[DNS] auDA domain name news - 25 April

From: David Goldstein <david> Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:57:13 +1000 · This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.0 : Sat Sep 09 2017 - 22:00:11 UTC

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The domain name news is supported by auDA

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Proposed Final 2013 RAA
<http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/proposed-raa-22apr13-en.htm>

New registrar deal to bring big changes to the domain name industry
<http://domainincite.com/12736-new-registrar-deal-to-bring-big-changes-to-the-domain-name-industry>

Could this be ICANN?s most important public comment period ever?
<http://domainincite.com/12756-could-this-be-icanns-most-important-public-comment-period-ever>

Individuals Share of .FR Domain Names Approaches 40%
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/04/23/individuals-share-fr-40/>

UH Law Center professor sees Internet domain name expansion as major test [news release]
<http://www.law.uh.edu/news/spring2013/0422Lipton.asp>

Who Should Own '.Patagonia?' What the fight between a sports gear company and a South American nation says about Internet governance today.
<http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/04/who-should-own-patagonia/275214/>

Disputes Lodged With National Arbitration Forum Fall Per Domain; New Cheaper, Faster URS Launched
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/04/24/disputes-fall-per-domain/>

New Domain Name Association names interim board
<http://domainincite.com/12774-new-domain-name-association-names-interim-board>

Akamai Releases Fourth Quarter 2012 'State of the Internet' Report
<http://www.akamai.com/html/about/press/releases/2013/press_042313.html>

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GOVERNANCE
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us: Can Congress stop looming Internet censorship?
The House is pushing forward in an effort to block a United Nations-related group from potentially allowing countries to censor the Internet, before an international showdown this fall.
<http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2013/04/congress-pushes-for-internet-freedom-as-un-showdown-looms/>
<http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/Congress_bill_to_stop_Internet_censorship.html>

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DOMAIN NAMES
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 - ICANN
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Proposed Final 2013 RAA
Purpose (Brief): ICANN is seeking public comments on the Proposed Final 2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA). This is the culmination of 18 months of intensive negotiations.
<http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/proposed-raa-22apr13-en.htm>

One Last Look at the RAA by Cyrus Namazi
We are there. As a result of sincere and constructive negotiations that have gone on for nearly 18 months, a new 2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement is in our hands. All remaining differences have been settled and ICANN and the members of the Registrar Negotiating Team have achieved an agreement on all issues.
<http://blog.icann.org/2013/04/one-last-look-at-the-raa/>

New gTLD Board Committee Consideration of GAC Safeguard Advice
Purpose (Brief): To solicit input on how the New gTLD Board Committee should address GAC advice regarding safeguards applicable to broad categories of New gTLD strings.
<http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/gac-safeguard-advice-23apr13-en.htm>

New registrar deal to bring big changes to the domain name industry
Big changes are coming to Whois, privacy services and resellers, among other things, under the terms of a newly agreed contract between domain name registrars and ICANN.
<http://domainincite.com/12736-new-registrar-deal-to-bring-big-changes-to-the-domain-name-industry>

Could this be ICANN?s most important public comment period ever?
How much power should governments have over the domain name industry? Should the industry be held responsible for the actions of its customers? Are domain names the way to stop crime?
<http://domainincite.com/12756-could-this-be-icanns-most-important-public-comment-period-ever>

ICANN will now be able to suspend domain name registrars
[Well, looks like ICANN actually had a similar provision in its 2009 RAA, just in a different section. Sorry about that.] One of the big improvements in the proposed 2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) over the 2009 version is the ability for ICANN to suspend registrars.
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/04/24/icann-will-now-be-able-to-suspend-domain-name-registrars/>

What the new RAA means for YOU, the domain registrant
Late yesterday ICANN published the proposed ?final? new Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) for public comment. The update RAA will have an impact on how you register domain names.
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/04/23/what-the-new-raa-means-for-you-the-domain-registrant/>

