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 *************************************************** us: Wyden Calls for Ethics Rules to Prevent Revolving Door for Internet Domain Name Regulators [news release] http://wyden.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=2e414e69-1250-4ca3-ae6b-2b6091ed52cc INTA Executive Director Alan Drewsen Talks Trademark Protection and Cybersquatting. http://tcattorney.typepad.com/ip/2008/07/inta-executive.html Hacking away at the Internet's Security by Geoff Huston http://www.potaroo.net/ispcol/2011-10/hacking.html Hundreds of Go Daddy sites compromised http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20107541-245/hundreds-of-go-daddy-hosted-sites-compromised/ UK business executives should be more aware of cyber threats, report says http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/uk-business-executives-should-be-more-aware-of-cyber-threats-report-says/ Why your brand should invest in a category-defining domain name http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/30012.asp ********************** REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** Orwell's Armchair by Derek E. Bambauer [Brooklyn Law School, Research Paper] Abstract: America has begun to censor the Internet. Defying conventional scholarly wisdom that Supreme Court precedent bars Internet censorship, federal and state governments are increasingly using indirect methods to engage in ?soft? blocking of on-line material. This Article assesses these methods and makes a controversial claim: hard censorship, such as the PROTECT IP Act, is normatively preferable to indirect restrictions. It introduces a taxonomy of five censorship strategies: direct control, deputizing intermediaries, payment, pretext, and persuasion. It next makes three core claims. First, only one strategy ? deputizing intermediaries ? is limited significantly by current law. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1926415 ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** ICANN Leader Praises Brazil?s Multi-Stakeholder Model of Internet Coordination: Chief Executive Officer Draws Parallels to the ICANN Model Rod Beckstrom, ICANN?s President and Chief Executive Officer today praised Brazil as one of the few countries that has adopted a multi-stakeholder approach to Internet governance issues. http://www.icann.org/en/news/releases/release-12sep11-en.pdf gTLD WHOIS Privacy and Proxy Relay and Reveal Survey Now Live As part of a broader examination of gTLD WHOIS, ICANN?s GNSO Council is seeking to gain further insight into the origination and handling of ?relay? and ?reveal? requests. A relay request is a request to forward a message to the registrant of a domain registered using a privacy service. A reveal request is a request to reveal the identity of the licensee of a domain registered using a proxy service. http://blog.icann.org/2011/09/gtld-whois-privacy-and-proxy-relay-and-reveal-survey-now-live/ Wyden Calls for Ethics Rules to Prevent Revolving Door for Internet Domain Name Regulators [news release] As the online community prepares for a massive expansion in potential domain names and the expiration of the contract with the non-profit, non-governmental organization responsible for domain name regulation, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore) raised concerns about the potential for bias and unfair favoritism stemming from a revolving door between internet regulators and the multi-million dollar domain name industry they formerly regulated. http://wyden.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=2e414e69-1250-4ca3-ae6b-2b6091ed52cc ICANN Needs Revolving Door Ethics Rules: US Senator ICANN should have "revolving door" ethics rules for its leadership US Senator Ron Wyden said this week in a letter to the Commerce Department. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=15832 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/09/16/icann-needs-revolving-door-ethics-rules-us-senator/ ICANN To Release New TLD Applicant Guidebook and Site on Monday Monday is a big day for new TLDs as latest applicant guidebook is released. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/09/18/icann-to-release-new-tld-applicant-guidebook-and-site-on-monday/ Get your first look at ICANN?s new gTLDs microsite ICANN is stepping up its so-far lackluster new TLDs outreach campaign with the launch tomorrow of a microsite dedicated to the topic. http://domainincite.com/get-your-first-look-at-icanns-new-gtlds-microsite/ Watch ICANN?s president explain his departure Rod Beckstrom explained his decision to leave ICANN next year, and gave a status report on the new TLDs program, in a recent video. http://domainincite.com/watch-icanns-president-explain-his-departure/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** Thousands of .eu domains released for sale [sub req'd] ... The domains will be released by .eu registry EURid, which acted on a ruling by the Brussels Court of Appeal. Individuals and businesses from the EU can register over a 48-hour period, from October 24-25 2011 http://www.managingip.com/Article/2902098/Managing-Internet-IP-Archive/Thousands-of-eu-domains-released-for-sale.html Domain Registration Rules Reorganized The .IS registration rules (.is domain policy) has been reorginzed and rewritten. No