Hi all, The auDA board election was held today with the election of board members. Josh Row and George Pongas were re-elected while new board members are Paul Levins (demand) and Kartic Srinivasan (supply). More information is available at http://www.dntrade.com.au/auda-agm-2011-election-results-t3961.html including votes candidates received in a posting from Josh. Cheers David *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** BRIC nations push for bigger say in policing of Internet [Canadian Press] http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/tech-news/bric-nations-push-for-bigger-say-in-policing-of-internet/article2188856/ Work Continues to Increase Developing Economies Participation in the New gTLD Program http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-13oct11-en.htm ICANN to Manage Time Zone Database http://www.icann.org/en/news/releases/release-14oct11-en.pdf http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/10/17/icann-to-manage-time-zone-database/ VeriSign Withdraws Request To Suspend Malicious Domains http://www.darkreading.com/insider-threat/167801100/security/vulnerabilities/231900792/verisign-withdraws-request-to-suspend-malicious-domains.html Of Canaries and Coal Mines: Verisign's Proposal and Sudden Withdrawal of Domain Anti-Abuse Policy by Milton Mueller http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2011/10/14/4919243.html dotHIV Initiative Aiming To Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/10/14/dothiv-initiative-aiming-to-raise-hivaids-awareness/ ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** BRIC nations push for bigger say in policing of Internet [Canadian Press] Campaigners for a loosely regulated Internet are alarmed at the risk to Web freedom from fast-growing BRIC and other emerging economies seeking more say in how the online realm is policed. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/tech-news/bric-nations-push-for-bigger-say-in-policing-of-internet/article2188856/ Patterns of Legalization in the Internet: Do We Need a Constitutional Theory for Internet Law? by Osvaldo Sald?as [Humboldt-Universitat Zu Berlin Internet & Society Working Paper] Abstract: The paper acknowledges a growing web of legal norms that regulate governance aspects of the Internet. Some of these norms are legally binding; others are closer to what some scholars call soft law. In order to take stock of these developments, I propose an explorative typology that can bring some systematic order into the plurality of Internet norms. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1942161 ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Work Continues to Increase Developing Economies Participation in the New gTLD Program Section I: Description, Explanation, and Purpose - A message from the JAS WG: Public comment is requested concerning the Joint Applicant Support Final Report [PDF, 503 KB] which deals with a very important issue: How can ICANN assist applicants from developing economies increase their participation in the New gTLD Program? Comments will be received until December 16 2011. http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-13oct11-en.htm ICANN to Manage Time Zone Database ICANN today (14 October) took over operation of an Internet Time Zone Database that is used by a number of major computer systems. http://www.icann.org/en/news/releases/release-14oct11-en.pdf http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16110 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/10/17/icann-to-manage-time-zone-database/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/icann-to-manage-time-zone-database.html ICANN FY11 Financials ? Open, Transparent and CLEAN! For the 12th straight year, ICANN has received an unqualified "clean" opinion from the independent auditors, Moss Adams LLP. We have posted the results and invite you to take a transparent peek into our audited FY11 financials. http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-13oct11-en.htm ICANN steps in to protect time database subject to US legal action [AP] THE organization in charge of the Internet's address system is taking over a database widely used by computers and websites to keep track of time zones around the world. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/icann-steps-in-to-protect-time-database-subject-to-us-legal-action/story-e6frgakx-1226168118419 http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/organization-in-charge-of-domain-name-takes-over-database-on-time-zones-around-the-world/2011/10/16/gIQAEmuqoL_story.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/time-zone-database-has-new-home-after-lawsuit-20111017-1lrzc.html ICANN steps in front of astrology lawsuit ICANN has agreed to take over a critical online time zone database, after its original operators were sued for copyright infringement by an astrology software company. http://domainincite.com/icann-steps-in-front-of-astrology-lawsuit/ Rod Beckstrom | More domain names should lower prices, increase innovation Internet domain names are on the threshold of a sweeping change. Instead of being confined to a handful of extensions such as .com or .org, ICANN will allow any word to be registered as a domain name extension, or gTLD, as they are known. Rod Beckstrom, president and chief executive officer, ICANN, who calls it the ?largest opening in the history of the Internet?, in an interview in India said this will lead to innovations that can?t even be imagined today. Advertisers and marketers are critical of the move as they say it could lead to a spurt in litigation over cyber squatting. http://www.livemint.com/2011/10/14010727/Rod-Beckstrom--More-domain-na.html ICANN?s Reply Cycle Falling Flat If you held a comment period about comment periods, then tested a new comment period idea called ?reply cycle? on that same comment period about comment periods, would anybody come? http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/13/icanns-reply-cycle-falling-flat/ ICANN?s Assets Grow to $100 Million Today ICANN posted its audited financial statements (pdf) for Financial Year 2011 (which ended in June). Here are some highlights: Total assets grew to $100 million from $83 million the year prior. When accounting for liabilities ICANN has $80 million in ?unrestricted net assets?. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/14/icanns-assets-grow-to-100-million/ Call for Survey Participation - Review of ICANN Address Supporting Organization (ASO) The consultancy firm ITEMS International is conducting an organizational review of the ICANN Address Supporting Organization (ASO). The aim of the survey is to assess how well the ASO has been performing within the ICANN system and to determine whether any change in its structure or operations is desirable to improve its effectiveness. http://www.ripe.net/internet-coordination/news/industry-developments/call-for-survey-participation-review-of-icann-address-supporting-organization-aso-1 ICANN directors ruled out of CEO search ICANN?s directors have been barred from applying for the soon-to-be-vacated CEO position. http://domainincite.com/icann-directors-ruled-out-of-ceo-search/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** Good news for trade mark owners: strict ".au" domain name rules remain largely unchanged Australian brand owners can still rely upon some strong protections for their online brand. http://www.mondaq.com/australia/x/149034/Internet/Good+news+for+trade+mark+owners+strict+au+domain+name+rules+remain+largely+unchanged http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=7cf8d3c6-7a3a-43f9-a790-b5190368c803 VeriSign Withdraws Request To Suspend Malicious Domains In a bizarre twist of events, VeriSign has now withdrawn a controversial request it submitted to ICANN earlier this week to suspend domains that harbor botnets and malware. http://www.darkreading.com/insider-threat/167801100/security/vulnerabilities/231900792/verisign-withdraws-request-to-suspend-malicious-domains.html Of Canaries and Coal Mines: Verisign's Proposal and Sudden Withdrawal of Domain Anti-Abuse Policy by Milton Mueller Too many techies still don't understand the concept of due process, and opportunistic law enforcement agencies, who tend to view due process constraints as an inconvenience, are very happy to take advantage of that. That's the lesson to draw from Verisign's proposal and sudden withdrawal of a new "domain name anti-abuse policy" yesterday. The proposal, which seems to have been intended as a new service to registrars, would have allowed Verisign to perform malware scans on all .com, .net, and .name domain names quarterly when registrars agreed to let them do it. http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2011/10/14/4919243.html VeriSign yanks domain seizure power request VeriSign has withdrawn its request for new powers to delete domain names being used for abusive purposes, just a few days after filing it with ICANN. http://domainincite.com/verisign-yanks-domain-seizure-power-request/ Now You See It, Now You Don't: Verisign Withdraws Malicious Domains Suspension Request It was only live for two days, but Verisign has withdrawn its proposed Anti-Abuse Domain Use Policy that, if approved, would have allowed the provider of internet infrastructure services and registry for .COM, .NET and .NAME domains to suspend or delete domain names thought to be involved with botnets and malware. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16088 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/10/14/verisign-withdraws-malicious-domains-suspension/ Verisign Withdraws Request to Shut Down Sites Verisign has withdrawn its request seeking the power to shut down non-legitimate websites, two days after submitting it to ICANN. http://newswire.xbiz.com/view.php?id=139654 Did Verisign Just Blink? Verisign has withdrawn its two-day-old proposal to institute a new anti-abuse policy that would have included taking down websites accused of malicious activity through a request mechanism that included no court review. http://news.avn.com/articles/Did-Verisign-Just-Blink-451055.html VeriSign Withdraws Request for Domain Takedown Just two days after formally proposing a controversial mechanism to scan domain names and take down web sites used for certain malicious purposes, VeriSign has withdrawn the request. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/13/breaking-verisign-withdraws-request-for-domain-takedown/ The .fr TLD turns 25 - The winners of "The French Reconnection" awards The 5 winners of "The French Reconnection" contest received their awards at the gala evening organised to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the .fr TLD http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/5201/show/the-fr-tld-turns-25-the-winners-of-the-french-reconnection-awards-1.html 11 October 2011 - AFNIC celebrates the 25th anniversary of the .fr TLD The .fr TLD is turning 25, and on 11 October, AFNIC is holding a special gala evening on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower to mark the event. http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/5156/show/11-october-2011-afnic-celebrates-the-25th-anniversary-of-the-fr-tld-1.html nl: Nominees for SIDN Internet Awards 2011 announced! SIDN has announced the nominees for the second annual round of SIDN Internet Awards. From the many entries received, thirteen innovative, inspiring and clever projects have been singled out. The nominated projects will now have the opportunity to stake a claim for one of the coveted awards, which will be presented on 10 November at the congress being organised to mark the .nl domain?s silver