Coming this year: the biggest domain registrar phishing attack ever
The proposed new registration accreditation agreement satisfies a law enforcement requirement of verifying whois information when someone registers a domain name.
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/04/23/coming-this-year-the-biggest-domain-registrar-phishing-attack-ever/>

Three registrars rapped for not paying ICANN fees
ICANN has sent compliance notices to three registrars for allegedly not paying their dues.
<http://domainincite.com/12754-three-registrars-rapped-for-not-paying-icann-fees>

ICANN Sends Out Notices Of Breach Due To 3 Domain Registrars
ICANN send three registrars Notices Of Breach Of the Registrar Accreditation Agreement
<http://www.thedomains.com/2013/04/24/icann-sends-out-notices-of-breach-due-to-3-domain-registrars/>

ICANN Opens Comment Period On GAC Advice For New gTLD?s
ICANN just opened a comment period to get input on a portion of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) Beijing Communiqu? in which it provided advice on New gTLDs.
<http://www.thedomains.com/2013/04/24/icann-opens-comment-period-on-gac-advice-for-new-gtlds/>

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 - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
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Removal of the .AN ccTLD starts this year
The University of the Netherlands Antilles (UNA), the administrator of .AN domains, will commence the removal of .AN domain names from their databases and systems on October 31, 2013. One year later, on October 31, 2014, .AN will be excluded from the DNS root server.
<http://www.brandshelter.com/english/home/index.php?article_id=49&clang=1&id=255>

DNS Belgium investigates outage on 25th March 2013
On Monday 25th March, the .be registration system suffered an outage as the result of an Oracle Database issue. This meant that DAS and WHOIS requests ceased working. We are currently investigating the problem with Oracle.
<http://dns.be/en/dns-belgium-investigates-outage-on-25th-march-2013>

Brazil plans internet exchange to reduce access prices
Brazil wants to install an international internet exchange to reduce costs for operators and end-users.
<http://www.telecompaper.com/news/brazil-plans-internet-exchange-to-reduce-access-prices--939180>

Montreal Internet Exchange Launches IXP in Quebec to Bring Faster Internet to Canadians
The Montreal Internet Exchange this week launched the first Quebec Internet Exchange Point, which will bring faster Internet to users across the province.
<http://www.techvibes.com/blog/montreal-internet-exchange-ixp-qix-2013-04-24>

New Internet Exchange Point Launches in Quebec
The first Internet Exchange Point in Quebec is launching in Quebec, designed to bring faster Internet services to users across the province.
<http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/news/new-internet-exchange-point-launches-in-quebec/1002249056/>

New Internet Exchange Point hopes to speed up Quebec's digital highway
If you live in Quebec and happen to notice a slight improvement in your internet service, it may be due to the launch of the province?s first Internet Exchange Point (IXP) today.
<http://www.cartt.ca/news/15451/Cable-Telecom/New-Internet-Exchange-Point-hopes-to-speed-up-Quebec-s-digital-highway.html>

Individuals Share of .FR Domain Names Approaches 40%
Almost two in five (39%) .fr domain names are registered by individuals as of the end of February 2013, and they are responsible for almost half (47.6%) of all new registrations, the latest French Domain Name Industry Report from the .fr registry AFNIC has found.
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/04/23/individuals-share-fr-40/>

Almost 40% of .fr domain names are held by private individuals
The April issue of the Industry Report is dedicated to the individual and corporate holders of domain names under the .fr TLD. Facts highlighted include the following: In February 2013, almost 40% of the domain names under the .fr TLD were held by individuals, a figure which has doubled in 6 years ? individuals only represented 20.7% in January 2007;
<http://www.afnic.fr/en/about-afnic/news/general-news/6876/show/almost-40-of-fr-domain-names-are-held-by-private-individuals.html>

Afilias blames security crackdown for massive drop in .info domains
Afilias says a new anti-abuse policy is responsible for .info losing almost a million domains in 2012.
<http://domainincite.com/12744-afilias-blames-security-crackdown-for-massive-drop-in-info-domains>