substantial changes have been made but the rule wording has been changed and modernized. The reorganization work was done by a law student Steind?r Dan Jensen in cooperation with the ISNIC staff. The new rules will come into effect on November 1 2011. http://www.isnic.is/en/news/view?id=235 my: Registration for IDN Jawi, Chinese and Tamil Is Now Open! We are pleased to announce that, registration for IDN Jawi, Chinese and Tamil is now open to existing .my customers from 20 September 2011 - 30 November 2011. http://domainregistry.my/en/news.php?id=121 IN .ORG WE TRUST: Survey Reveals Americans Turn To The .ORG Domain In Times of Crisis and Calm It?s no secret that the rise in corporate social media use has increased multi-fold over the past few years, leaving some to question the future of the corporate website. http://pir.org/pr/2011/survey PIR Survey Says .Org Trusted, But Let?s Look at the Numbers Public Interest Registry released the results of a 1,000 person survey today about trust and TLDs. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/09/15/pir-survey-says-org-trusted-but-lets-look-at-the-numbers/ Trademark Owners Should Block .XXX Domains As of September 7, 2011, owners of registered trademarks can file applications to prevent third parties from registering .XXX domain names containing their trademarks. This initial period, known as the sunrise period, will conclude on October 28, 2011. Applications to opt-out can be submitted through any .XXX accredited registrar, with costs varying depending upon the registrar. http://tcattorney.typepad.com/anticybersquatting_consum/2011/09/trademark-owners-should-block-dotxxx-domains.html Smut domain scores big bucks for not handling smut Thousands of companies, far more than expected, are handing over hundreds of dollars each to block their brands in the new .xxx internet domain. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/16/domain_firm_rakes_in_cash_from_pr0n_shy_companies/ ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** INTA Executive Director Alan Drewsen Talks Trademark Protection and Cybersquatting. As I was reading back through some old blog posts, I stumbled across this Vtalk Radio interview sponsored by my firm Traverse Legal, PLC of Alan Drewsen, the executive director of the International Trademark Association (INTA). As many of you who follow this blog know, we specialize in internet law. A significant portion of our practice deals specifically with domain name disputes. http://tcattorney.typepad.com/ip/2008/07/inta-executive.html Cheap gTLD drive adds to ICANN?s to-do list ICANN may be given a huge to-do list before it starts accepting new TLD applications, in order to help level the playing field between rich and poor countries. http://domainincite.com/cheap-gtld-drive-adds-to-icanns-to-do-list/ Thinking of Applying for a Truly Generic TLD, but Restricting Ownership to a Single Registrant? by Elisa Cooper As it's coming down to brass tacks and companies are now seriously considering applying for their own .Brand TLD, questions about whether to also apply for a truly generic TLD keep popping up. Many large corporations want to know whether it's even possible to apply for something like .Shoes AND to restrict registrations so that only a single specified registrant is allowed. After all, for the right company it seems that something like .Shoes could be a valuable namespace -- short, easy to remember, and easy to spell. http://www.circleid.com/posts/thinking_of_applying_for_a_truly_generic_tld_but_restricting_ownership/ Protecting IP Rights in a New gTLD World - Diligence Is Still Required by Elisa Cooper The basic structure of Internet naming is soon likely to undergo its most significant change since its inception ? and the implications are extensive. ICANN, the international body governing Internet naming and addressing practices, approved in June during its meeting in Singapore a plan that allows for a virtually unlimited number of new gTLDs, including new non-English, characterset international domain names (IDNs). The first of the new registrations could show up as soon as early 2013. https://www.markmonitor.com/download/articles/2011/eCommerce_Law_Byline.pdf Inconsistencies in ICANN New TLD Application Fees by Michael D. Palage In preparation for Monday's Joint Applicant Support (JAS) Working Group call, I spent some time reviewing various documents in connection with what are ICANN's actual costs in reviewing TLD applications. One thing that caught my attention was the following metric in Rod Beckstrom's most recent CEO Monthly One Page Metric Report. http://www.circleid.com/posts/inconsistencies_in_icann_new_tld_application_fees/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Hacking away at the Internet's Security by Geoff Huston The front page story of the September 13 2011 issue of the International Herald Tribune said it all: "Iranian activists feel the chill as hacker taps into e-mails." The news story relates how a hacker has "sneaked into the computer systems of a security firm on the outskirts of Amsterdam" and then "created credentials that could allow someone to spy on Internet connections that appeared to be secure." According to this news report this incident punched a hole in an online security mechanism that is trusted by hundreds of