Don't forget to check out http://auda.org.au/domain-news/ for today's edition
of the complete domain news, including an RSS feed - already online!
Headlines from the November 29 edition of the news include:
ICANN gets test results on internationalised domains | 6 week IDNwiki
report - user statistics by Tina Dam | An Important Step toward the
Implementation of IDN Top-Level Domains: New Versions of IDNA Protocol
Revision Proposals Posted | fr: The AFNIC proposes a new framework for
access to data concerning .fr domain names ("Whois data") | uk: Nominet
sees opportunities and risks | uk: Nominet plots one registry to rule
them all | Reputation of UK Brands Dramatically Affected by Phishing
Attacks according to Survey Commissioned by Cloudmark | uk: Phishing
affects consumer confidence| How Do You Tell a Domain Name From A Typo?
| UK headed for cyber 'cold war' | Attackers use search-engine
optimization to hijack prominent terms | au: Cyber spy force to shield
parliament | State Of Typosquatting (and How Google Benefits From It) |
Bodog Patent Case Gets Technical - are domain names property to be
asked in court | Dell Takes Cybersquatters to Court
And see my website - http://technewsreview.com.au/ - for daily updates in
between postings.
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The domain name news is supported by auDA
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Pondering the Politics of Private Procedures: The Case of ICANN by Jay P. Kesan
& Andres A. Gallo
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1028128
The emerging Internet governance mosaic: connecting the pieces by William H.
Dutton & Malcolm Peltu
http://www.internet-institute.ox.ac.uk/resources/publications/FD5.pdf
http://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/resources/publications/FD5.pdf
ICANN New Delhi meeting website online
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=3298
au: Many websites may be outside the law
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22818331-37574,00.html
Government of Barbados wins management of .BB domain
http://www.domainesinfo.fr/english/141/government-of-barbados-wins-management-of-bb-domain.php
Breizh: Breton domain name feasibility study
http://www.agencebretagnepresse.com/fetch.php?id=8753&title=Breizh:%20BRETON%20INTERNET%20DOMAIN%20STUDY
CENTR magazine Domain Wire now available online
https://www.centr.org/main/news/3692-CTR.html
.nz Newsletter - November 2007
http://dnc.org.nz/index.php?clsid=1&catid=34
Nominet releases first Domain name industry report
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=3300
UK ENUM project starts
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7107973.stm
Lapsed domain names 'bought in seconds'
http://www.pcw.co.uk/personal-computer-world/news/2204115/laosed-dommain-names-bought
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RESEARCH PAPERS
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Pondering the Politics of Private Procedures: The Case of ICANN by Jay P. Kesan
& Andres A. Gallo
Abstract: ... Among the results of our analysis we can highlight the following:
first, as a result of the reform process, the private sector consolidated its
political position in the ICANN structure, at least in the short run. With the
new Bylaws, the private sector retained some of the power they had before and
even gained more power. Among the winners of the reforms are: the GNSO
constituencies, which gained important power spaces in the new design, ASO
members, which had some gains, but more importantly, are still debating their
future with a possibly more expansive relationship with ICANN, and the ccNSO,
which were recognized as an independent Supporting Organization. Nonetheless,
the inside-out attempt to reform proved to be weak because it failed to bring
outside constituencies to the governance body and created opposition from the
international community.
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1028128
The emerging Internet governance mosaic: connecting the pieces by William H.
Dutton & Malcolm Peltu
Abstract: The report highlights key Internet governance issues raised in
relation to the authors' three-tier typology. The distinctive design and
governance characteristics that underpin the global Internet phenomenon are
then outlined, to indicate valuable governance lessons that can be built on.
The crucial need for balance in inherently political multi-stakeholder
processes is then addressed. This is assisted by an analytical framework for
understanding the dynamics underlying such processes, which involve outcomes
from decisions taken by many actors within overlapping and interacting policy
arenas. The conclusion recommends an approach to improving international
coordination of Internet governance activities.