Nigeria Slashes Cost Of Domain Name Registration
Due to massive usage of local domain names, Nigeria has slashed the cost of its DotNG Internet domain registration fee from N200,000 ($1,259) to N15,000 ($94), which translates to approximately 93 percent price decrease.
<http://www.ventures-africa.com/2013/04/nigeria-slash-cost-of-domain-name-registration-by-75/>

.PW Off To Solid Start With 50,000 Registrations In 3 Weeks
The relaunched .pw ccTLD has got off to a solid start as a ?generic? TLD with 50,000 registrations in the three weeks since the beginning of its General Availability phase.
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/04/24/pw-50000-registrations-3-weeks/>
<http://www.domainnews.com/en/pw-off-to-solid-start-with-50000-registrations-in-3-weeks.html>

.pw claims 50,000 domains registered in three weeks
Directi?s recently relaunched .pw TLD has racked up 50,000 domain name registrations after just three weeks of general availability, according to the company.
<http://domainincite.com/12750-pw-claims-50000-domains-registered-in-three-weeks>

.PW Crosses 50,000 Domain Registrations In 3 Weeks
The .PW Registry today announced that more than 50,000 .PW domain names were registered in just 3 weeks since the beginning of its General Availability phase.
<http://registry.pw/pw-crosses-fiftythousand-domains/>

Early .PW Registrations Exceeding Expectations - Visa Gives .ME High Visibility - NAF Reports Drop in UDRP Cases 
When the .PW Registry began taking orders for .PW registrations from the general public March 25, 2013, CEO Bhavin Turakhia was hoping the re-launched TLD could reach 100,000 registrations within a year. Looks like they will hit that mark well ahead of schedule. The .PW Registry reported today that 50,000 .PW domains have been registered in the three weeks since it became open to all.
<http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2013/dailyposts/20130423.htm>

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 - NEW TLDS
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UH Law Center professor sees Internet domain name expansion as major test [news release]
This summer, a number of new domain names will likely start appearing on the Web. Generic names such as .apple, .home, .app, .vegas or .music could join such stalwarts as .com, .net and .org. ICANN ... has been considering the expansion for several years. University of Houston Law Center professor Jacqueline D. Lipton spoke on the topic last weekend at the Second Annual International Intellectual Property Law Scholar's Roundtable at the University of San Diego. Lipton sees the new system as a significant test in the development of innovative systems for global governance of commerce and free speech.
<http://www.law.uh.edu/news/spring2013/0422Lipton.asp>

Who Should Own '.Patagonia?' What the fight between a sports gear company and a South American nation says about Internet governance today.
Argentina's "territory" is under threat -- both physically and virtually -- according to its president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. Not only did the residents of the Falkland Islands (or Islas Malvinas) vote overwhelmingly to remain part of Great Britain, but Patagonia, Inc. (the outdoor apparel company) has laid claim to the .patagonia Internet domain.
<http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/04/who-should-own-patagonia/275214/>

Top Level Domain aims to launch five new Internet domains this year [Dow Jones]
Top Level Domain Holdings Ltd. is hoping to launch five new Internet address endings, known as TLDs, by the end of this year, it said Wednesday.
<http://www.totaltele.com/view.aspx?C=4&ID=480822>

GAC Advice leads to TLDH withdrawing four new TLD applications
Top Level Domain Holdings, a publicly traded pure play applicant for new TLDs, plans to withdraw four of its TLD applications after receiving government advice.
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/04/24/gac-advice-leads-to-tldh-withdrawing-four-new-tld-applications/>

Deadbeat registrar is also a massive new gTLD applicant
One of the latest three registrars to receive ICANN contract breach notices is also a new gTLD applicant involved in four applications, a helpful reader has pointed out.
<http://domainincite.com/12769-deadbeat-registrar-is-also-a-massive-new-gtld-applicant>