millions of Internet users all over the network. http://www.potaroo.net/ispcol/2011-10/hacking.html Hundreds of Go Daddy sites compromised Hundreds of websites hosted by Go Daddy were found to be compromised, and were redirecting visitors who'd arrived at the sites from search engines to a site with malware on it, the hosting provider said on Friday. http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20107541-245/hundreds-of-go-daddy-hosted-sites-compromised/ http://www.zdnet.com.au/hundreds-of-go-daddy-sites-compromised-339322587.htm Heidi Klum the 'most dangerous' celeb on the Net Move over, Cameron Diaz, there's a new leader in the race to be the "world's most dangerous celebrity." http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20106648-17/heidi-klum-the-most-dangerous-celeb-on-the-net/ Heidi Klum deemed most dangerous celeb in cyberspace Supermodel and TV host Heidi Klum was named on Thursday as the most dangerous celebrity in cyberspace, inviting malware and viruses to flourish on computers. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/09/15/uk-heidiklum-idUKTRE78E5RG20110915 DDoS risk plagues accidental ISPs Mobile telcos that became "accidental" ISPs through the rise of mobile broadband are more at risk of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks than fixed broadband providers, according to Arbor Networks Asia Pacific solutions architect Roland Dobbins. http://www.zdnet.com.au/ddos-risk-plagues-accidental-isps-339322533.htm Cyber crime threat to Australian economy, security Australia is increasingly at risk from an onslaught of internet crooks, hackers and cyber-bullies, a new Government paper warns. It says billions of dollars are being lost, confidence is being eroded and the threat is growing to the nation's social wellbeing, economic prosperity and broader interests. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/connect/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501833&objectid=10752093 UK cyber-readiness is 'patchy', says Chatham House The UK government is not sharing enough information about cyberthreats with critical infrastructure organisations, according to Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security-threats/2011/09/15/uk-cyber-readiness-is-patchy-says-chatham-house-40093946/ UK business executives should be more aware of cyber threats, report says A report by researchers at international and current affairs think-tank Chatham House said that many UK businesses operated with an "unexpectedly high level of risk" to online security and that senior managers were not aware of the "nature" of problems that faced them. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/uk-business-executives-should-be-more-aware-of-cyber-threats-report-says/ cn: Country calls for increasing int'l security info sharing China Tuesday called on the international community to work more closely to improve information security. "China believes information and Internet security is a common challenge facing all countries, thus it can only be effectively coped with through international cooperation," foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a daily press briefing Tuesday. http://www.globaltimes.cn/NEWS/tabid/99/ID/675135/Country-calls-for-increasing-intl-security-info-sharing.aspx China and Information vs. Cyber Security On Monday, China, along with Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, asked UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to circulate their proposed International Code of Conduct for Information Security as a formal UN document at the 66th session of the General Assembly. http://blogs.cfr.org/asia/2011/09/15/china-and-information-vs-cybersecurity/ ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** ??????????????MirandaKerr.com.au ????domain.cn?9?14??? ??????????????auDA?????????????MirandaKerr.com.au?????????????????????????????????MirandaK http://news.domain.cn/html/haiwaizixun/2011/0914/13755.html ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Limitations of Carrier Grade NAT, and Some Workarounds by Brough Turner Qtel, the largest carrier in Qatar (and nearly the only Internet provider) appears to connect all their users (~600K) to the Internet through just one or a very few public IPv4 addresses. 82.148.97.69 was their single public address in 2006-2007. How can network address translation (NAT) put all those users through just one IP address? http://www.circleid.com/posts/limitations_of_carrier_grade_nat_and_some_workarounds/ nl: Nominations invited for the IPv6 Awards 2011 On Thursday 17 November, the third annual IPv6 Awards will be presented to the best Dutch implementations of the new Internet Protocol. https://www.sidn.nl/en/news/news/article/nominations-invited-for-the-ipv6-awards-2011/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Domain Registrars and Web Hosts Sued Over Email Patent GoDaddy, Network Solutions, and Rackspace are among the defendants names in a new patent lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/09/16/domain-registrars-and-web-hosts-sued-over-email-patent/ The 4th International Conference for CCTLD administrators and registrars of the CIS, Central and Eastern Europe opened in Serbia On 14 September, the 4th International Conference for ccTLD administrators and registrars of the