http://www.internet-institute.ox.ac.uk/resources/publications/FD5.pdf
http://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/resources/publications/FD5.pdf
Gaining a Stake in Global Internet Governance: The EU, ICANN and Strategic Norm
Manipulation by George Christou & Seamus Simpson [sub req'd]
The global governance of the Internet and the influence that the EU is able to
exert in international governance institutions are two important topics that
this article brings together in the context of the EU's relationship with the
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), created in 1999 to
manage strategically valuable technical resources and functions of the
Internet. Employing Schimmelfennig's model of rational action in international
institutional contexts, the article explores how the EU acted to secure its
interests within an organizationally constrained environment. While ICANN was
formed through an essentially rationalist process where the EU accepted a less
than first-best outcome in return for a stake in its governance, a dialectical
relationship thereafter developed where the EU accepted and adapted ICANN's key
norms but also asserted its material interests through rhetorical action due to
its relatively weak position at
ICANN's inception.
http://ejc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/22/2/147
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DOMAIN NAMES
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**********************
- ICANN
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ICANN New Delhi meeting website online
ICANN have launched the website for their New Delhi meeting. The meeting, to be
held from February 10-15 2007, is to be hosted by the Department of Information
Technology, Government of India, as well as the National Internet Exchange of
India (NIXI). An outline of the agenda, information on hotels and the venue
along with registration are all available on the website at http://del.icann.org
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=3298
http://www.domainpulse.com/2007/11/22/icann-new-delhi-meeting-website-online/
ie: Food site cooks up a storm at Golden Spiders
... Meanwhile, Denis Jennings was awarded the Internet Hero gong on the night.
Jennings was involved in a strategic decision with the US National Science
Foundation that ultimately led to the creation of the internet as we know it
today. This year Jennings was nominated to the board of the Internet
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the first Irishman ever to
sit on the ICANN board.
http://www.enn.ie/article/10123488.html
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- (cc)TLD NEWS
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au: Many websites may be outside the law
Thousands of Australian businesses are unwittingly breaking copyright laws via
their websites, warns a Brisbane intellectual property law specialist.
McCullough Robertson partner Malcolm McBratney says recent developments in IP
law indicate businesses will be liable for infringements even if they're
unaware of them.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22818331-37574,00.html
Government of Barbados wins management of .BB domain
At ICANN's latest board meeting, a resolution was passed granting .BB, the
country code domain for Barbados, to the local government. According to the
official database listing ccTLD managers, the IANA, .BB's current operator is
the local office of Cable & Wireless.
http://www.domainesinfo.fr/english/141/government-of-barbados-wins-management-of-bb-domain.php
be: Code of conduct principles incorporated in the Registrar agreement [news
release]
The code of conduct for DNS BE registrars is no longer applicable. A number of
vital terms and conditions from the code of conduct have indeed been
incorporated in the latest version of the registrar agreement, that has been
signed by all registrars.
http://www.dns.be/en/home.php?n=411
Accented characters in .be (Belgium) domains
Characters with accents are to reportedly appear in domain names with the .be
country code. DNS Belgium, the operating body for the Internet address
extension, explains that the move is part of a progression towards IDNs.
http://www.melbourneitcbs.com/news.php?article=2&title=Accented%20characters%20in%20.be%20%28Belgium%29%20domains&year=2007&month=11
Breizh: Breton domain name feasibility study
A pre-feasibility study into adopting a Breton domain name - .bzh – is
currently being undertaken by Briezh. The organisation commissioned to
undertake the study, Breton Prospective, flew to Los Angeles for a meeting this
month with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), to
discuss how the .Bzh domain name would be created and what it would look like.
http://www.agencebretagnepresse.com/fetch.php?id=8753&title=Breizh:%20BRETON%20INTERNET%20DOMAIN%20STUDY
CENTR magazine Domain Wire now available online
The CENTR magazine Domain Wire is now available online. This issue contains an
overview of the Domain Name System, an update on the Internet Governance Forum
and everything you always wanted to know about Internationalised Domain Names.
https://www.centr.org/main/news/3692-CTR.html
.nz Newsletter - November 2007
The November 2007 .NZ newsletter is now available. It includes .nz domain name
statistics as at 31 October 2007 where the number of active .nz domain names
increased from 300,397 to 305,446, a net increase of 5,049. Other topics
covered include InternetNZ and ICANN in Exchange of Letters, consultation on
Internationalised Domain Names in .nz, a breakdown on statistics for .nz domain
registrations by 2LD and server availability.