Your government needs you? to have your say on gTLD safeguards
Last night ICANN opened a public comment period ? which closes on May 15 ? to solicit input on how the GAC advice regarding additional safeguards applicable to broad categories of new gTLD strings should be addressed.
<http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=9375d455-cddf-40b2-9435-5cbc5e91c1f3>

Will thousands of new top level domains change the internet? by Christine Haight Farley, a professor of law at American University Washington College of Law who teaches and writes about intellectual property law.
The process of introducing new gTLDs is already underway. GTLDs are the suffixes at the end of web addresses, such as .com, .org and .net. We could have as many as 1,400 new gTLDs sometime this year. While the gTLDs may be "just code" - a set of internet protocols authorised by ICANN - this development could radically change the architecture of the internet.
<http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/04/201342312710292956.html>

The new TLD Trademark Clearinghouse is about to get a lot of attention
The TMCH phase of new TLDs is here. Which companies should participate, and how should they approach online brand protection in the coming years?
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/04/22/trademark-clearinghouse/>

gTLD Contention Auction in May: Request for Comments by Sheel Mohnot
Many gTLD applicants with strings in contention have already heard about the Applicant Auction, a voluntary private auction for resolving string contention that my colleagues and I are organizing. In this post we'd like to share some updates on our progress. Most importantly, we realized that more than just an escrow agent is needed for the success of a private auction of this scale, and we have partnered with Morrison & Foerster, LLP, a global law firm, who will be acting as the neutral party for our auctions.
<http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130422_first_gtld_contention_auction_to_take_place_in_may/>

Why Donuts Should Win All Wine New gTLD Applications by Jean Guillon
There are 2 reasons why Donuts, applicant for more than 300 TLDs, should become the official Registry for wine applications. It is not because of the content of its application: There are 3 applicants in total and all of them followed the rules provided by ICANN in its applicant guidebook. It is not because they protect the wine industry: the Applicant Guidebook did not "force" applicants to do so. It is not because they are American: there are also very good wines in Gibraltar and Ireland. In Gibraltar in particular.
<http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130422_why_donuts_should_win_all_wine_new_gtld_applications/>

ICANN Opens Comment Period On GAC Advice For New gTLD?s
ICANN just opened a comment period to get input on a portion of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) Beijing Communiqu? in which it provided advice on New gTLDs.
<http://www.thedomains.com/2013/04/24/icann-opens-comment-period-on-gac-advice-for-new-gtlds/>

TLDH Withdrawing 4 New gTLD Applications: .Free; .Sale; .Spa; .Zulu
According to a press release we received this morning, The Board of Directors of Top Level Domain Holdings issued an update to its new gTLD application with the biggest news out of the release is that it is withdrawing 4 of its new gTLD application.
<http://www.thedomains.com/2013/04/24/tldh-withdrawing-4-new-gtld-applications-free-sale-spa-zulu/>

eNom Collects More Than 2 Million Expressions Of Interest on New gTLD?s
According to enom.com its ?New TLD Watchlist module has collected more than two million expressions of interest for domains to be registered with the new TLDs, in just nine months.
<http://www.thedomains.com/2013/04/24/enom-collects-more-than-2-million-expressions-of-interest-on-new-gtlds/>

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 - DNS SECURITY
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U.S. and China Put Focus on Cybersecurity
The United States and China held their highest-level military talks in nearly two years on Monday, with a senior Chinese general pledging to work with the United States on cybersecurity because the consequences of a major cyberattack ?may be as serious as a nuclear bomb.?
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/23/world/asia/united-states-and-china-hold-military-talks-with-cybersecurity-a-focus.html>

The Year in Hacking, by the Numbers
Security experts like to say that there are now only two types of companies left in the United States: those that have been hacked and those that don?t know they?ve been hacked.
<http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/22/the-year-in-hacking-by-the-numbers/>

