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 *************************************************** Empirical Evidence for the Role of the Domain Name Itself in Website Performance by Karan Girotra & Karl T. Ulrich [INSEAD Working Paper] http://ssrn.com/abstract=1714992 Public Comment Requested on Draft 2011-2014 Strategic Plan http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-27nov10-en.htm Challenges of new domain names under spotlight at gathering of ICC experts http://finchannel.com/Main_News/Business/76234_Challenges_of_new_domain_names_under_spotlight_at_gathering_of_ICC_experts/ The "Proposed Final New gTLD Applicant Guidebook" is open for public comments - why is everybody so silent? http://www.brandtlds.com/2010/11/proposed-final-new-gtld-applicant.html Registration Policies for .AU Domains Open for Public Consultation http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=12919 http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/11/26/public-consultation-opens-au-registration-policies-review/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/review-of-registration-policies-for-.au-domains-open-for-public-consultation.html Your opportunity to help shape the future of .au http://www.auda.org.au/news-archive/auda-26112010/ auDA seeks public comment http://www.itwire.com/it-policy-news/regulation/43532-auda-seeks-public-comment How Should Australian Domain Name Rules Change? http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2010/11/how-should-australian-domain-name-rules-change/ Nominet proposes pulling websites on police suspicions of criminality http://out-law.com/page-11583 U.S. Shuts Down Web Sites in Piracy Crackdown http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/27/technology/27torrent.html au: Government responds to cyber crime http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/102 au: Conroy responds to report on cyber crime http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369354/conroy_responds_report_cyber_crime/ Top Level Domain to Capitalise on ICANN's New gTLD Introduction http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/11/26/top-level-domain-holdings-to-capitalise-on-icanns-new-gtld-introduction/ ********************** REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** Empirical Evidence for the Role of the Domain Name Itself in Website Performance by Karan Girotra & Karl T. Ulrich [INSEAD Working Paper] Abstract: This paper provides the first large-scale empirical evidence of the association between specific properties of internet domain names and website performance. We analyze over one million internet domain names, linking their phonological and morphological attributes to the realized demand for their associated websites. We test hypotheses related to how the names sound, how they look, their ease of recall, and the likelihood that they will be typed correctly. We find that certain attributes of names are associated meaningfully and significantly with the demand realized by a website. The websites with the highest demand have names that are short, include dictionary words, avoid punctuation symbols, and use numerals. The use of phonemes associated with disgust is negatively associated with performance for most websites, but positively associated with performance for adult sites. Some of these results from the on-line world are likely to hold off line, while some are not. These findings can be used in conjunction with other criteria as part of the selection process for names. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1714992 More than Words: The Introduction of Internationalised Domain Names and the Reform of Generic Top-Level Domains at ICANN by Daithi Mac Sithigh [International Journal of Law & Information Technology/University of East Anglia Law School Working Paper] Abstract: ICANN is assessed in this paper as having a special role in the development of the law of new media, recognising both the importance of its management of the global domain name system and how questions of institutional legitimacy have highlighted the lack of agreement on the role of law in the governance of the global Internet. In order to underline how ICANN's work relates to the regulation of the Internet and new media in particular., two particular issues are considered, both of which have been the subject of major announcements in 2009: (1) the facilitation of Internet multilingualism through IDNs and (2) an attempt to expand the gTLD system including prospect of dedicated gTLDs such as .xxx. In the case of internationalisation, it is argued that the question of internationalised domain names is best understood through its relation to historical processes of engagement between law, language and technology. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1715955 ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Public Comment Requested on Draft 2011-2014 Strategic Plan ICANN produces a three-year Strategic Plan (reviewed and updated annually) and an annual Operating Plan. The planning year is made up of several parts: http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-27nov10-en.htm Challenges of new domain names under spotlight at gathering of ICC experts The impact of additional gTLDs to business were highlighted during a gathering of business experts at ICC headquarters earlier this week. Speaking at an ICC Commission on E-Business, IT and Telecoms (EBITT) meeting, guest speaker David Taylor, Partner, Hogan Lovells, pointed out that many companies are unaware of cybersquatting problems due to lack of monitoring. Citing several examples Mr Taylor told participants: ?The situation is complex today and is likely to get worse tomorrow.? http://finchannel.com/Main_News/Business/76234_Challenges_of_new_domain_names_under_spotlight_at_gathering_of_ICC_experts/ The "Proposed Final New gTLD Applicant Guidebook" is open for public comments - why is everybody so silent? On November 12th, ICANN published the "Proposed Final New gTLD Applicant Guidebook" (which you may call DAG5), which is open for public comment until the Dec 10 board meeting at the ICANN Cartegena Meeting. http://www.brandtlds.com/2010/11/proposed-final-new-gtld-applicant.html Election race heats up for Internet users? ICANN Board seat The first round of voting has taken place for what is an important and historic election: a voting seat on the board of ICANN for a representative of ordinary Internet users. http://kierenmccarthy.com/2010/11/26/election-race-heats-up-for-internet-users?