http://dnc.org.nz/index.php?clsid=1&catid=34
UK ENUM project starts
When finished the UK's national Enum directory will make looking up net phone
numbers like finding a website. Initially the directory will target the UK's
net telephony networks so calls can cross between them more easily. But the
directories are expected to one day hold details of the many different ways
almost anyone can be contacted.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7107973.stm
Nominet releases first Domain name industry report
Nominet has released their first ‘Domain name industry report’. The key themes
examined in the report are: an analysis of global domain name statistics;
registrant statistics and trends within the UK and a close look at the UK
registrar market. The findings of the report show that the domain name industry
both globally and in the UK is healthy. The report demonstrates the extent of
the uptake of the Internet in the UK. It reveals areas of potential future
growth and gives pointers as to current trends in domain name registration and
the changing nature of the UK registrar market.
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=3300
http://www.domainnews.com/registries/2007112319/
http://www.domainpulse.com/2007/11/23/nominet-releases-first-domain-name-industry-report/
uk: Spec eases VoIP adoption: UK Enum is on the way next year, says Nominet
UK domain name registry Nominet has won the race to be the country’s registry
for Enum, a new standard designed to allow seamless communication between
voice-over-IP (VoIP) servers.
http://www.itweek.co.uk/itweek/news/2204258/spec-eases-voip-adoption-3674814
http://www.vnunet.com/itweek/news/2204258/spec-eases-voip-adoption-3674814
http://www.computing.co.uk/itweek/news/2204258/spec-eases-voip-adoption-3674814
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- DOMAIN SECURITY
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DNS hacked again
Amit Klein recently released details on DNS server cache poisoning attacks that
affect both BIND (Berkeley Internet Name Domain) and Windows DNS servers. It
goes to show that every time you think a problem with a well-known protocol or
service has been solved, it may not be.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/infoworld/20071123/tc_infoworld/93597_4
Lapsed domain names 'bought in seconds'
Website owners have been warned to keep their registration up to date because
lapsed domain names are being snapped up within 10 seconds of becoming
available. Re-registration, which has to be done every two years, can cost as
little as £5 but you can pay ten times as much to get an address back - and
sometimes far more. Names are regularly sold for more than £100,000, and some
for as much as £1m.
http://www.pcw.co.uk/personal-computer-world/news/2204115/laosed-dommain-names-bought
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- MISCELLANEOUS
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Netcraft November 2007 Web Server Survey
In the November 2007 survey we received responses from 149,784,002 sites. This
is an increase of increase of 7.0M sites since last month, and represents
growth of over 40 million sites since the start of the year. Much of the growth
in sites this year has come from the increasing number of blogging sites, in
particular at Live Spaces, Blogger and MySpace. Instead this month, the growth
mainly comes from traditional hosting providers, with large numbers of new
domains at GI Partners and InterServer.
http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2007/11/23/november_2007_web_server_survey.html
The RIPE NCC to Sign the e164.arpa (ENUM) Zone [news release]
As previously announced to the DNS and ENUM Working Groups at RIPE 55, the RIPE
NCC will sign the e164.arpa (ENUM) zone on 26 November 2007 and support for
secure delegations will be provided on 25 March 2008.
http://ripe.net/news/ripe-ncc-signs-e164-arpa.html
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- DOMAINING
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A Domainer’s Christmas List
Looking for something for that domainer on your holiday list? Domainers can be
hard people to shop for. Domain Name Wire lists a few domain-related gifts for
your friends.
http://domainnamewire.com/2007/11/25/a-domainers-christmas-list/
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- AFTERMARKET
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Optimization Above and Beyond Keyword Selection
When optimizing a portfolio, many domainers center their attention exclusively
on the advertising keyword. While advertising keyword selection is paramount to
maximizing a domain’s earning potential, there are several other optimization
areas that deserve attention and can add an extra boost to a portfolio’s
overall performance.
http://www.sedo.co.uk/links/showhtml.php3?Id=1588&tracked=&partnerid=&language=e
GreatDomains combines 2 Premium Auctions Events
On November 29, 2007, GreatDomains will launch another Premium Auction Event in
their series of live auctions powered by Sedo. This auction will combine their
November and December auctions, which would normally fall on holidays, to bring
you one large selection of premium .COM and .NET domain names.