China: Cyberattacks Are Like Nuclear Bombs
Cyberattacks could be "as serious as a nuclear bomb," according to a top Chinese general, who rejected suggestions that the Chinese military is behind cyberspying aimed at Western companies.
<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323551004578438842382520654.html>

us: Editorial: Government, private sector must team up to fight cyberthreats
The house passed a new cybersecurity bill on Thursday, and the accompanying report emphasizes what many corporate and government experts know only too well. ?A number of advanced nation-state actors are actively engaged in a series of wide-ranging, aggressive efforts to penetrate American computer systems and networks? and ?these efforts are targeted not only at sensitive national security and infrastructure information but are also often aimed at stealing corporate research and development information that forms the very lifeblood of the American economy.? The report called it nothing less than ?pillage.?
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/government-private-sector-must-team-up-to-fight-cyberthreats/2013/04/21/0b3b80fc-a913-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_story.html>

One in five data breaches are the result of cyberespionage, Verizon says [IDG]
Even though the majority of data breaches continue to be the result of financially motivated cybercriminal attacks, cyberespionage activities are also responsible for a significant number of data theft incidents, according to a report that will be released Tuesday by Verizon.
<http://www.cio.com/article/732200/One_in_five_data_breaches_are_the_result_of_cyberespionage_Verizon_says>

Vast majority of global cyber-espionage emanates from China, report finds
Analyses of hundreds of documented data breaches found that hackers affiliated with the Chinese government were by far the most energetic and successful cyberspies in the world last year, according to a report to be issued Tuesday by government and industry investigators.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/vast-majority-of-global-cyber-espionage-emanates-from-china-report-finds/2013/04/22/61f52486-ab5f-11e2-b6fd-ba6f5f26d70e_story.html>

us: DHS use of deep packet inspection technology in new net security system raises serious privacy questions
To protect the federal civilian agencies against cyberthreats, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing to deploy a more powerful version of its EINSTEIN intrusion-detection system thats supposed to detect attacks and malware, especially associated with e-mail. But since this version of EINSTEIN is acknowledged by DHS to be able to read electronic content, its raising privacy concerns.
<http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/460070/dhs_use_deep_packet_inspection_technology_new_net_security_system_raises_serious_privacy_questions/>

Report: DDoS Attacks Getting Bigger, Faster Than Ever
DDoS attacks are steadily increasing in size and speed, creating new problems for enterprise defenses, according to a study published today.
<http://www.darkreading.com/perimeter/report-ddos-attacks-getting-bigger-faste/240153399>

Obama Confirms Top Secret Cybersecurity Policy Directive 20
The Obama Administration announced on Tuesday it has confirmed Presidential Policy Directive 20, a new initiative that will lay out a classified national policy for responding to attacks on the US national computing infrastructure.
<http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/obama-confirms-top-secret-cybersecurity-policy-directive-20>

U.S. gives big, secret push to Internet surveillance
Justice Department agreed to issue "2511 letters" immunizing AT&T and other companies participating in a cybersecurity program from criminal prosecution under the Wiretap Act, according to new documents obtained by the Electronic Privacy Information Center.
<http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57581161-38/u.s-gives-big-secret-push-to-internet-surveillance/>

A third of NZ's top employers back Netsafe on cybersecurity week
New Zealand?s first cybersecurity awareness week (CSAW) has gained support from 34 of New Zealand?s top 100 employers, who are working in concert with online safety organisation Netsafe.
<http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/a-third-of-nzs-top-employers-back-netsafe-on-cybersecurity-week>

Cost of cyber attacks triples in a year
<http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bb3fcc90-ab4a-11e2-ac71-00144feabdc0.html>

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 - DOMAIN DISPUTES
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Disputes Lodged With National Arbitration Forum Fall Per Domain; New Cheaper, Faster URS Launched
The National Arbitration Forum (NAF) announced yesterday that domain name disputes lodged with it in 2012 passed 20,000 for the year, while the number of cases dropped to 2060 from the 2011 figure of 2082.
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/04/24/disputes-fall-per-domain/>
<http://www.domainnews.com/en/disputes-lodged-with-national-arbitration-forum-fall-per-domain-new-cheaper-faster-urs-launched.html>

