Australia to block a list of banned material. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/15/2772467.htm Attempt to censor child porn, violence against woman, bestiality and other offensive material on internet Internet sites that feature acts of child pornography, violence against women, bestiality and detailed instruction of crime or drug use will be blocked from reaching Australian users under controversial legislation backed by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/attempt-to-censor-child-porn-violence-against-woman-bestiality-and-other-offensive-material-on-internet/story-e6frgakx-1225810746193 Web filter to block internet nasties will compromise NBN, say providers Internet service providers believe Labor's filter to block web nasties could well neuter its cherished national broadband network. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/web-filter-to-block-internet-nasties-will-compromise-nbn-say-providers/story-e6frg6nf-1225811143407 Outcry on internet censorship The Federal Government's proposal for an internet filter faces a barrage of criticism, including from both sides of politics and a former High Court judge. http://www.theage.com.au/national/outcry-on-internet-censorship-20091216-kxhy.html Net filters 'thin end of the wedge': Kirby Former High Court judge Michael Kirby has criticised the Federal Government's internet censorship agenda, saying it could stop the "Berlin Walls of the future" from being knocked down. http://www.watoday.com.au/technology/technology-news/net-filters-thin-end-of-the-wedge-kirby-20091217-kyeu.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/net-filters-thin-end-of-the-wedge-kirby-20091217-kyeu.html http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/technology-news/net-filters-thin-end-of-the-wedge-kirby-20091217-kyeu.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/net-filters-thin-end-of-the-wedge-kirby-20091217-kyeu.html Net censorship move a smokescreen: expert One of Australia's top communications experts says the Government's internet censorship trials were designed to succeed from the outset, presented no new information and are now being used by the Government to further its political agenda. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/net-censorship-move-a-smokescreen-expert-20091216-kw7d.html http://www.watoday.com.au/technology/technology-news/net-censorship-move-a-smokescreen-expert-20091216-kw7d.html http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/technology-news/net-censorship-move-a-smokescreen-expert-20091216-kw7d.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/net-censorship-move-a-smokescreen-expert-20091216-kw7d.html Conroy's Clean Feed Won't Block Child P*rn Stephen Conroy's clean feed report was released yesterday and at first glance, it doesn't make a strong case for the technical feasibility of net filtering, writes Mark Newton http://newmatilda.com/2009/12/16/conroys-clean-feed-wont-block Constitution opened filter door: Expert Australia's lack of constitutionally guaranteed rights made a much higher level of censorship possible in Australia than in other democracies, constitutional law expert Professor George Williams said today. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Constitution-opened-filter-door-Expert/0,130061791,339300085,00.htm Comment: Internet filter laws need urgent public debate by Associate Professor Bjorn Landfeldt Yesterday's announcement by Senator Stephen Conroy that the Government will push forward with legislation of mandatory internet filtering came as no surprise. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/internet-filter-laws-need-urgent-public-debate-20091216-kwdk.html http://www.watoday.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/internet-filter-laws-need-urgent-public-debate-20091216-kwdk.html http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/internet-filter-laws-need-urgent-public-debate-20091216-kwdk.html http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/internet-filter-laws-need-urgent-public-debate-20091216-kwdk.html http://www.examiner.com.au/news/local/news/economy-business-it-finance/internet-filter-laws-need-urgent-public-debate/1706897.aspx Greens, EFA critical of ISP filtering plans The chorus of voices critiquing the Federal Government?s mandatory ISP-level filtering plans has grown larger with the Greens and Electronic Frontiers Australia joining the likes of the Federal Opposition and Google in opposing the filter. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/330036/ Measures to improve safety of the internet for families The Australian Government today announced further details of its approach to improve safety on the internet for Australian families. The Government?s approach to cyber-safety has been informed by the Government?s trial of internet filtering and extensive industry feedback about the most appropriate way to improve safety online. http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/115 Critics blast 'great firewall of Australia' The Federal Government's decision to press ahead with compulsory internet filtering has come under fire from lobby groups and the Greens. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/15/2772781.htm ISP filter to block worst net nasties The federal government has green-lighted its highly controversial censorship plan to introduce a mandatory internet filter that will block refused classification content from being accessed on Australian soil. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/isp-filtering-plan-to-go-ahead/story-e6frgakx-1225810665832 Government pushes forward with internet filtering [The Australian] THE Federal Government is pushing ahead with its controversial plan to filter the internet, saying illegal material can be blocked "with 100 per cent accuracy and negligible impact on internet speed". http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/government-pushes-forward-with-internet-filtering/story-e6frg2rc-1225810889700 Government pushes forward with internet filtering The Federal Government is pushing ahead with its controversial plan to filter the internet, saying illegal material can be blocked "with 100 per cent accuracy and negligible impact on internet speed". http://www.news.com.au/technology/government-pushes-forward-with-internet-filtering/story-e6frfro0-1225810826659 Internet censorship plan gets the green light The Federal Government has announced it will proceed with controversial plans to censor the internet after Government-commissioned trials found filtering a blacklist of banned sites was accurate and would not slow down the internet. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/internet-censorship-plan-gets-the-green-light-20091215-ktzc.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/internet-censorship-plan-gets-the-green-light-20091215-ktzc.html http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3165707/ Internet filter to protect her children from porn and other horrors gives mother some peace of mind SUE Mistos has used an internet filter to protect her four children from the horrors on the web and would welcome any moves to introduce more widespread filtering. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/internet-filter-to-protect-her-children-from-porn-and-other-horrors-gives-mother-some-peace-of-mind/story-e6frg6nf-1225810746442 us: For students, a right to be mean online? With schools meting out discipline for what they see as cyber-bullying, some courts, parents and free speech advocates are pushing back. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-youtube-schools13-2009dec13,0,6677934.story Students go to court to uphold right to be mean online Some courts, parents and free-speech advocates are pushing back in cyber-bullying cases, saying students have a First Amendment right to be mean in cyberspace, the Los Angeles Times reports. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2009/12/students-go-to-court-to-uphold-their-right-to-be-mean-online/1 A Student's Right to Be Cyber-Mean A ruling by a federal judge in Los Angeles is causing more gray areas for school officials and students alike. U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson ruled in favor of a Beverly Vista School student in a cyberbulling case and found that the school overstepped its boundaries by suspending the student based on a YouTube video she posted about a fellow student. http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/A-Students-Right-to-Be-Cyber-Mean-79172207.html au: Conroy to talk filter today Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has scheduled a "cyber-safety" announcement at 2pm today in Melbourne in which he is expected to release the results of the live pilot of the government's planned mandatory internet service provider (ISP) filtering scheme. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Conroy-to-talk-filter-today/0,130061791,339300056,00.htm Teens blas? about sexting, but only 4% cop to sending pics It's no surprise that teenagers are sending each other sexual content on their phones. A new report shows that the teens who do so don't think it's much of a big deal, and it isn't... until it is. http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2009/12/teens-blase-about-sexting-but-only-4-cop-to-sending-pics.ars Microsoft Tackles the Child Pornography Problem The Internet is a hyper-efficient distribution channel for media of all kinds. So it is hardly surprising, even if disturbing, that the march of the Net has also brought ?an explosion in the spread of child pornography,? as Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, put it. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/microsoft-tackles-the-child-pornography-problem/ Microsoft giving software to curb child porn Children whose sexual abuse has been circulated in photos online could get some relief from new software that makes it easier to remove child pornography from the Internet. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/software/2009-12-16-child-porn_N.htm Study: 15 percent of teens have gotten 'sext' messages A survey by the Pew Research Center shows that up to 17 percent of older teenagers have sent nude or near-nude images of themselves via cell text message. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10415784-93.html Report: Teen 'Sexting' Discouraged By Fees Teenagers with unlimited text messaging plans are more likely to receive sexually explicit images on their cell phones, according to data released today by Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project. This was one of the strongest trends identified in a study that aimed to gauge how frequently minors are "sexting" -- exchanging sexual images of themselves on their mobiles. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/12/report-teen-sexting-discourage.php Sexting Study Finds Few Teens Participate A small fraction of teens have engaged in sexting, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, which spoke to 800 teens around the country. The nonprofit research group found that 15 percent of teens who own cell phones have received these messages, and four percent have actually sent them. Sexting is jargon for the practice of sending nude or sexually suggestive text messages. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/121509-sexting-study-finds-few-teens.html http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/329966/ Sexting study finds few teens participate When it comes to sexting, only a small percentage of teens actually participate in swapping sexually explicit messages. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/329966/ Cybersafety Booklet for Parents and Kids Now Available [news release] A new booklet released today by the Federal Trade Commission and other government agencies helps parents and teachers steer kids safely through the online and mobile phone worlds. http://ftc.gov/opa/2009/12/netcetera.shtm ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** YouTube considering subscription fees YouTube may begin offering subscription services that allow users to watch major new TV shows and films online, according to a senior Google executive. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/dec/16/youtube-fees Susan Boyle's 'I Dreamed A Dream' the most-watched clip on YouTube in 2009 Britain's Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle singing 'I Dreamed A Dream' was the most-watched clip on YouTube this year, figures have shown. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/susan-boyle/6825192/Susan-Boyles-I-Dreamed-A-Dream-the-most-watched-clip-on-YouTube-in-2009.html YouTube's top 2009 videos feature eclectic cast [AP] The year's biggest hits on the Internet's top video channel were anchored by an improbable singing sensation, a groggy boy nursing a sore mouth, a bride and groom dancing down the wedding aisle, supernatural heartthrobs and roller-skating babies. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/youtubes-top-2009-videos-feature-eclectic-cast-20091216-kxpf.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/youtubes-top-2009-videos-feature-eclectic-cast-20091216-kxpf.html What Kiwis watched on YouTube in 2009 [NZPA] Naked bodies, record breaking rappers and Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle were the videos most New Zealanders watched and searched for on YouTube in 2009. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/3168804/ Most watched YouTube videos in Australia Susan Boyle?s new album may be top of the ARIA charts in Australia right now, but it was a little video on YouTube that started it all. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/330193/ http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/330136/ ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Mobile Internet to Dominate Within 5 Years -- Study The mobile Internet is growing faster than its desktop counterpart ever did, and more users may go online via mobile devices than desktop PCs within five years, according to a new study by investment firm Morgan Stanley. http://www.pcworld.com/article/184876/.html With a New Phone, Google May Challenge Apple Two titans of the tech world, Google and Apple, may soon be engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Or, more precisely, handset-to-handset combat. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/technology/companies/14gphone.html 4G mobile phone network comes to Scandinavia Swedish and Norwegian mobile users could be among the first to use a fourth-generation (4G) mobile network. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8412035.stm Guardian newspaper charges for iPhone app The UK's Guardian newspaper has launched a paid-for news app, charging users a one-off fee of ?2.39. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8411872.stm WiGig puts Wi-Fi systems in shade If you're wondering what hot new technology might be coming your way in 2010, here's one tip: very fast home wireless systems that outperform today's speediest Wi-Fi systems. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/opinion/wigig-puts-wi-fi-systems-in-shade/story-e6frgb0o-1225810328636 ********************** SPAM ********************** In 2009 87% of emails are spam Spam accounted for 87 percent of all email messages in 2009, says Symantec. http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=3208747 http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/121509-in-2009-87-of-emails.html http://news.techworld.com/security/3208790/nearly-9-out-of-10-emails-are-spam/ http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/46ACB2F370B8296BCC25768E000FABFA Symantec Announces MessageLabs Intelligence 2009 Annual Security Report [news release] Symantec Corp. today announced the launch of its MessageLabs Intelligence 2009 Security Report. The annual report details how cyber criminals have sharpened their survival skills and operated a volume and variety approach throughout 2009. http://www.messagelabs.co.uk/resources/press/41608 NZ born spammer in court after 100,000 complaints [AAP] A New Zealand born man headed up one of the world's largest online spamming operations that racked up as many as 140,000 reports, a Queensland court was told. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10615930 http://www.odt.co.nz/news/world/86258/nz-born-spammer-court-after-140000-complaints http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/world-news/3168846/ http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/world/3168846/ http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/3168846/ Spam mastermind faces court A Sunshine Coast man accused of being the mastermind of the world's largest online spam operation, which could send 10 billion emails a day, faced court in Brisbane today. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/spam-mastermind-faces-court-20091216-kwe3.html http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/security/spam-mastermind-faces-court-20091216-kwe3.html ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** US Supreme Court to Review Employer Access to Text Messages The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to consider whether government employers can read text messages that their workers send and receive on workplace devices. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126080680568090651.html US Supreme Court Takes Texting Case The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to decide whether a police department violated the constitutional privacy rights of an employee when it inspected personal text messages sent and received on a government pager. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/us/15scotus.html Supreme Court takes up text privacy case The Supreme Court said Monday it would rule for the first time on whether employees had a right to privacy when they sent text messages on electronic devices supplied by their employers. http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-court-privacy15-2009dec15,0,5684529.story Australians urged to update online passwords How good is your online security? Unless your passwords are liberally sprinkled with numbers among the letters, the answer is probably not very. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/15/2771635.htm Cyber Terrorism Is a Real Threat, and for the First Time Both Russia and the US Acknowledge It by Veni Markovski Eugene Kaspersky, CEO and co-founder of Internet security giant Kaspersky Lab said last week, as reported by ITWeb, that "terrorists could build a botnet that could bring down the entire Internet structure". Mr. Kaspersky ended his speech with the statement that "a global cyber police force, and global cooperation between law enforcement agencies and governments is needed". http://www.circleid.com/posts/20091214_cyber_terrorism_real_threat_russia_us_acknowledge/ ************************** PRIVACY ************************** Privacy implications have Google running scared An internet service launched last week by Google to help cameraphone users to identify strangers in the street has been blocked because of alarm over its threat to personal privacy. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/privacy-implications-have-google-running-scared-1839884.html http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10615469 Facebook and Google: Contrasts in Privacy The headlines recently have been dominated with news of online privacy. Facebook has implemented changes that affect the privacy of status updates, and Google made headlines for its apparent disregard for privacy. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/184537/.html http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/121409-facebook-and-google-contrasts-in.html ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** China Tightens Internet Control in the Name of Fighting Porn, Piracy, and Cybercrime by Rebecca MacKinnon As the year draws to a close, China's blocking of overseas websites?including Facebook, Twitter, and thousands of other websites including my blog?is more extensive and technically more sophisticated than ever. Controls over domestic content have also been tightening. People who work for Chinese Internet companies continue to complain that they remain under heavy pressure to be more thorough about the way in which they police and censor blogging platforms, social networking sites, discussion forums, and any form of user-generated content. As feared, the censorship arms race, which began in the run-up to the anniversary of the June 4th crackdown, intensified after the Xinjiang riots, and ramped up further in the run-up to the October 1st 60th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China passed uneventfully. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20091214_china_internet_control_in_the_name_of_porn_piracy_cybercrime/ R18+ computer games classification under consideration by Australian Government Following years of lobbying by gamers and the local games industry, the Federal Government has finally released a discussion paper on the introduction of an R18+ classification for computer games in Australia. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/329738/ http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/329754/ ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** us: Net Neutrality Debate Burns On Two key stakeholders who have taken opposite stands in the net neutrality debate found some area of agreement Tuesday: Wireless providers should be given more leeway in how they manage their broadband networks given the constraints imposed by their use of spectrum to deliver high-speed Internet services. But when it comes to the overall issue of whether the FCC should impose rules that would ensure that broadband providers cannot prioritize content, Public Knowledge President Gigi Sohn and Chris Guttman-McCabe, vice president of the wireless industry group CTIA, parted company. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/12/net-neutrality-debate-burns-on.php Every Windows user to get pop-up menu of internet browsers Every person who owns a computer with Microsoft Windows is to be offered their choice of internet browsers in an automatic pop-up menu following an agreement today between the software company and the European Union. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6958942.ece Europe Drops Microsoft Antitrust Case Over Browsers European regulators dropped their antitrust case against Microsoft on Wednesday after the software maker agreed to offer consumers a choice of rival Web browsers. The settlement averted a second costly legal battle for the American software giant. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/17/business/global/17msft.html Opera eyes likely victory in Microsoft browser war The Norwegian web browser company Opera is on Tuesday expected to mark a major victory in its battle with Microsoft. European Union antitrust regulators are likely to accept Microsoft's amended plan to make it easier for consumers to choose rival browsers, including Opera, for use on the US software company's Windows operating system, which is installed on 90 per cent of the world's personal computers. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6955854.ece Europe Drops Microsoft Antitrust Case Over Browsers European regulators dropped their antitrust case against Microsoft on Wednesday after the software maker agreed to offer consumers a choice of rival Web browsers. The settlement averted a second costly legal battle for the American software giant. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/17/business/global/17msft.html Microsoft ends 10-year fight with Europe on browsers Microsoft has reached agreement with European Union anti-trust regulators to allow European users a choice of web browsers. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8415902.stm au: Govt quiet in NBN debate The federal government has distanced itself from growing controversy over whether its $43 billion fibre-optic national broadband network will deliver Labor's promise of an open, competitive telecommunications market. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/govt-quiet-on-nbn-debate/story-e6frgakx-1225810063481 EU Ratifies 'Internet Treaties' U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk Monday praised the European Union for ratifying two treaties aimed at updating international copyright protections for the Internet age. The World Intellectual Property Organization's Copyright Treaty and the Performance and Phonograms Treaty, known as the "Internet treaties," clarified "exclusive rights and require signatories to provide effective legal remedies against the circumvention of certain technological measures that protect copyrighted works in online environments," according to the USTR. They went into force in 2002. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/12/eu-ratifies-internet-treaties.php British online media face regulation [Press Association] The Press Complaints Commission has extended its remit to cover publications which are available only online. Until now, online versions of newspapers and magazines have come within the remit of the PCC but online-only publications have not. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/online/web-media-face-regulation-1840950.html Will more govts go universal Net access? Some European governments have in recent months stipulated that telecommunication operators in their countries were to make broadband access available to all citizens. At the same time, more countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, have plans to deploy next-generation broadband networks or improve existing infrastructure in the coming years. http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/internet/0,39044908,62060034,00.htm ACTA briefing reveals little, details kept secret The Ministry of Economic Development still refuses to reveal the draft text of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) or fully define the position that New Zealand is taking in the negotiations. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/9B4A33AC48022F9BCC25768D0082657C New penalties for internet pirates Internet users who are caught repeatedly illegally downloading copyright material from the internet could have their accounts suspended for six months or be forced to pay $15,000 in reparations. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/politics/3167726/ http://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-newspapers/west-coast-6013/news-6662/3167690/ http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3167690/ Copyright proposal pushes disconnection decision to Court Minister for Justice Simon Power has released government?s preferred option to replace the controversial Section 92A of the Copyright Act ? and it seems internet users have won more than rights-holders. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/scrt/7EF020F7B19A1A4CCC25768E0017BE93 nz: Govt reveals revamped Section 92A Internet users who are caught repeatedly illegally downloading copyright material from the internet could have their accounts suspended for six months or be forced to pay $15,000 in reparations. http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/technology/3168604/ Three strikes for internet pirates The Government favours a three-notice procedure to deal with illegal copying of material over computer networks which includes termination of internet access as a punishment, Commerce Minister Simon Power said today. http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/86194/three-strikes-internet-pirates Heavy penalties for three-time copyright offenders Fines of up to $15,000 and Internet disconnection for up to six months are the penalties planned for repeat offenders under changes to Section 92A of the Copyright Act, just released by the government. http://www.techday.co.nz/netguide/news/heavy-penalties-for-three-time-copyright-offe/15064/ NZ's anti-piracy plan: warnings, fines, suspension The New Zealand Government has unveiled its plans for dealing with illegal copying of material over the Internet - primarily via peer-to-peer file sharing - saying it favours a three-notice procedure that would culminate in offenders paying a penalty up to $15,000 and losing their Internet access for six months. http://www.itwire.com/content/view/30103/127/ nz: 3 warnings, then fine likely for illegal downloaders The Government has unveiled its plan to deal with illegal copying of material from the internet. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/12/16/1245d9cd4c20 nz: Copyright abusers to get three warnings [NZPA] The Government favours a three-notice procedure to deal with illegal copying of material over computer networks which includes termination of internet access as a punishment, Commerce Minister Simon Power says. http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/copyright-abusers-get-three-warnings-3312721 http://www.guide2.co.nz/politics/news/copyright-abusers-get-three-warnings-before-termination/11/13293 After delay, Kiwis to get kinder, gentler "3 strikes" policy The government scrapped a botched graduated response plan back in March, but it has returned with a much-improved version of the scheme that puts judges in charge of disconnections and removes "guilt by accusation." http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/12/after-delay-kiwis-to-get-kinder-gentler-3-strikes-policy.ars ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* France to Digitize Its Own Literary Works President Nicolas Sarkozy pledged nearly $1.1 billion on Monday toward the computer scanning of French literary works, audiovisual archives and historical documents, an announcement that underscored his government?s desire to maintain control over France?s cultural heritage in an era of digitization. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/world/europe/15france.html Microsoft admits stealing code from startup Microsoft has suspended a new internet messaging service in China, after it emerged that the site was partially based on code stolen from a rival startup. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/dec/15/microsoft-plurk F.T.C. Accuses Intel of Trying to Stifle Competition The Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday sued the chipmaker, Intel, accusing it of using its dominant market position to stifle competition and strengthen its monopoly. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/17/technology/companies/17chip.html FTC Challenges Intel's Dominance of Worldwide Microprocessor Markets [news release] The Federal Trade Commission today sued Intel Corp., the world?s leading computer chip maker, charging that the company has illegally used its dominant market position for a decade to stifle competition and strengthen its monopoly. http://ftc.gov/opa/2009/12/intel.shtm ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** au: NBN failings exposed on public data, costs Labor's $43 billion national broadband network will struggle to deliver on the government's promise to give Australian infrastructure an IQ boost unless it addresses serious challenges for innovators, industry experts have warned. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/nbn-failings-exposed-on-public-data-and-costs/story-e6frgakx-1225810370311 NZ watchdog savages Telecom after XT outage Telecom has got its XT mobile network running again and apologised to up to 90,000 customers affected by an outage today. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10615468 NZ Telecom's fledgling network fails to fly - again Customers on Telecom's XT network in much of the country were left without calling, text messaging or mobile internet after a breakdown yesterday. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10615543 au: OECD report finds justification in NBN cost The Federal Government's $43 billion National Broadband Network (NBN) could be substantiated if it?s used to reduce the cost of services in other key economic sectors, according to an OECD report supporting the development of national fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/329710/ France: 70% to get 100Mbps Internet within 10 years French President Nicolas Sarkozy loves himself some broadband?so long as no one is trading copyrighted files?and he has just announced a government investment initiative designed to bring 100Mbps Internet to most French citizens in the next decade. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/12/france-70-to-get-100mbps-internet-within-10-years.ars ********************************** ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION ********************************** au: SA cop to answer child porn charges [AAP] A South Australian policeman will answer child porn charges next year. http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-national/sa-cop-to-answer-child-porn-charges-20091215-kt5f.html au: Former soldier jailed for internet grooming A former soldier from Sydney has been jailed for using the internet to groom someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl for sex. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/16/2773333.htm +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (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 "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim Flannery __________________________________________________________________________________ See what's on at the movies in your area. Find out now: http://au.movies.yahoo.com/session-times/Received on Wed Dec 16 2009 - 17:19:57 UTC
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