-icann-board-seat/ The End is Nearly in Sight for New gTLDs by Johnny Du A little over two weeks from now the ICANN meeting in Cartagena de Indias will be over and, if ICANN has the courage of its convictions, the new gTLD program should be on the home stretch, heading towards its official May 30 launch. The ground rules will be clear, the process predictable, and applicants will be able to begin to implement their strategies with confidence. As Elvis Presley once sang, it will be a time for "a little less conversation, a little more action, please". http://www.circleid.com/posts/20101126_the_end_is_nearly_in_sight_for_new_gtlds/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** Registration Policies for .AU Domains Open for Public Consultation Registration policies for .AU domain names are currently being reviewed by the 2010 Names Policy Panel as part of the regular consultation process that takes place with the Australian community. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=12919 http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/11/26/public-consultation-opens-au-registration-policies-review/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/review-of-registration-policies-for-.au-domains-open-for-public-consultation.html Your opportunity to help shape the future of .au The .au Domain Administration (auDA) is currently seeking public comment on a range of policies relating to the management and operation of the Internet in Australia. http://www.auda.org.au/news-archive/auda-26112010/ auDA seeks public comment If you want to have your say about some of the policies governing the .au namespace, auDA is especially open to your comments until January. http://www.itwire.com/it-policy-news/regulation/43532-auda-seeks-public-comment How Should Australian Domain Name Rules Change? .au domains might cost more than their .com equivalents, but they clearly signal an Australian presence. auDA, which sets Australian domain name rules, is weighing up a number of changes, including possible changes to registration policies and the introduction of single-letter domain names, and it wants your thoughts. http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2010/11/how-should-australian-domain-name-rules-change/ PC Solidarity helps another 15,000 people with the Internet The colaboration between Close the Gap and DNS.be is bearing yet more fruit. PC Solidarity continues to work towards closing the digital divide and last week it provided 70 Belgian organisations with access to the Internet. Since the programme was founded in 2008, the meter has ticked over to a total of 4,500 PCs provided to 350 organisations. http://www.dns.be/en/home.php?n=455 Improved Security for .CH Domains Swiss websites will are more secure following moves by the registry, SWITCH, to introduce new and improved security measures from 25 November to help prevent the spread of malicious software on websites using .CH domain names. http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/11/25/improved-security-for-ch-domains/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/improved-security-for-.ch-domain-names.html NIC Chile installs a new name server for .CL in Peru NIC Chile informs that a new dedicated server providing DNS service for .CL domain names is now in operation. Located in Lima, it belongs to an anycast cloud, under direct control of NIC Chile. The server is hosted by "Red Cient?fica Peruana", the .PE operator. http://nic.cl/anuncios/2010-11-23-eng.html de: 4th DNSSEC Testbed Meeting on 24 November 2010 ? DNSSEC in the Practice The central topics of the meeting on 24 November 2010 in Frankfurt am Main will be the current status of the DNSSEC testbed and available tools and services all around DNSSEC. http://www.denic.de/en/denic-in-dialogue/news/3036.html .eu Q3 2010 report marks growth milestones [news release] EURid, the registry for the .eu TLD, issued today its quarterly progress report for Q3 2010, presenting important .eu registration milestones during the quarter. http://www.eurid.eu/en/content/eu-q3-2010-progress-report-available-0 Win with your .eu domain name this Christmas - .eu Christmas competition starts on 25 November [news release] Register a .eu domain name between 25 November and 25 December 2010 and stand the chance to win one of 100 iPod Touches. http://www.eurid.eu/en/content/win-your-eu-domain-name-christmas AFNIC publishes 2010 French Domain Name Industry Report [news release] For the fourth year running, AFNIC has published its French Domain Name Industry Report. Produced in partnership with T?l?com Sud Paris, this new, complete and extremely detailed edition, highlights items such as the comfortable growth this year of some 21% in the .fr TLD, the development in the secondary market for domain names, or the signature of the .fr zone with DNSSEC last September. http://www.afnic.fr/actu/nouvelles/267/afnic-publishes-2010-french-domain-name-industry-report .fr domain name registrations up 21 percent on last year There was a 21 percent increase in the number of .fr domain name registrations in the year to September, according to TLD name registry Afnic. http://www.telecompaper.com/news/fr-domain-name-registrations-up-21-percent-on-last-year The AFNIC Board of Directors discusses the Association's strategic guidelines for 2015 and approves the Action Plan for 2011 Having noted the progress report of AFNIC over the last six months, the Board discussed various strategic options for the Association on the 2015 time-scale and identified the main issues involved. Approval of this strategy is planned for early 2011. http://www.afnic.fr/actu/nouvelles/266/the-afnic-board-of-directors-discusses-the-association-s-strategic-guidelines-for-2015-and-approves-the-action-plan-for-2011 