CIS, Central and Eastern Europe opened in the city of Novi Sad, Serbia. This year, the conference is attended by nearly 100 participants who represent national registries and domain names registrars from almost 30 countries. http://cctld.ru/en/news/news_detail.php?ID=1774 The design of the Domain Name System (Part VIII) - Names Outside the DNS In previous installments we've been looking at aspects of the design of the DNS. In today's grand finale we look at the the subtle but very knotty issue of names inside and outside the DNS. http://jl.ly/Internet/dnsdesign8.html ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Why your brand should invest in a category-defining domain name Last November, Amazon acquired a company called Quidsi Inc. in a deal valued at $500 million. Quidsi is the parent company of BeautyBar.com, an online boutique for luxury beauty products; Soap.com, the largest online specialty store for health, personal care, and household products; and Diapers.com, the largest online baby care specialty store. Diapers.com is also the fastest-growing e-commerce website in the world. http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/30012.asp Teaparty.com Could Make a Rock Band Rich Political operatives may pay top dollar for the domain name, owned by a Canadian rock band that pioneered a style called ?Moroccan roll? http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/teapartycom-could-make-a-rock-band-rich-09152011.html Industry Landscape Continues to Change - Oversee.net Cuts 13% of Staff & Deck Reshuffled at DomainAdvertising.com The one constant you can always count on in the domain industry is change. We've certainly seen a lot of it this summer with the decline of some companies, the birth of new ones, management changes and mergers at others, etc. After the departure of several key executives, including President Jeff Kupietzky a couple of weeks ago, Oversee.net announced a 13% reduction in staff today. http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2011/dailyposts/20110915.htm Six-Figure .co.uk Sale - The Year's 2nd Biggest Country Code Transaction - Sets the Pace on This Week's Domain Sales Chart After having just one name on last week's all extension Top 20 Sales Chart (a rarity for the usually strong ccTLDs) the country codes were back with a vengeance this week, taking the top spot on the elite list and five places over all. Beds.co.uk led the ccTLD charge in a big ?80,000 ($130,400) deal - the year's 2nd biggest country code sale to date. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2011/20110907.htm ********************** REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** The Dissenting Values at the Heart of the Internet: How Child Protection and Freedom of Expression Advocates Negotiate Shared Values and Shape the Future Internet by Alison Powell & Victoria Nash [University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute] Abstract: In much of the world, the internet is now an expected everywhere-always-on utility used for information gathering, communication and social networking. Yet along with its incredible power to increase access to knowledge and opportunities for expression, the same characteristics that make the internet so unique as a tool for freedom, including the openness of its architecture, its facilitation of anonymity, and the proliferation of content across its platforms also create concerns that undesirable and even illegal content is ever-more available. Particular concern is raised in regard to children and vulnerable users and their potential exposure to specific risks (content, interactions) that may prove harmful. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1927970 ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Google Sees India Web Explosion - Internet Use Poised to Balloon but Some Business Habits Die Hard Google Inc. predicts India will add 200 million Internet users in the next two years, but capitalizing on that huge emerging audience will be challenging in a country where television and newspapers suck up advertising dollars and the government is throwing up regulatory hurdles. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904060604576572552645756840.html uk: Neglecting online services costs retailers ?500m in lost sales Some of the biggest names on the high street are losing hundreds of millions of pounds by failing to keep their websites and smartphone apps up to scratch. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/sep/19/online-sales-retailers-morrisons ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Twitter lags as marketing tool while Facebook stays the leader Twitter is proving a poor platform for driving readers to print news websites, despite widespread adoption by news organisations around the globe as a social media marketing tool. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/twitter-lags-as-marketing-tool-while-facebook-stays-the-leader/story-e6frg996-1226140368274 Rudd shows tweet can go a long way as former PM hits the one million mark Kevin Rudd last week hit the one million mark with Twitter followers, the same week that a major poll claimed the Labor Party's primary vote would go up a whopping 15 per cent if he returned to the leadership. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/rudd-shows-tweet-can-go-a-long-way-as-former-pm-hits-the-one-million-mark/story-fna1k39o-1226140323331 Google+ adds an API for apps ? but study suggests 40% fall in use Google+ has launched an API that should allow developers to write third-party apps that will be able to post and read directly to the service - a move that may be sorely needed, after an independent study suggested that the number of posts to the service has fallen by over 40% in the past two months. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2011/sep/16/google-plus-api-use-dip Facebook lets users track posts from strangers [AFP] Facebook is letting members follow strangers Twitter-style in the latest of a barrage of data maelstrom-taming moves since rival social network Google+ launched in June. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/facebook-lets-users-track-posts-from-strangers-2355109.html ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* FTC proposes new children?s online privacy rule The Federal Trade Commission Thursday announced it is seeking comment on revisions to the Children?s Online Privacy Protection Act that would extend it to cover evolving technologies such as web and mobile platforms for children under the age of 13. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-tech/post/ftc-proposes-new-childrens-online-privacy-rule/2011/09/15/gIQAB2ihUK_blog.html Update Urged on Children?s Online Privacy Aiming to catch up with fast-churning technology that touches children?s lives every day, the Federal Trade Commission on Thursday proposed long-awaited changes to regulations covering online privacy for children. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/16/technology/ftc-proposes-updates-to-law-on-childrens-online-privacy.html FTC plans changes in online child privacy protection rules [IDG] The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has proposed amendments to online privacy rules for children that aim to give parents control over what personal information websites may collect from children under 13. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/091611-ftc-plans-changes-in-online-250966.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/240144/ftc_plans_changes_in_online_child_privacy_protection_rules.html us: FTC Seeks Comment on Proposed Revisions to Children?s Online Privacy Protection Rule - Changes in Technology Drive Proposed Updates [news release] The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to the Children?s Online Privacy Protection Rule, which gives parents control over what personal information websites may collect from children under 13. The FTC proposes these amendments to ensure that the Rule continues to protect children?s privacy, as mandated by Congress, as online technologies evolve. The Commission proposes modifications to the Rule in five areas: definitions, including the definitions of ?personal information? and ?collection,? parental notice, parental consent mechanisms, confidentiality and security of children?s personal information, and the role of self-regulatory ?safe harbor? programs. http://ftc.gov/opa/2011/09/coppa.shtm CDT Statement on FTC's Proposed COPPA Revisions Today the FTC released its Proposed Revisions to the Children?s Online Privacy Protection Rule. CDT is encouraged that the proposal does not recommend expanding the Children?s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) to cover older minors or placing requirements on websites that have only a general knowledge that some of their users are children. http://cdt.org/pr_statement/cdt-statement-ftcs-proposed-coppa-revisions us: Kids, Parents & Online Safety That?s the unsurprising but nonetheless heartening finding from a new survey of parental attitudes about online child safety and parental control technologies. The July survey, which was conducted by Hart Research Associates on behalf of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), asked over 700 parents with household Internet access how they were coping with online safety challenges. The results illustrate how parents are taking an active role in mentoring their children as their kids increasingly assimilate digital technologies and the Internet into their lives. http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamthierer/2011/09/15/kids-parents-online-safety/ Comment: Cyber bullies are vile, but should we be locking them up? An 18-week sentence for Sean Duffy, a young man who posted astonishingly malevolent messages on a Facebook memorial page, one set up to mourn Natasha MacBryde, a teenager who had committed suicide, has been attacked by some people as too lenient. Another bereaved parent, who feels he may also be Duffy's victim, thought 18 months would be more like it. Duffy, aged 25, was the second such offender to be prosecuted under the Malicious Communications Act; last year, Colm Cross was jailed for posting obscenities on Facebook tribute sites, including that of Jade Goody. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/18/catherine-bennett-trolling-internet-bullying Cyberbullying Is a Serious Problem, but Is It an Epidemic? I'm glad that media outlets and public officials are shining a light on cyberbullying and bullying in general. It's important to pay attention to this serious problem, but we need to keep it in perspective. As bad as it is, cyberbullying is not an epidemic and it's not killing our children. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-magid/cyberbullying-is-a-seriou_b_967310.html au: ACMA fighting online child abuse [news release] During National Child Protection Week (4 to 11 September), the Australian Communications and Media Authority conducted a record 90 investigations into online content containing child abuse material after being tipped off by members of the Australian public. http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_410161 ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Web pirates ready block-busting software Usenet indexing site Newzbin2 is readying software it claims will defeat attempts to stop people visiting it. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14930394 Newzbin 2 operators launch software to counteract site-blocking measures, reports say A copyright-infringing website has developed software to circumvent technology BT has been ordered to use to prevent its customers accessing the site, according to media reports. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/newzbin-2-operators-launch-software-to-counteract-site-blocking-measures-reports-say/ It's the biggest name on the web. Now Google bids for TV supremacy If you want to learn more about Downton Abbey, a Google search might be the place to start. But now the internet giant wants to create its own hit programming, in a $600m move which could threaten the future of traditional broadcasters. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/its-the-biggest-name-on-the-web-now-google-bids-for-tv-supremacy-2356189.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Windows 8? A coder's guide Why the iPad is too cheap, Objective-C is no good, Android is nearly good enough, and Windows 8 could answer your development needs: a professional coder's guide ... Up in the clouds, where the Gods of Computing live, there's a wheel. This wheel turns slowly, but once every 12 years or so it completes a revolution and everything changes. The changes from mainframe to mini, from mini to PC, the PC to internet, and now the internet to mobile has each taken around 12 years. Whenever there is a major shift we see a "tsunami of money" enter the market and it washes away giants, creates new land for new opportunities and generally upsets everything in its wake. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2011/sep/16/ios-android-windows8-programming-choose UN report: 1 in 8 worldwide have mobile broadband [AP] About one in eight people around the world can now connect to the Internet wherever, and whenever, they want to. A U.N. report released Thursday has found that active mobile broadband subscriptions surged last year, reaching 872 million worldwide last year, up from 531 million in 2009. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/un-report-1-in-8-worldwide-have-mobile-broadband-20110916-1kcbh.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/un-report-1-in-8-worldwide-have-mobile-broadband-20110916-1kcbh.html ITU releases latest global ICT pricing and penetration data - Korea tops ICT ranking, Broadband prices drop 50% between 2008 and 2010, Huge differences in broadband speed and quality between countries [news release] New figures released today by ITU show that information and communication technology (ICT) uptake continues to accelerate worldwide, spurred by a steady fall in the price of telephone and broadband Internet services. http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2011/31.aspx Mobile phone bonanza 'over', despite demand in developing markets The 20-year bonanza enjoyed by mobile phone carriers is nearing its end, with revenues failing to keep pace with the number of new connections, according to research to be published on Tuesday. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/sep/19/mobile-phone-bonanza-over Profits plunge for maker of BlackBerry BlackBerry maker Research in Motion saw profits collapse over the summer as a lack of new models, low demand for its tablet computer and the unstoppable rise of the iPhone and Android mobiles took their toll. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/sep/16/profits-plunge-maker-blackberry-rim Smartphone security below par, says EU agency Smartphone security is not what it ought to be as popular apps are increasingly targeted by cyber attackers, according to a report by the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA). http://www.euractiv.com/infosociety/smartphone-security-par-eu-agency-news-507582 New report: App-store security? the 'five lines of defence' [news release] The Agency today publishes a new report on app-store security where it advocates for a baseline set of ?five lines of defence ? against malware. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/app-store-security2013-the-five-lines-of-defence-new-report-by-eu-cyber-security-agency-enisa Samsung files counter claim against Apple in Australia Samsung has hit back at Apple, filing a cross claim in the Federal Court in Sydney citing patent breaches in its mobile devices. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/samsung-files-counter-claim-against-apple-in-australia/story-e6frgakx-1226139759846 ********************** SECURITY ********************** Heidi Klum the 'most dangerous' celeb on the Net Move over, Cameron Diaz, there's a new leader in the race to be the "world's most dangerous celebrity." http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20106648-17/heidi-klum-the-most-dangerous-celeb-on-the-net/ Heidi Klum deemed most dangerous celeb in cyberspace Supermodel and TV host Heidi Klum was named on Thursday as the most dangerous celebrity in cyberspace, inviting malware and viruses to flourish on computers. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/09/15/uk-heidiklum-idUKTRE78E5RG20110915 DDoS risk plagues accidental ISPs Mobile telcos that became "accidental" ISPs through the rise of mobile broadband are more at risk of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks than fixed broadband providers, according to Arbor Networks Asia Pacific solutions architect Roland Dobbins. http://www.zdnet.com.au/ddos-risk-plagues-accidental-isps-339322533.htm Cyber crime threat to Australian economy, security Australia is increasingly at risk from an onslaught of internet crooks, hackers and cyber-bullies, a new Government paper warns. It says billions of dollars are being lost, confidence is being eroded and the threat is growing to the nation's social wellbeing, economic prosperity and broader interests. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/connect/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501833&objectid=10752093 UK cyber-readiness is 'patchy', says Chatham House The UK government is not sharing enough information about cyberthreats with critical infrastructure organisations, according to Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security-threats/2011/09/15/uk-cyber-readiness-is-patchy-says-chatham-house-40093946/ UK business executives should be more aware of cyber threats, report says A report by researchers at international and current affairs think-tank Chatham House said that many UK businesses operated with an "unexpectedly high level of risk" to online security and that senior managers were not aware of the "nature" of problems that faced them. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/uk-business-executives-should-be-more-aware-of-cyber-threats-report-says/ cn: Country calls for increasing int'l security info sharing China Tuesday called on the international community to work more closely to improve information security. "China believes information and Internet security is a common challenge facing all countries, thus it can only be effectively coped with through international cooperation," foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a daily press briefing Tuesday. http://www.globaltimes.cn/NEWS/tabid/99/ID/675135/Country-calls-for-increasing-intl-security-info-sharing.aspx China and Information vs. Cyber Security On Monday, China, along with Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, asked UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to circulate their proposed International Code of Conduct for Information Security as a formal UN document at the 66th session of the General Assembly. http://blogs.cfr.org/asia/2011/09/15/china-and-information-vs-cybersecurity/ ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Burma allows access to banned news websites Burma's repressive government has allowed access to banned news websites for the first time in years, including several operated by exiled dissidents. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/burmamyanmar/8768423/Burma-allows-access-to-banned-news-websites.html Myanmar Unblocks Some Banned Websites [AP] Myanmar's repressive government was allowing access to banned news websites Friday for the first time in years, including several operated by exiled dissidents. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903927204576574251164891720.html Thai Clampdown on Internet Traffic Worries Companies Global companies are growing increasingly worried that Thailand's recent clamp-down on Internet traffic might drag down the country's economic potential and make it more difficult to expand there. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903532804576568534267649452.html Most Asian nations realizing Internet cannot be tamed It's not just dictators. Governments around the world, many of them popularly elected, have tried for years to control the Internet and social media, dismayed by their potential to incite violence, spread mischief and distribute pornography and dissent. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/16/us-china-internet-asia-idUSTRE78F03O20110916 http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/09/16/idINIndia-59373420110916 ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** EU probing if Google dominates Internet search EU regulators are still undecided whether Google dominates in Internet search and if it has abused rivals in breach of competition rules, the EU's antitrust chief said on Friday. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/09/16/oukin-uk-eu-google-idUKTRE78F14B20110916 http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/09/16/idINIndia-59382120110916 Scrutinizing Google?s Reign Google?s slogan may be don?t be evil, but a growing chorus of antitrust regulators in the United States and Europe want to know if the company has lived up to that creed. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/19/technology/googles-to-face-congressional-antitrust-hearing.html us: Google antitrust probe to shed light on search, experts say [IDG] The U.S. Federal Trade Commission's antitrust investigation into Google's search engine could shine some light on the secret inner workings of the company's search ranking decisions and the relationship between advertising and free search results, some Google critics said Friday. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9220104/Google_antitrust_probe_to_shed_light_on_search_experts_say New Zealand three-strikes copyright law comes into effect New Zealand's three-strikes rule for online copyright infringement came into effect on 1 September 2011. Under the new regime copyright owners can make allegations of illegal file sharing to internet service providers (ISPs), who are required to forward the notices to their customers. http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=203b8250-6589-4832-b1d0-076b614879c1 nz: Skynet bill's arrival proves a non-event OPINION: Twenty-nine years ago this month the first Terminator movie came out. An unlikely tale of a cyborg assassin sent back in time to prevent the birth of key figures in the post-apocalyptic world, it was never expected to be a commercial success and certainly no aesthetic achievement. ... The first was the Internet Safety Group, better known as NetSafe; an independent non-profit organisation that promotes safe and responsible use of the internet and it did a bang-up job of creating and distributing a range of resources designed to stop mums, dads and schools from getting pinged. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion/5647864/Skynet-bills-arrival-proves-a-non-event Klaus Wowereit Wins Third Term as Berlin Mayor Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit has won a third term in Sunday's elections in the city-state. The victory represents a boost for his center-left Social Democrats. The Pirate Party, which advocates Internet freedoms, has won seats in a German state parliament for the first time after getting around 9 percent of the vote. http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,786967,00.html ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Yahoo, AOL and Microsoft 'to challenge Google for display ads' Yahoo, AOL and Microsoft are joining forces to try and loosen Google's grip on internet advertising, according to reports. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/sep/15/yahoo-aol-microsoft-google-display-ads AOL, Yahoo and Microsoft Reportedly in Ad Deal Yahoo, AOL and Microsoft, three major technology companies that have traditionally competed for digital advertising revenue, have created an unusual partnership in which they will sell ads for one another. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/15/business/media/aol-yahoo-and-microsoft-are-said-to-reach-an-ad-deal.html ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Competition driving down NZ broadband prices The New Zealand telco market is giving Australia a run for its money with news that ISPs across the Tasman are catching up to their Aussie counterparts. A new report, published by Market Clarity, found that New Zealand telcos are becoming increasingly competitive. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/400818/competition_driving_down_nz_broadband_prices/ http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/091511-competition-driving-down-nz-broadband-250929.html NZ regulator sees mobile price-cut impact The Commerce Commission says mobile users are beginning to benefit from wholesale price cuts, but 2degrees claims the industry is taking too long to respond to regulation. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10752076 NZ telco market catching up to Australia: report The New Zealand telco market is giving Australia a run for its money with news that local ISPs are catching up to their Aussie counterparts. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/nz-telco-market-catching-up-to-australia-report Brunei, Singapore telecom regulators renew cooperation The Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) yesterday inked a deal with Singapore's Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) to renew collaboration and technical cooperation on telecommunication regulatory areas. http://business.asiaone.com/Business/News/Story/A1Story20110917-299943.html California joins suit to block AT&T purchase of T-Mobile AT&T Inc.'s $39-billion fight to take over cellular provider T-Mobile USA Inc. has taken another hit. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-att-california-20110917,0,1608502.story au: ACMA to auction 4G spectrum The communications regulator is expected later today to reveal long-awaited details of its plan to auction digital dividend spectrum earmarked for new 4G broadband services. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/government/acma-to-auction-4g-spectrum/story-fn4htb9o-1226140824029 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2011 ------ David Goldstein email: david§goldsteinreport.com web: http://goldsteinreport.com/ http://davidgoldstein.tel/ 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 Sep 18 2011 - 21:53:31 UTC
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