jubilee. https://www.sidn.nl/en/news/news/article/genomineerden-sidn-internet-awards-2011-bekend-1/ .SE presents the Internet Days 2011 On November 21-23, .SE (The Internet Infrastructure Foundation) will host the Internet Days conference, Sweden?s most important meeting place for all those interested in the Internet. https://www.iis.se/en/pressmeddelanden/se-presenterar-internetdagarna-2011 .uk Registrar Conference 2011 - Book your place now! Registrars are facing the challenges of the economic climate and many are also anticipating a changed gTLD landscape. http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=8806 ICM Registry Launches .XXX Adult Performer Program ICM Registry, the company behind the .XXX TLD announced the launch of its new .XXX Domain Names for Adult Performers Program. This program aims to assist the adult industry?s professional performers obtain .XXX domain names that correspond to their performer names. http://www.icmregistry.com/press/icm-registry-launches-xxx-adult-performer-program/#more-1162 ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** dotHIV Initiative Aiming To Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness The age of new gTLDs is almost here with ICANN's three month application window beginning on 12 January. Most applications are expected to be from cities, regions and brand names, while general interests are also expected to make up a number of applications. But there is one unique proposal for a red ribbon for the digital era, a .HIV gTLD. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16090 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/10/14/dothiv-initiative-aiming-to-raise-hivaids-awareness/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/dothiv-initiative-aiming-to-raise-hivaids-awareness.html .HIV Domain Name Initiative Turns to Crowd Funding A group hoping to launch the .HIV TLD is turning to crowdfunding to raise the six figures required to apply for the domain. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/13/hiv-domain-name-initiative-turns-to-crowd-funding/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Is Spamhaus A Law Unto Itself? The Spamhaus Project, the powerful and important organisation that tracks the internet's spam operations and sources, appears to have become too big for its boots. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16089 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/10/14/is-spamhaus-a-law-unto-itself/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/is-spamhaus-a-law-unto-itself.html Dutch ISP calls the cops after Spamhaus blacklists it Dutch ISP A2B Internet has filed a complaint with the police after it claimed to have been "blackmailed" by London-based anti-spam outfit Spamhaus. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/13/dutch_isp_accuses_spamhaus/ .aeDA chooses Red Hat Open source solutions provider, Red Hat has announced that the regulatory body and registry operator .ae Domain Administration (.aeDA), has standardised its registry infrastructure on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 operating system with support from Red Hat Network Satellite. http://www.itp.net/586726-aeda-chooses-red-hat ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Legal Brief - October 2011 No Game: Protection of Olympic Trademarks by Chase Marshall :: Sedo.com Legal Staff As the cyber-world has grown tremendously over the course of the past ten years, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as well as other licensed trademark holders such as the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), have felt the need to rev up their trademark enforcement. https://sedo.com/links/showlinks.php3?tracked=&partnerid=&language=us&Id=2912 Cybersquatting Definition under the ACPA. The Basics. What is cybersquatting? It is a question I hear a lot as an internet lawyer protecting trademark interests across the World Wide Web. Today we are speaking with Attorney Brian Hall so we can all better understand what constitutes 'cybersquatting" under the Anti-Cybersquatting Piracy Act (ACPA), commonly referred to as the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act. With statutory damages and attorney fees at stake, you don't ever want to wake up in the morning receiving an ACPA lawsuit from the local process server or a trademark infringement threat letter in your certified mail. http://tcattorney.typepad.com/anticybersquatting_consum/2011/10/cybersquatting-definition-under-the-acpa-the-basics.html ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Protecting Intellectual Property is Good; Mandatory DNS Filtering is Bad by Paul Vixie It has been about six months since I got together with four of my friends from the DNS world and we co-authored a white paper which explains the technical problems with mandated DNS filtering. The legislation we were responding to was S. 968, also called the PROTECT-IP act, which was introduced this year in the U. S. Senate. By all accounts we can expect a similar U. S. House of Representatives bill soon, so we've written a letter to both the House and Senate, renewing and updating our concerns. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20111012_protecting_intellectual_property_good_mandatory_dns_filtering_bad/ Many e-Commerce Sites Risk Losing Holiday Sales to Network Downtime, New Research Finds A new study commissioned by VeriSign ... finds that availability of online e-commerce sites could be at risk -- even for the largest e-tailers -- due to Domain Name System (DNS) performance issues. Considering that the busy holiday shopping season is just around the corner, any unavailability during this critical time can be devastating for businesses. http://www.verisigninc.com/en_US/news-events/press-room/articles/index.xhtml?artLink=aHR0cHM6Ly9wcmVzcy52ZXJpc2lnbi5jb20vZWFzeWlyL2N1c3RvbXJlbC5kbz9lYXN5aXJpZD1BRkMwRkYwREI1QzU2MEQzJnZlcnNpb249bGl2ZSZwcmlkPTgwNzk1MiZyZWxlYXNlanNwPWN1c3RvbV85Nw== Oahu.com set up to help Hawaiian Businesses Obtain $5.5 Billion in Tourist Spend Left of the Dot Media has announced the launch of Oahu.com; a new authority web site and directory focused exclusively on this Hawaiian island. The site features Left of the Dot?s innovative Marketing Name technology that allows small businesses to lease sub-domains from Oahu.com for use in their own marketing and advertising campaigns. http://www.leftofthedot.com/launch-of-oahu-com-gives-honolulu-businesses-new-marketing-opportunity/ ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Important Update: Switch to DNS Now - Switch now from URL forwarding to name server parking to ensure consistent parking earnings If you still use URL forwarding as your primary parking method, you will soon start seeing significant decreases in your parking revenue. Our primary ad provider, Google, has stated that from October 1, only domains that are parked using a name server method can be monetized. In an effort to transition smoothly, we communicated this change to our members several weeks ago. https://sedo.com/links/showlinks.php3?tracked=&partnerid=&language=us&Id=2914 Public Six-Figure Sales Absent This Week But Solid Five-Figure Sales Still Abundant Just one week after one of the best domain sales weeks of the year (one that included four six-figure sales), the temperature in the aftermarket dropped a few degrees this week. The highest publicly reported sale was FreeCharge.com at $55,000 through Moniker/SnapNames. http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2011/20111012.htm Sedo Continues Expansion of SedoMLS, the World?s Largest Domain Distribution Network Sedo, the leading online domain marketplace and monetization provider, today announced the continued expansion of its SedoMLS Promotion Network, providing domain registrars access to the world?s largest domain distribution network. https://sedo.com/presse/presse.php?tracked=&partnerid=&language=e&id=387 Afternic Domains to be Listed on Go Daddy Registration Path Customers who sell domain names through Afternic are about to get a lot more exposure. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/16/breaking-afternic-domains-to-be-listed-on-go-daddy-registration-path/ ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** YouTube Makes the Case That It Helps Build Brands Despite online video and commercial-skipping DVRs, companies still spend 38 percent of their advertising budgets on television ads and just 1 percent on online video. YouTube is trying to change that. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/14/business/media/youtube-makes-the-case-that-it-helps-build-brands.html Smartphone and tablet owners multitask while watching TV, survey finds Apparently, even TV won't keep people from their smartphones and tablet computers, a new study found. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/10/smartphone-and-tablet-owners-multitask-while-watching-tv-survey-finds.html Mobile internet use on the rise: Statistics NZ figures Mobile internet use is surging in New Zealand, according to figures from Statistics New Zealand?s 2011 ISP survey released today. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/mobile-internet-use-on-the-rise-statistics-nz-figures Big numbers using mobile internet - Stats NZ Statistics NZ has found large numbers of people using their mobile phone to access the internet. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/big-increase-mobile-internet-stats-nz-ck-102449 nz: Internet Service Provider Survey: 2011 [News Release] New Zealanders are opting for faster Internet speeds, larger volumes of data, and easier access to the Internet, Statistics New Zealand said today. http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/industry_sectors/information_technology_and_communications/InternetServiceProviderSurvey_MRJun11.aspx nz: Most say internet works better at home Most people find the internet works better at home than at work, according to the results of a stuff.co.nz poll. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/5794026/Most-say-internet-works-better-at-home ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Cyber anarchists blamed for unleashing a series of Facebook 'rape pages' A shadowy network of ?cyber-anarchists? has been linked to a proliferation of controversial ?rape pages? on Facebook that are drawing millions of users, including many young Britons, Australians and Americans, to the social networking site. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/facebook/8829165/Cyber-anarchists-blamed-for-unleashing-a-series-of-Facebook-rape-pages.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/facebook-refuses-to-shut-rape-page-run-by-schoolboy-20111017-1lsde.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/facebook-refuses-to-shut-rape-page-run-by-schoolboy-20111017-1lsde.html Can Facebook Persuade Advertisers to Forget About Clicks? In addition to rolling out new features like the Timeline view of your profile and social apps that allow "frictionless sharing," Facebook has also been working on improving its offerings for advertisers, as it tries to generate enough revenue to justify its alleged $60 billion market value. In a nutshell, the giant social network is trying to convince advertisers to pay more attention to the engagement that their users and customers have with their brands when they are on the site, rather than simply counting click-throughs from ads and links. It?s a message that suits Facebook?s interests, but will advertisers bite? http://www.businessweek.com/technology/can-facebook-persuade-advertisers-to-forget-about-clicks-10072011.html ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** Ten