First Domain Name Industry Report Published by IEDR The IE Domain Registry (IEDR), the managed registry for Ireland?s official internet address .ie, today published its inaugural Domain Name Industry report, marking the Registry?s 10th anniversary. The report provides the first account of its kind in Ireland of the .ie namespace and the Irish domain market. It is set in the context of the global domain name market and Ireland?s Internet ecosystem, and will be published annually as a resource for Internet industry leaders and policy makers. http://www.iedr.ie/index.php/component/content/article/50-general/242-friday-26th-november-2010-first-domain-name-industry-report-published IEDR creates ?100k fund to boost SME e-commerce While 66pc of Irish businesses have a web presence, a shockingly low 21pc of these have e-commerce functionality. This is up just 3pc since 2000. To counter this and inspire activity, the .ie Domain Registry has created a ?100,000 fund. http://www.siliconrepublic.com/business/item/19248-iedr-fund-to-boost-sme pl: Q3 on the domain market The statistical data presented in the NASK Report on .pl domain name registrations in Q3 this year may be summed up with a single statement: it was a period of sustained, stable growth. http://www.nask.pl/newsID/id/692 Open War for the ?? Domain. FAS was really FAST! The National Cyrillic Domain has managed to become a real scandal generator as early as at the stage of Sunrise Registration. It started from registration of a pair of dozens of .?? domains by a quickwitted CETIS company, which has allotted "????.??" for "ladies? handbags" under absolutely lawful grounds. http://www.nic.ru/news/en/2010/war.html Recent Developments in the .?? Domains Public Registration Public registration of .?? domains started on November 11, 2010. On that day, RU-CENTER registered domains according to the preorders submitted by the company's clients in the period from September 21 to November 10, 2010. In total, RU-CENTER received about 135 thousand of preorders for public registration of .?? domains. http://www.nic.ru/news/en/2010/rf_issue.html rf: Will a Russian domain sell for more than Sex.com? The scandal-hit Russian domain name market may yet produce some of the most expensive domain name sales of all time. Premium .?? generics are already attracting eight-figure bids. http://domainincite.com/will-a-russian-domain-sell-for-more-than-sex-com/ Russian Cyrillic IDN Launch An Unprecedented Success The launch of the Russian Cyrillic internationalised domain name .?? (.RF - Russian Federation or ?????????? ????????? in Cyrillic) shows what a success they are since ICANN began its Fast Track approval process. http://www.ebrandservices.com/russian-cyrillic-idn-launch-an.html RNIDS initiated public discussion on Rule book for registering Cyrillic domain ".???? The Serbian National Register of Internet Domain Names (RNIDS) has initiated on its forum (forum.rnids.rs) a public discussion on the Proposal of rules and processes for registering the Cyrillic domain ?.????. http://rnids.rs/en/node/67?lang=en uk: Police seek powers to shut websites The police are seeking powers to shut down websites deemed to be engaged in "criminal" activity. The Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) has tabled a plan for Nominet, which oversees .uk web addresses, to be given the domain closing power. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11845961 Nominet proposes pulling websites on police suspicions of criminality The body responsible for running the .uk domain is considering changing its terms and conditions to give police more power to demand that domain names be cut off from the internet. http://out-law.com/page-11583 uk: Dealing with domain names used in connection with criminal activity Nominet does not currently have any clear obligation in its registrant Terms and Conditions that a domain name should not be used in connection with any activity that would constitute an offence under UK Criminal law. The group will discuss whether proposals should be put forward to change Nominet?s Terms and Conditions to give a contractual basis to suspend domains where Nominet has reasonable grounds to believe they are being used to commit a crime (e.g. a request from an identified UK Law Enforcement Agency) http://www.nominet.org.uk/policy/issuegroups/current/domainsassociatedwithcrime/ Nominet considering letting police close down websites UK domain name registry Nominet is considering allowing the Police to close down websites that are being used for criminal activity. http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=3250594 http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/112610-nominet-considering-letting-police-close.html UK registry to clarify domain name suspension rules The U.K.'s domain name registry is examining its policies around suspending domain names, a move occasionally undertaken in order to prevent criminal activity on the Internet. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/112610-uk-registry-to-clarify-domain.html http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/369411/uk_registry_clarify_domain_name_suspension_rules/ Nominet could get formal powers to close criminal sites The .uk registry Nominet could soon be given powers to shut down sites suspected of criminal activity, after changes to its terms and conditions were proposed by the Serious Organised Crime Agency. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2273499/soca-nominet-domain-name ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** U.S. Shuts Down Web Sites in Piracy Crackdown In what appears to be the latest phase of a far-reaching federal crackdown on online piracy of music and movies, the Web addresses of a number of sites that facilitate illegal file-sharing were seized this week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a division of the Department of Homeland Security. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/27/technology/27torrent.html U.S. Agency Seizes Sites Suspected of Piracy, Counterfeiting Federal authorities have shut down more than 70 websites in one the broadest actions yet against companies the government suspects of selling counterfeit or pirated products. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704693104575639692746020382.html U.S. seizes sites linked to copyright infringement The U.S. government has launched a major crackdown on online copyright infringement, seizing dozens of sites linked to illegal file sharing and counterfeit goods. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20023918-93.html U.S. Government Seizes BitTorrent Search Engine Domain and More Following on the heels of this week?s domain seizure of a large hiphop file-sharing links forum, it?s clear today that the U.S. Government has been very busy. Without any need for COICA, ICE has just seized the domain of a BitTorrent meta-search engine along with those belonging to other music linking sites and several others which appear to be connected to physical counterfeit goods. http://torrentfreak.com/u-s-government-seizes-bittorrent-search-engine-domain-and-more-101126/comment-page-5/ Register.com settles Baidu domain hijacking lawsuit Register.com has apologised to Chinese portal company Baidu for allowing its domain, baidu.com, to be hijacked by the Iranian Cyber Army hacker group. http://domainincite.com/register-com-settles-baidu-domain-hijacking-lawsuit/ au: Government responds to cyber crime Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today tabled the Australian Government?s response to the report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Hackers, Fraudsters and Botnets: Tackling the Problem of Cyber Crime. http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/102 au: Conroy responds to report on cyber crime Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, have backed a standing committee report on cyber crime. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369354/conroy_responds_report_cyber_crime/ http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/369354/conroy_responds_report_cyber_crime/ ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** So, when is the U.S. Government going to seize the Google domain? One of the most worrisome things is happening on the web right now and with increasing frequency. Domains are being seized by the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security under the auspices of ICE. Not only are they being seized but it is happening without any notification but also apparently with the assistance of ICANN. http://www.inquisitr.com/91492/so-when-is-the-u-s-government-going-to-seize-the-google-domain/ Court Date set for Kentucky Internet Gambling Case The case in Kentucky that made national news back in September 2008 where it was announced that 141 domain names for gambling sites were being seized without due process by this Commonwealth state is back in the news. http://www.casinoscamreport.com/2010/11/26/court-date-set-for-kentucky-internet-gambling-case/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Congress Passes Web Censorship Bill, Two Hip-Hop Sites Shut Down Congress finally hammered out a bill on last Thursday (November 18), called the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA), which would empower the government to take action against websites offering unauthorized copyrighted or counterfeit content. http://www.ballerstatus.com/2010/11/26/congress-passes-web-censorship-bill-two-hip-hop-sites-shut-down/ Top Level Domain Holdings Proposed Placing The Board of Top Level Domain Holdings (?TLDH? or the ?Company?) is excited about the prospects for the Company now that ICANN has approved the timeline for the introduction of new gTLDs. ... The Company intends to raise approximately ?3 million by way of a market placing of new ordinary shares of no par value (?Ordinary Shares?) with existing and new shareholders at an indicative placing price of 6.5p per new Ordinary Share (the ?Placing Shares?). http://www.tldh.org/2010/11/proposed-placing/ Top Level Domain to Capitalise on ICANN's New gTLD Introduction Top Level Domain Holdings plans to raise about ?3m via a placing at 6.5p a share to take advantage of the introduction of new gTLDs, the board of the company has announced. http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/11/26/top-level-domain-holdings-to-capitalise-on-icanns-new-gtld-introduction/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/top-level-domain-holdings-to-capitalise-on-icann-s-introduction-of-new-gtld.html Minds + Machines to raise $4.7m for new TLDs Top Level Domain Holdings plans to raise ?3 million ($4.7 million) in a stock sale to help finance the TLD aspirations of its main business, Minds + Machines. http://domainincite.com/minds-machines-to-raise-4-7m-for-new-tlds/ NRO Response to the questionnaire on improvements to the IGF What do you consider the most important achievements of the first five IGF meetings? The first five years of the IGF were successful in establishing an agenda for discussion of the most relevant issues in Internet Governance within a comprehensive multistakeholder environment. The period produced significant progress in identifying the pieces of the Internet governance puzzle: what the issues and categories are, and what the most pressing dilemmas of Internet Governance are and will be. Of particular importance, IGF revealed the cross-cutting themes in Internet governance and comprehensively mapped the ecosystem of relevant actors and stakeholders. The IGF?s multistakeholder environment, in particular, has enabled those who may not have been aware of cross-cutting issues relevant to them, to begin to actively engage in these issues and find solutions as needed. http://nro.net/documents/pdf/QuestionnaireNRO2011-11-18.pdf Why I Am Not Worried About Domain Name Seizures There have been a surprising number of mainstream articles regarding the United States? Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a division of the Department of Homeland Security. Apparently, ICE seized the domain names of alleged file sharing websites without any type of notice to them. In fact, I can?t remember the last time I received so many ?did you see this? emails/phone calls from friends who aren?t in the business. http://www.elliotsblog.com/why-i-am-not-worried-about-domain-name-seizures-1006 ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Sedo Completes Biggest Domain Sale Ever Reported as Sex.com Closes at $13 Million This will go down as a landmark week in domain history. Sex.com has officially changed hands for $13 million in the largest cash domain sale ever reported. After a three-month search Sedo.com broker Jeff Gabriel found a buyer - Clover Holdings - for the domain on behalf of Escom who had to let it go in accordance with an order issued by the United States Bankuptcy Court for the Central District of California. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2010/20101124.htm Gambling.com Domain Name For Sale Media Corp, an online advertising and domain name firm, announced that they would be putting the sought-after ?Gambling.com? domain name up for auction. Sedo GmbH, a German online domain name brokerage company, will facilitate the auction. Observers expect the winning bid for the popular web site name to exceed US$10 million. http://www.gamblingcity.net/gambling-news/2010-11/gambling-com-domain-name-for-sale-2611101030.php Domain Names Continue As Good Investment, Latest Sedo Study Finds Domain names continue to be a good investment with median and average sales continue to increase according to Sedo?s Q3 2010 Domain Market Study. In the quarter there were 10,085 sales, a 1.58 per cent increase from the same period a year earlier (10,070 sales), worth $24.5 million, averaging $2,033 per domain. http://www.ebrandservices.com/domain-names-continue-as-good.html Ben Mezrich, Author of "The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook" Speaks at DOMAINfest Global 2011 [news release] DomainSponsor?, the domain monetization division of Oversee.net?, announced today that Ben Mezrich will be interviewed by Jeff Kupietzky, CEO and President of Oversee.net at the fifth annual DOMAINfest Global? (DFG) event, scheduled for February 1-3, 2011 in Santa Monica, Calif. Mezrich has created his own highly addictive genre of nonfiction, chronicling the amazing stories of young geniuses who become wealthy against tremendous odds while skirting the edges of morality. http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/11/26/ben-mezrich-author-of-the-accidental-billionaires-the-founding-of-facebook/ ********************** REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** OECD: Outlook for ICT industry improving: 3-4% growth in 2010 The OECD Information Technology Outlook 2010 shows that the ICT sector has fared better than many other sectors during this economic crisis. It shows a clear shift in most OECD countries away from ICT manufacturing toward ICT services, which now comprise 80% of ICT-sector value added. This new edition looks at global trends in ICT goods production and services provision, trade, employment and skills, digital content and green growth applications. A chapter on government policies concludes the analysis. http://www.oecd.org/document/42/0,3343,en_2649_37441_46480170_1_1_1_37441,00.html The Local Frontiers of the Global Internet by William H. Dutton [Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford] Abstract: The global reach of digital technologies (ICTs) centred around the Internet is enabling individuals to network with information and people anywhere in the world. The worldwide span of this network of networks generates the risk of undermining local ?real? community relationships. However, this paper summarizes evidence showing that emerging information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as online social networking, are also being widely used to enable new forms of interaction that can build stronger social relationships, locally and globally. The main practical and policy challenges to fostering an appropriate balance between local and global outcomes of such new media are highlighted. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1715565 ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** The internet's cyber radicals: heroes of the web changing the world A generation of political activists have been transformed by new tools developed on the internet. Here, a leading net commentator profiles seven young radicals from around the world http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/nov/28/internet-radicals-world-wide-web au: CSIRO experiments with 'no email' day to explore new forms of collaboration and communication The CSIRO is undertaking an experiment few commercial organisations would dare to consider ? switching off email for an entire day. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369325/csiro_experiments_no_email_day/ Video, newspapers aim to avoid music fate Media executives, under siege from Web-based distribution that promises television shows, news and movies for little to nothing, are striving to protect lucrative business models while avoiding the bleak fate of the music and newspaper industries. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-53182120101126 'Crush fetishists' cause online outrage in China [AFP] A group of "crush fetishists" has caused an online storm in China after uploading graphic videos showing attractive young Chinese women crushing small rabbits. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/crush-fetishists-cause-online-outrage-in-china-20101126-189e0.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/bunnycrushing-videos-stir-chinese-online-anger-20101125-188zk.html Gartner Says Cloud Computing Heralds An Evolution of Business, No Less Influential than the Era of E-Business [news release] After many years of germination, the core ideas at the heart of cloud computing ? pay for use, mulitenancy, external services ? appear to be resonating more strongly for more people, according to Gartner, Inc. http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=1476715 ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ us: Girls Play Down Intelligence and Kindness Online Teenage girls present a different image to the world online than they do in person, a new survey shows. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40313099 us: Justin Bieber Speaks Out Against Bullying Child sensation Justin Bieber knows how it feels when you are bullied. And that is probably why he has taken a stand against the practice which is a quite a common sight in today?s America. http://www.topnews.in/justin-bieber-speaks-out-against-bullying-2293390 What Your Child's Facebook Addiction Says About Your Parenting Style Drugs, unprotected sex, drinking, bullying, smoking -- the list of parental worries often seems endless. And just when you think you have all the potential problem areas covered, your child or teen suddenly seems "addicted" to Facebook and other online social media sites. Is that even possible? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-haisha/children-facebook-addiction_b_788251.html ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Pirate Bay co-founders lose appeal The Pirate Bay's co-founders today lost their appeal against convictions for encouraging illegal filesharing, and have had their collective fine increased by $2m (?1.3m) to $6.5m (?4.1m). http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/nov/26/pirate-bay-founders-appeal Pirate Bay founders lose appeal Three founders of The Pirate Bay have lost an appeal against a conviction for illegally sharing copyrighted content. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11847200 Court Revises Pirate Bay Ruling In the ongoing copyright battle between entertainment companies and file-sharing "pirates," a Swedish appeals court Friday upheld the conviction of the men behind The Pirate Bay while revising their sentences. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704008704575638730594318358.html Swedish judge confirms Pirate Bay convictions on appeal [IDG] Three men found guilty of being accessories to crimes against copyright law for their part in running The Pirate Bay have lost their appeal, while a fourth man still awaits trial. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9198098/Swedish_judge_confirms_Pirate_Bay_convictions_on_appeal http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/112610-pirate-bay-guilty-verdict.html http://www.pcworld.com/article/211743/.html Pirate Bay activists lose court appeal in Sweden A Swedish appeals court on Friday upheld a ruling against three men behind file sharing website Pirate Bay, cutting their prison sentences and raising the fine. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6AP2DH20101126 http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-53173520101126 Pirate Bay co-founders lose appeal The co-founders of file sharing website Pirate Bay lost an appeal against convictions for encouraging illegal filesharing, and have had their collective fine increased by ?1.3m to ?4.1m. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/8164342/Pirate-Bay-co-founders-lose-appeal.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Is your smartphone making you sick? Keep your flash new mobile phone in your pocket and you risk "serious harm", according to the maker of the BlackBerry, while Apple admits its iPhone can exceed exposure guidelines. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/is-the-smartphone-making-you-sick/story-e6freuy9-1225961702906 http://www.news.com.au/technology/is-your-smartphone-making-you-sick/story-e6frfro0-1225961746900 http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/is-your-smartphone-making-you-sick/story-e6frea8c-1225961746900 http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/technology/is-your-smartphone-making-you-sick/story-e6frep1o-1225961851458 http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad-application/is-the-smartphone-making-you-sick/story-fn6bfmgc-1225961791816 http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/national/is-your-smartphone-making-you-sick/story-e6frg15u-1225961746900 Switzerland aims to sell mobile frequencies in 2011 Switzerland could net several hundred million Swiss francs from an auction of new frequencies for mobile phones in the first half of 2011, Communications Commission Secretary Peter Baer said on Friday. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6AP2VS20101126 FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges That Public Relations Firm Used Misleading Online Endorsements to Market Gaming Apps [news release] Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Reverb Communications, Inc., and its owner, Tracie Snitker, engaged in deceptive advertising. Reverb and Snitker had employees pose as ordinary consumers posting game reviews at the online iTunes store, and did not disclose that the reviews came from paid employees working on behalf of the developers, according to the FTC complaint. http://ftc.gov/opa/2010/11/reverb.shtm ********************** DIGITAL DIVIDE ********************** UN official stresses role of information technology for development at Lima forum [news release] Information and communications technology (ICT) has a vital role to play in advancing economic development, a senior United Nations official told the opening of a regional conference in Lima, Peru, today. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=36837 Asia-Pacific States agree to set up regional broadband connectivity framework ? UN [news release] In an effort to harness the rapid developments in mobile telecommunications services to enhance broadband access, countries in Asia and the Pacific agreed today at a United Nations-backed meeting to set up a framework for regional connectivity. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=36883 ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** uk: Clippings service users must pay to access web links, says High Court Customers of news monitoring services must have a licence from newspapers to receive emailed material from clippings services, the High Court has said. Using clippings services without a licence is copyright infringement, the Court has ruled. http://out-law.com/page-11601 How taste for high life led public schoolboy to set up multi-million pound internet crime site It was the biggest criminal website British police had ever uncovered, with a membership comprising cyber villains from across the globe. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8164734/How-taste-for-high-life-led-public-schoolboy-to-set-up-multi-million-pound-internet-crime-site.html A Bully Finds a Pulpit on the Web ... The story of DecorMyEyes suggests that 15 years after the birth of online commerce, the Internet is still strewn with trap doors, and that when consumers take a tumble, they are pretty much on their own. Mr. Borker is skilled at tunneling under the few obstacles in his way, but he has hardly been hiding. With a few tweaks and added vigilance from an array of companies and public institutions that are supposed to monitor e-commerce thuggery, Mr. Borker?s approach to retail might be impossible to sustain. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/business/28borker.html EFF Tool Offers New Protection Against 'Firesheep' The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has launched a new version of HTTPS Everywhere, a security tool that offers enhanced protection for Firefox browser users against "Firesheep" and other exploits of webpage security flaws. http://www.eff.org/press/archives/2010/11/23 Wikileaks 'hacked ahead of secret US document release' Whistle-blowing website Wikileaks says it has come under attack from a computer-hacking operation, ahead of a release of secret US documents. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11858637 au: Government responds to cyber crime Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today tabled the Australian Government?s response to the report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Hackers, Fraudsters and Botnets: Tackling the Problem of Cyber Crime. http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/102 au: Conroy responds to report on cyber crime Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, have backed a standing committee report on cyber crime. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369354/conroy_responds_report_cyber_crime/ http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/369354/conroy_responds_report_cyber_crime/ http://www.techworld.com.au/article/369354/conroy_responds_report_cyber_crime/ au: Govt stays ISP zombie laws A peak Australian technology body has welcomed the Federal Government's decision to not force internet service providers (ISPs) to disconnect the infected computers of its customers as part of its response to a Senate committee report into online security threats. http://www.zdnet.com.au/govt-stays-isp-zombie-laws-339307564.htm au: ISPs sign up en mass for botnet industry code: IIA Internet service providers (ISPs) representing some 80 per cent of the Australian market have signed on to the Internet Industry Alliance?s (IIA) iCode, set to officially launch this week, according to the industry body?s chief executive, Peter Coroneos. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/369483/isps_sign_up_en_mass_botnet_industry_code_iia/ au: icode to commence 1 December 2010 [news release] The Internet Industry Association in conjunction with the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy and the Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, launched a new voluntary code of practice on 6 June 2010 for Australian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to improve cybersecurity for all consumers. http://iia.net.au/index.php/all-members/869-get-ready-for-icode-in-force-1-december-2010.html uk: Talk Talk to introduce controversial virus alert system Talk Talk is launching trials of a controversial anti-malware system following intervention by the Information Commissioner (ICO). http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11840066 pk: For Women, Cyber Crimes Are All Too Real [IPS] The Grade 10 student was first drugged, and then four men raped her. The group then apparently tried to extort money from her family. When the family filed a complaint with the police instead, the extortionists in October then posted a cellphone video of her whole ordeal on the Internet. http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=53669 ae: TRA Organizes Workshop for Female Students and Mothers [news release] In correlation with the strategy of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) that aims at achieving a secure cyber environment, the UAE Computer Emergency Response Team ? a TRA initiative ? is set to organize two workshops for female students and mothers at the Al Ebdaa School of Dubai. The first workshop took place on October 26, 2010 for students and the other workshop on November 23, 2010 for mothers. http://tra.gov.ae/news_TRA_Organizes_Workshop_for_Female_Students_and_Mothers-224-1.php ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Egypt's court overturns telecom news monitoring A Cairo court on Saturday overturned the Egyptian telecoms regulator's decision to monitor news feeds on mobile phones ahead of elections, Egypt's official news agency MENA said on Saturday. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6AQ13B20101127 http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-53187020101127 ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** de: Merkel's Government Squabbles over Data Retention Terror warnings in Germany have triggered a new debate on the country's data protection laws -- and revealed yet another fracture in Chancellor Merkel's government. The Justice Ministry and the Interior Ministry are at odds, and the fronts are hardening. http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,731356,00.html France plans to introduce new 'Google tax' The French Senate has approved a new tax on online advertising services offered by Internet giants such as Google. But critics say the plan misses the point and burdens domestic companies instead. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6263475,00.html EFF Calls on European Commission to Protect Internet Users? Rights by Requiring Court Order Before ISP Takedowns To provide greater protection for Internet users? freedom of expression and privacy rights, EFF recommended that the European Commission (EC) should preserve limitations on liability for Internet intermediaries and clarify that Internet intermediaries should not be considered to have ?actual knowledge? requiring them to takedown content unless they have received a court order or notification in comments filed recently as part of the EC's long-awaited public consultation on the workability of the 2000 EU eCommerce Directive. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/11/eff-calls-european-commission-protect-internet ACTA comes one step closer to existence A vote in the European Parliament yesterday (24 November) signalled that a controversial international trade agreement to tackle counterfeiting, known as ACTA, has moved one step closer to ratification, raising concerns among Internet service providers (ISPs). http://euractiv.com/en/infosociety/acta-comes-one-step-closer-existence-news-499991 us: Reopening of Comment Period: Department of Commerce?s Internet Policy Task Force The Department of Commerce?s Internet Policy Task Force announces that the closing deadline for submission of comments responsive to the October 5, 2010 Notice of Inquiry on copyright policy and innovation in the Internet economy has been reopened and will extend until December 10, 2010. http://www.ntia.doc.gov/InternetPolicyTaskForce/copyright/copyrightnoi_10052010.pdf au: Govt stays ISP zombie laws A peak Australian technology body has welcomed the Federal Government's decision to not force internet service providers (ISPs) to disconnect the infected computers of its customers as part of its response to a Senate committee report into online security threats. http://www.zdnet.com.au/govt-stays-isp-zombie-laws-339307564.htm ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Who's Afraid of Apple, Google, Facebook? Timothy Wu says we should be alarmed by the monopoly powers accumulated by Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon, Skype, Twitter, Apple, and eBay. Why he's wrong http://gigaom.com/2010/11/25/tim-wu-google-facebook/ http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2010/tc20101126_023905.htm nz: Fry Up: Twitter fest ... Then again, we aren?t members. It?s not a Groucho thing - it?s just we don?t join a lot of clubs. Even when the fee is as cheap as chips like at InternetNZ. According to board member Lance Wiggs, who commented on the Computerworld story about the NZCS court case, it only costs $21 to join InternetNZ. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/fryup/fry-up-twitter-fest ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Broadband in Europe speeding up Broadband speeds in Europe have risen sharply in only a year, suggest official EC figures. In July 2010, 29% of broadband lines in Europe ran at speeds of at least 10 Mbps, revealed Commission research. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11840736 EU Broadband Take-up Pulls Ahead of US, but Speeds Still Low [IDG] European countries are outstripping the U.S. in terms of broadband take-up, but their broadband connections don't match the speeds of those in Asian countries. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/211712/.html Digital Agenda: broadband speeds increasing but Europe must do more [news release] Broadband connections in Europe are much faster than one year ago according to statistics published today by the European Commission. In July 2010 29% of EU broadband lines had speeds of at least 10 megabits per second (Mbps) (up from 15% one year earlier).Broadband take up continues to grow in the EU with 25.6 subscriptions for every 100 citizens (23.9 one year earlier). Annual growth in mobile broadband is remarkable at 45%, with 6 mobile broadband dedicated access devices (usb-keys or dongles) per 100 citizens. But there is still a long way to go before EU reaches its targets of giving every European access to basic broadband by 2013 and fast and ultra fast broadband by 2020 as outlined in the Digital Agenda for Europe (see IP/10/581, MEMO/10/199 and MEMO/10/200). Measures to facilitate the roll out and take up of fast and ultra-fast broadband in the EU were presented by the Commission in September 2010 (see IP/10/1142). http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/1602 Hylas-1 net-dedicated satellite launches The first satellite dedicated to delivering broadband services to Europe has launched on an Ariane 5 rocket. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11846237 Hooking Up Unserved Pockets of Europe to High-Speed Internet Although France is one of the best-wired countries anywhere, residents of Ablis, a small town southwest of Paris, cannot get a decent broadband connection. The speediest link available is not even fast enough to watch YouTube videos. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/29/technology/29iht-satellite29.html au: Crucial Telstra bill paving way for NBN is passed by the Senate Legislation to split Telstra has passed the Senate after days of intense negotiation and heated debate on a bill that paves the way for the National Broadband Network. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/crucial-telstra-bill-paving-way-for-nbn-is-passed-by-the-senate/story-fn59niix-1225961475899 ********************************** ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION ********************************** uk: Police smash Cornwall paedophile ring as six men jailed for abuse Six men have been jailed for sexually abusing girls in Cornwall, including at least one as young as five, it can be revealed today. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/nov/26/cornwall-paedophile-ring-men-jailed uk: Paedophile ring abused two young girls for years Police have smashed a paedophile ring that repeatedly subjected two young girls to sickening sexual abuse for nearly three years, it can now be reported. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8162980/Paedophile-ring-abused-two-young-girls-for-years.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2010 --------- 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 FlanneryReceived on Sun Nov 28 2010 - 20:09:29 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.0 : Sat Sep 09 2017 - 22:00:10 UTC