Domain arbitration cases edge up slightly in 2012 ?but trail the growth in domain name registrations.
National Arbitration Forum (NAF) has released its official numbers for 2012 UDRP cases.
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/04/23/domain-arbitration-cases-edge-up-slightly-in-2012/>

National Arbitration Forum Prepares for Uniform Rapid Suspension System as 2012 UDRP Filings Hold Steady
The National Arbitration Forum (FORUM), an international provider of dispute resolution services, today announced that a total of 2,060 cases were filed in its domain name dispute resolution program in 2012, down 22 cases from the 2,082 it received in 2011.
<http://www.adrforum.com/newsroom.aspx?&itemID=1871&news=3>

NAF prices URS at $375 to $500 per case
The National Arbitration Forum has released its price list for Uniform Rapid Suspension complaints, saying that the cheapest case will cost $375.
<http://domainincite.com/12734-naf-prices-urs-at-375-to-500-per-case>

DomainSkate offers templated UDRP complaints for $399
The biggest cost of filing or responding to a UDRP isn?t paying fees to National Arbitration Forum or WIPO. It?s typically the lawyer?s fees that add up to the most.
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/04/23/domainskate-offers-templated-udrp-complaints-for-399/>

Internet squatters bank on domain names to profit from new licences
It is not certain if L&T Finance, Shriram City UnionBSE 1.06 % and Mahindra & Mahindra Financial will get a licence from the RBI to run a bank, but internet squatters are betting they will.
<http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/internet-squatters-bank-on-domain-names-to-profit-from-new-licences/articleshow/19691562.cms>

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 - MISCELLANEOUS
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New Domain Name Association names interim board
The formative Domain Name Association has started calling itself the Domain Name Association and is moving closer to a proper launch under the guidance of an interim board of directors.
<http://domainincite.com/12774-new-domain-name-association-names-interim-board>

Akamai Releases Fourth Quarter 2012 'State of the Internet' Report
Akamai Technologies, Inc., the leading cloud platform for helping enterprises provide secure, high-performing user experiences on any device, anywhere, today released its Fourth Quarter, 2012 State of the Internet Report. Based on data gathered from the Akamai Intelligent Platform?, the report provides insight into key global statistics including connection speeds, attack traffic, and network connectivity and availability, among many others.
<http://www.akamai.com/html/about/press/releases/2013/press_042313.html>

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 - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET
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Breathalyzer.com Breaks into the Year's Top 10 Sales - ccTLDs & Non .com gTLDs Also Land New YTD Top 10 Entries
The past week was a good one for domain sales as we saw a six-figure .com sale that ranks among the 10 biggest transactions reported so far this year, along with one of 2013's 10 biggest ccTLD sales and one its 10 best non .com gTLD sales.
<http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2013/20130424.htm>

T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Announces Show Plans Through 2015 - Florida Conference Will Move to New Venue Next Year + Domaining Spain Opens Thursday!
Just five weeks from now I'll be getting on a plane to Las Vegas for the first show T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Co-Founders Rick Schwartz and Howard Neu are running there since 2008 (Rick Latona staged a Las Vegas show under the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. banner in 2010 as part of a licensing agreement). In addition to the upcoming event May 29-June 1 at the Bellagio Hotel, Schwartz and Neu have laid out plans for the pioneering conference for the next two years.
<http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2013/dailyposts/20130422.htm>

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INTERNET USE
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Akamai Releases Fourth Quarter 2012 'State of the Internet' Report
Akamai Technologies, Inc., the leading cloud platform for helping enterprises provide secure, high-performing user experiences on any device, anywhere, today released its Fourth Quarter, 2012 State of the Internet Report. Based on data gathered from the Akamai Intelligent Platform?, the report provides insight into key global statistics including connection speeds, attack traffic, and network connectivity and availability, among many others.
<http://www.akamai.com/html/about/press/releases/2013/press_042313.html>