technology facts about the London Olympics Billions have been invested in an attempt to make sure the London games run smoothly. Atos, one of the tech firms providing the huge power, communications and computing and infrastructure that will be crucial to the games' success has compiled a list of ten technology facts: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/8827872/Ten-technology-facts-about-the-London-Olympics.html ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* Parents' Porn Fears Exaggerated, Experts Say Access to online pornography is changing the way young people learn about sex, a trend that has many parents worried. But German experts believe many of their fears are unfounded. Instead of trying to prevent porn consumption, parents should focus on teaching healthy sexual values, they say. http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,790266,00.html uk: UK media regulators launch parents? website [news release] UK media regulators joined forces today to launch ParentPort, a new website aimed at helping parents make their views heard on issues relating to inappropriate programmes, adverts, products and services. http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2011/10/11/uk-media-regulators-launch-parents-website/ ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Google Seeking Agreements With Music Labels Google Inc. is seeking agreements with record companies by the end of the month to start a music store that will compete with Apple Inc.'s iTunes, three people with knowledge of the talks said. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-13/google-said-to-seek-rights-by-month-s-end-to-start-music-store.html Google Said to Be Planning an MP3 Store Five months after it introduced a cloud music service with limited capabilities, Google is in negotiations with the major record labels to expand that service and also open an MP3 store that would compete with Apple and Amazon. http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/google-said-to-be-planning-an-mp3-store/ ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** One in six mobile phones contain E coli One in six UK mobile phones are contaminated with faecal bacteria due to poor personal hygiene, scientists have found. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/13/mobile-phones-uk-e-coli One in six mobile phones 'contains e. coli' One in six British mobile phones contains traces of E. coli because people are too lax about washing their hands, a study has found. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8824568/One-in-six-mobile-phones-contains-e.-coli.html Britain?s Mobile Purchases to Reach $30.5 Billion by 2021, Barclays Says British consumers will spend ?19.3 billion ($30.5 billion) by 2021 on purchases using their mobile phones as technology advances and more people have smartphones, Barclays Corporate estimated. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-16/mobile-purchases-to-reach-30-5-billion-by-2021-barclays-says.html au: Buyers dodge court's Samsung tablet ban Australians are making a mockery of a Federal Court injunction banning the sale of Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets in Australia by ordering them from online stores. http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/tablets/buyers-dodge-courts-samsung-tablet-ban-20111017-1lsdg.html http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/tablets/buyers-dodge-courts-samsung-tablet-ban-20111017-1lsdg.html Apple hits Samsung in court again Samsung's tablets infringe patents owned by Apple, a US judge has ruled. However, she warned that Apple needs to prove the validity of those patents if it is to win an injunction preventing the sale of Samsung's Galaxy Tab. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15305448 Samsung loses Dutch bid to ban Apple products A Dutch court on Friday turned down Samsung Electronics' request for an injunction against all of Apple's mobile products that use 3G telecommunications technology, denying it revenge over a similar move by Apple. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/10/14/oukin-uk-apple-samsung-idUKTRE79D3AD20111014 http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/10/14/idINIndia-59899420111014 Google to gain from growing mobile focus - analysts Analysts cheered Google Inc's quarterly results and set a target of as much as $720 on the stock -- suggesting a near 30 percent rise from current levels -- and said the Internet search giant could emerge a "top mobile play." http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/10/14/oukin-uk-google-research-idUKTRE79D1OL20111014 Shareholders put pressure on BlackBerry chiefs to sell up The board of Research In Motion (RIM), the Canadian company behind BlackBerry, was under renewed pressure this evening to oust the company's co-chief executives and prepare the group for a sale, merger or breakup. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/oct/12/blackberry-chiefs-under-pressure For BlackBerry Maker, Crisis Mounts Research In Motion Ltd. scrambled to restore service to millions of BlackBerry users around the world Wednesday as the company's worst-ever outage vexed office workers, government officials, emergency responders and others who rely on the messaging device. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203914304576626451110144140.html Internet of things will have 24 billion devices by 2020 There are 9 billion connected devices at present and by 2020 that number is going to explode to 24 billion devices, according to new statistics released by GSMA. The total number of mobile connected devices doubles from 6 billion today to 12 billion by 2020. http://gigaom.com/cloud/internet-of-things-will-have-24-billion-devices-by-2020/ Mobile Data Traffic Doubled in Past 12 Months Thanks to our obsession with our iPhones, Android devices and iPads, the demand for mobile data is exploding. Data from Ericsson, which makes a majority of its money by selling hardware to mobile phone companies, shows that from the second quarter of 2010 to the second quarter of 2011, mobile data traffic more than doubled. http://gigaom.com/broadband/mobile-data-traffic-doubled-in-past-12-months/ http://www.nytimes.com/external/gigaom/2011/10/13/13gigaom-mobile-data-traffic-doubled-in-past-12-months-30832.html ********************** SPAM ********************** Spam messages are down, but stay vigilant In a bi-annual security analysis, spam messages are down, but no one should start breathing any easier. http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/13/8304494-spam-messages-are-down-but-stay-vigilant Microsoft Security Intelligence Report Puts ?Zero-Day? Threat Into Context, Highlights Manageability of Threat Landscape [news release] At RSA Conference Europe 2011 today, Microsoft Corp. released the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report volume 11 (SIRv11), which found that less than 1 percent of exploits in the first half of 2011 were against zero-day vulnerabilities ? software vulnerabilities that are successfully exploited before the vendor has published a security update or ?patch.? In contrast, 99 percent of all attacks during the same period distributed malware through familiar techniques, such as social engineering and unpatched vulnerabilities. In the report, Microsoft highlights the fact that some of the more common threats can be mitigated through good security best practices. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2011/oct11/10-11SIRZeroPR.mspx ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** How an email hacker ruined my life and then tried to sell it back to me Rowenna Davis tells how her identity was held hostage by an email hacker who wanted ?500 to let her back into her account ? and explains how it felt worse than daylight robbery http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/oct/16/email-hacker-identity-rowenna-davis Germans Condemn Police Use of Spyware A group that calls itself the Chaos Computer Club prompted a public outcry here recently when it discovered that German state investigators were using spying software capable of turning a computer?s webcam and microphone into a sophisticated surveillance device. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/15/world/europe/uproar-in-germany-on-police-use-of-surveillance-software.html Ein spy: is the German government using a trojan to watch its citizens? On October 8, Berlin?s hacking collective the Chaos Computer Club (CCC) announced it had analysed a piece of software it believed had been written by the German Government. http://theconversation.edu.au/ein-spy-is-the-german-government-using-a-trojan-to-watch-its-citizens-3765 nz: Police neither confirm nor deny using electronic hacking methods Remote gathering of evidence by covert access to a suspect?s computer is not in the same legally ambiguous territory as currently controversial covert video surveillance, say police ? it is currently illegal; but nonetheless they decline to confirm or deny that they are doing it. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/police-neither-confirm-nor-deny-using-electronic-hacking-methods US companies pushed to disclose cyberattacks [IDG] Public companies may need to look more closely at their exposure to cyberattacks after new guidelines were released this week by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/101411-us-companies-pushed-to-disclose-252020.html Thousands of NZ computers infected by malware [APNZ] Enough New Zealand computers are infected by malicious software to put one in every house in Hamilton, a survey has found. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10759106 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/compute/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501832&objectid=10759106 ZOMBIE COMPUTERS! Or, 55,000 compromised computers in NZ Now that we?ve got your attention... A Statistics New Zealand national ISP survey showed that about 55,000 New Zealand computers were compromised, independent cyber safety watch dog Netsafe said today. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/zombie-computers-or-55000-compromised-computers-nz-aw-102521 More than 50,000 NZ computers infected by malware Enough New Zealand computers are infected by malicious software to put one in every house in Hamilton, a survey has found. http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/182352/more-50000-nz-computers-infected-malware au: AFP survey combats identity theft The minister for home affairs and justice, Brendan O?Connor, has launched an online survey that lets people test how vulnerable they are identity crime and provides measures to help protect them from identity fraudsters and scammers. The launch coincides with National Identity Fraud Awareness Week. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/404327/afp_survey_combats_identity_theft/ Media Release: AFP urges public to protect themselves against identity fraud [news release] The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has today released an identity fraud awareness survey aimed at empowering members of the Australian public to protect themselves from the serious consequences of identity crime. http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/news/afp/2011/october/media-release-afp-urges-public-to-protect-themselves-against-identity-fraud.aspx Microsoft and Mozilla Browser Security Fight: They're Both Wrong Microsoft and Mozilla have been engaged in taunting each other over whose browser is more secure. They can taunt all they want; here's why both companies are likely wrong. http://www.pcworld.com/article/241899/microsoft_and_mozilla_browser_security_fight_theyre_both_wrong.html Mozilla bashes Microsoft's browser security test Mozilla has responded to Microsoft's new browser security test with jabs against Internet Explorer (IE). http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9220824/Mozilla_bashes_Microsoft_s_browser_security_test http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/404103/mozilla_bashes_microsoft_browser_security_test/ ********************** PRIVACY ********************** Current Developments in Privacy Frameworks: Towards Global Interoperability - Conference held at the HILTON MEXICO CITY REFORMA: Privacy frameworks around the world are in flux. Three of the primary frameworks with an international dimension (OECD, European Union, and Council of Europe) are currently under review, and a fourth (APEC) is developing new cross-border implementation arrangements. http://www.oecd.org/document/23/0,3746,en_2649_37441_48443927_1_1_1_37441,00.html Verizon now tracks and shares Web surfing, location, app usage Verizon Wireless has made a change in its privacy policy that clears the nation's largest wireless carrier to track its subscribers' Web browsing, location and app usage habits. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/10/verizon-now-tracking-web-browsing-habits-to-target-mobile-ads.html Berners-Lee: Personal clouds could offset privacy risks By setting up cloud-based storage for their own data, people could control better how much of their information is publicly available to businesses that 'scrape' web services, Sir Tim Berners-Lee has suggested http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security-management/2011/10/14/berners-lee-personal-clouds-could-offset-privacy-risks-40094193/ us: Lawmakers disagree on need for online privacy legislation [IDG] While representatives of the online advertising industry questioned whether new laws are needed to protect consumer privacy online, several U.S. lawmakers on Thursday called for new regulations targeting online tracking. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9220829/Lawmakers_disagree_on_need_for_online_privacy_legislation Online privacy just an illusion? The US government used secret court orders to force Google and small internet provider Sonic.net to hand over information from the email accounts of WikiLeaks volunteer Jacob Appelbaum. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/government/online-privacy-just-an-illusion/story-fn4htb9o-1226166941465 ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** China regulator looks to tighten grip on microblogs A Chinese Internet regulator on Thursday called for stricter policing of the nation's microblogs while also encouraging officials to use them to engage with citizens, state news agency Xinhua reported. http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/10/13/idINIndia-59880620111013 http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/10/13/oukin-uk-china-internet-idUKTRE79C54F20111013 Court Orders French Cop-Watching Site Blocked A court here has ruled that French Internet service providers must block access to a Web site that shows pictures and videos of police officers arresting suspects, taunting protesters and allegedly committing acts of violence against members of ethnic minorities. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/17/technology/court-orders-french-cop-watching-site-blocked.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** US investigates Google tax strategies US tax authorities are investigating the strategies used by Google to cut its tax bill by about $1bn (?635m) a year by funnelling profits from the US and Europe to subsidiaries with low tax rates. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/oct/14/us-investigates-google-tax-strategies uk: Berners-Lee hits out at regulation of the web Inventor of the world wide web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, has warned the coalition government to "be careful" if it is considering any future regulation of the web, restating his opposition to the Digital Economy Act. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2117121/berners-lee-hits-regulation-web Berners-Lee: Wipo web-patent remark 'unimaginative' Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee has criticised an "uninformed" and "unimaginative" remark made by the head of Wipo, who suggested the web should have been patented to gain more initial investment. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/security-bullet-in-10000166/berners-lee-wipo-web-patent-remark-unimaginative-10024561/ ACCC appeals Google court ruling The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has filed an appeal against a Federal Court decision that ruled in Google?s favour over advertisements in the internet giant?s search results. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/404183/accc_appeals_google_court_ruling/ ACCC appeals Google decision [news release] The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has filed an appeal against the recent decision by Justice Nicholas of the Federal Court in relation to certain advertisements appearing on Google?s website. http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1012421/fromItemId/142 au: Federal government quietly changes copyright document The Attorney?s General Department (AGD) has made unannounced changes to its latest discussion paper on copyright, removing a proposal for a streamlined process for copyright owners to access user details from ISPs for legal reasons http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/404331/federal_government_quietly_changes_copyright_document/ nz: Did Labour make a mis-step in supporting the Copyright Act? In the second part of Computerworld's Q and A interview with Labour ICT spokesperson MP Clare Curran, she discusses the Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Act, open government and raising the profile of ICT. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/did-labour-make-a-mis-step-in-supporting-the-copyright-act nz: Labour reveals 'radical' internet ideas Labour would investigate making New Zealand music, TV shows and music available on an online platform funded through a small copyright levy on internet access, if it forms the next government. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/5797885/Labour-reveals-radical-internet-ideas http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/5794027/Labour-reveals-radical-internet-ideas nz: Labour targets web monopoly Labour says New Zealand needs a single competition regulator across the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors to prevent dominant broadcasters including Sky TV gaining a stranglehold on emerging internet TV. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/connect/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501833&objectid=10759508 nz: Labour's single watchdog plan a potential worry for Sky TV In its information, communication and technology (ICT) policy released today, Labour has backed off the strong language about tearing up Crown Fibre contracts without compensation for companies that won deals under the $1.35 billion Ultrafast Broadband (UFB) initiative (Telecom, Northpower, Wel and Enable). http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/labours-single-watchdog-plan-potential-worry-sky-tv-analyst-ck-102577 nz: Labour unveils ICT policy Labour would remove the controversial ?three-strikes? internet account suspension clause of the Copyright Act within 90 days of taking office, according to a wide-ranging pre-election ICT policy statement. Labour also promises a new Copyright Bill within 18 months, a single regulatory body for broadcasting and telecommunications, and an independent review of the Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) rollout. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/labour-unveils-ict-policy NZ Labour reveals ICT manifesto A tax on internet use, the removal of the current "three strikes" Copyright Act, plus targets for the use of open source within government form part of a range of ICT policies announced by the opposition Labour Party in New Zealand. http://www.zdnet.com.au/nz-labour-reveals-ict-manifesto-339324411.htm nz: Vision needed from politicians on broadband OPINION: Internetnz's sales pitch for its pre-election debate on ICT policy in Wellington tomorrow may cause a few eyes to glaze over. The non-profit society hopes to set the agenda with a discussion paper, Future: Digital, that trots out the usual cliches. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/5793878/Vision-needed-from-politicians-on-broadband nz: Labour sets out ICT policy With 40 days to go until the general election, the Labour party has set out its ICT policy, naming seven key points it says will drive our economy forward. http://www.techday.co.nz/itbrief/news/labour-sets-out-ict-policy/21294/ ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Google makes advances in battle with Facebook Google defied the global economic slowdown last night by posting a 26% rise in net profits for the last quarter. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/oct/14/google-advances-battle-with-facebook Google Posts Strong Earnings and Exceeds Expectations Google showed on Thursday that it was making money from people searching online with their mobile devices, providing evidence that it could follow users wherever they searched the Web. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/14/technology/google-reports-strong-earnings-topping-expectations.html Google In China 2.0: New Strategy Avoids Censorship Showdown Some 18 months after clashing with Beijing authorities, Google seems to have found a major new way to break through in China. Not only does it avoid web censorship dilemma, its new strategy opens an opportunity for Google to capture the booming online advertising market. http://worldcrunch.com/google-china-20-new-strategy-avoids-censorship-showdown/3859 Inventor of C Computer Language Dies [sub req'd] Dennis Ritchie, who invented C, the computer programming language that underlies the Unix operating system, Microsoft Windows and much of the software running on computers around the world, died at 70. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204774604576629354123067080.html ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** EU plan to spend billions on boosting broadband speeds The European Commission is set to propose investing almost ?9.2bn in a massive rollout of super-fast broadband infrastructure and services across the European Union. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15320628 nz: Telecom's fourth legal settlement this year A $31.6 million payout announced yesterday marks the fourth legal settlement for Telecom this year as it clears the decks ahead of next month's historic split. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/5787996/Telecoms-fourth-legal-settlement-this-year nz: Opinion: Counting down to the break-up of Telecom The deconstruction of Telecom is nearly complete. If the vote at Telecom?s annual general meeting on October 26 goes ahead as planned, Telecom will split into two new businesses, under a new operating model, leading to a new telecommunications industry structure. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/opinion-counting-down-to-the-break-up-of-telecom +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2011 ------ David Goldstein email: david at 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 Mon Oct 17 2011 - 01:25:13 UTC
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