Australian internet speeds fall 23% [AAP]
Average internet speeds fell sharply in Australia during 2012, according to a new report that ranked the country 41 out of 98 nations for the pace of its online connections.
<http://www.theage.com.au/it-pro/government-it/australian-internet-speeds-fall-23-20130425-2igcs.html>
<http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/government-it/australian-internet-speeds-fall-23-20130425-2igcs.html>
<http://www.afr.com/p/technology/internet_speeds_drop_per_cent_lcpLkHsF6IEoN6TDPkJ6BN>

au: Australian Internet speeds drop: report
Average Internet connection speeds in Australia dropped 23 per cent year-on-year in 2012, according to a report by Akamai Technologies.
<http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/459968/australian_internet_speeds_drop_report/>

OECD rates NZ highly on broadband economy benefit
An OECD report that attempts to measure the benefit to the economy of the shift from dial-up to broadband internet access places New Zealand high in most of the league tables.
<http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/oecd-rates-nz-highly-on-broadband-economy-benefit>

au: CEOs slow to log in to industrial internet age [subscription]
SOME of the nation's most powerful business leaders are worried their companies are not making enough use of new technology to boost productivity, as the rise of the so-called "industrial internet" transforms the way firms use data to measure everything about their performance.
<http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/in-depth/ceos-slow-to-log-in-to-industrial-internet-age/story-fni4k1kl-1226628241936>

nz: Generation Net loneliest of all
The face of loneliness isn't a solitary pensioner - hyperconnected Millennials say they feel the most isolated of any age group.
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/8591570/Generation-Net-loneliest-of-all>
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/national-news/8591570/Generation-Net-loneliest-of-all>

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SOCIAL MEDIA
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German court: Facebook can keep its real name policy [IDG]
Facebook doesn?t have to allow nicknames on its platform and can keep its real name policy in Germany, the Administrative Court of Appeals of the State of Schleswig-Holstein said Tuesday.
<http://www.pcworld.com/article/2036190/facebook-can-keep-its-real-name-policy-german-appellate-court-decides.html>

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NEW TECHNOLOGIES
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Internet Pioneer Vint Cerf Imagines the Postal Service of the Future
You might expect someone who works at Google under the title "chief Internet evangelist" to be a willing author of an obituary for a legacy institution like the U.S. Postal Service.
<http://www.ecommercebytes.com/cab/abn/y13/m04/i24/s05>

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CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY
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ca: Ottawa homes in on cyberbullying laws
Ottawa wants officials to speed up their search for possible gaps in the laws governing the circulation of intimate images, as calls grow for the federal government to introduce new legislation targeting those who distribute sexually explicit images for malicious reasons.
<http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-homes-in-on-cyberbullying-laws/article11488998/>

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MOBILE/WIRELESS
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Apple blocks Google Motorola's sensor patent challenge
Google has failed in its latest attempt to convince a US trade agency that Apple has infringed its intellectual property.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22261886>

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ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL
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LulzSec arrest in Australia
Australian police have arrested a man they say is affiliated with the international hacking collective LulzSec on a charge of attacking and defacing a government website.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/apr/24/lulzsec-arrest-australia>

Australian police arrest senior member of LulzSec hacking group
Australian Federal Police have arrested the self-proclaimed leader of the international hacking group LulzSec, the collective that claimed responsibility for infiltrating and shutting down the CIA website.
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/04/24/uk-australia-lulzsec-arrest-idUKBRE93N01Y20130424>

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SECURITY
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U.S. and China Put Focus on Cybersecurity
The United States and China held their highest-level military talks in nearly two years on Monday, with a senior Chinese general pledging to work with the United States on cybersecurity because the consequences of a major cyberattack ?may be as serious as a nuclear bomb.?
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/23/world/asia/united-states-and-china-hold-military-talks-with-cybersecurity-a-focus.html>