http://www.sedo.co.uk/links/showhtml.php3?Id=1590&tracked=&partnerid=&language=e
Network Solutions Releases White Paper Detailing Pros and Cons of Pay Per Click
Advertising and Search Engine Optimization [news release]
When it comes to which form of search engine marketing is most effective, the
argument between search engine optimization (SEO) and pay per click advertising
(PPC) can become as passionate and heated as a political debate. If a business
owner is new to search engine marketing, it is easy to get overwhelmed and lost
in the sea of opinions on both sides. With Network Solutions® new white paper,
“PPC vs. SEO –Friends or Foes?,” business owners will discover the benefits to
both solutions in driving traffic to their Web sites.
http://vocuspr.vocus.com/VocusPR30/Newsroom/Query.aspx?SiteName=NetworkSolutions&Entity=PRAsset&SF_PRAsset_PRAssetID_EQ=219254&XSL=PressRelease&Cache=True&Merge=
ClintonExposed.com Listed for Sale on Ebay
ClintonExposed.com, one of the hottest internet domain names has now been
listed for sale on Ebay. The domain name was recently listed on Ebay as a
result of the incredible amount of interest in the dot com domain name.
http://www.domainpulse.com/2007/11/26/clintonexposedcom-listed-for-sale-on-ebay/
http://www.domainnews.com/aftermarket/2007112613/
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RESEARCH PAPERS
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Cybercrime Havens: Challenges and Solutions by Susan W. Brenner and Joseph J.
Schwerha IV
In May 2000, the Love Bug virus raced around the world, shutting down business
and government computers in over 45 countries and causing billions of dollars
in damage. The FBI quickly traced the virus to the Philippines, where they
identified Onel de Guzman as its likely author. But since the Philippines then
had no cybercrime law, disseminating the virus was not a crime in that country.
De Guzman therefore could not be prosecuted in the Philippines, and he could
not be extradited for prosecution in the United States because extradition
treaties require that conduct have been criminalized by the country seeking
extradition and the country holding the suspect. No one was ever prosecuted for
the Love Bug.
http://www.abanet.org/buslaw/blt/2007-11-12/schwerha.shtml
Results of the OECD online public consultation on the future of the Internet
economy
The OECD recently invited public comments on issues such as convergence,
innovation and trust, all of which will be discussed at the June 2008 OECD
Ministerial Meeting on the Future of the Internet Economy. This consultation
provided an opportunity for all interested stakeholders to contribute to the
discussions from a wide range of viewpoints and expertise. Responses are now
available on line.
http://www.oecd.org/document/15/0,3343,en_21571361_38415463_39414351_1_1_1_1,00.html
Why We Don't Know Enough About Broadband in the U.S.
Half of all Americans now have broadband at home, according to the Pew Internet
Project's September 2007 survey, marking the first time that as many as 50% of
respondents say they have high-speed internet connections at home. This
milestone in broadband adoption occurs at a time of close scrutiny of the data
gathered by government agencies on broadband deployment. This article puts the
rate of home broadband adoption in historical context before discussing in
detail the issues surrounding broadband data collection and current legislation
that seeks to make improvements.
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/226/report_display.asp
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INTERNET USE
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Mobile Web: So close yet so far
On the surface, the mobile Web is a happening place. There's the iPhone in all
its glory. More than 30 companies have signed up for the Open Handset Alliance
from Google, which aims to bring the wide-open development environment of the
Internet to mobile devices. Nokia, which owns nearly 40 percent of the world
market for cell phones, is snapping up Web technology companies and has made an
eye-popping $8.1 billion bid for Navteq, a digital mapping service. There are
also the requisite start-ups chasing the market.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/technology/25proto.html
http://www.news.com/2100-1041_3-6220000.html
China online users more likely to be Web "addicts" [Reuters]
Chinese Internet users are more likely to depend on their online experiences,
and see the Web as a key to socializing and sharing opinions, than their U.S.
counterparts, according to a study released on Friday. A survey of more than
2,100 Internet users aged 16 to 25 years old in both countries showed that
about 42 percent of users in China said they at times felt "addicted" to their
Web use compared with 18 percent of U.S. users.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKN2227963620071123
SG$2.5m initiative to equip Singapore's senior citizens with infocomm skills
Senior citizens and the underprivileged here will not be left behind by the
digital divide. This was the promise of Second Minister for Information,
Communications and the Arts Vivian Balakrishnan at the launch of a new
three-year $2.5 million initiative on Saturday to equip senior citizens here
with the required infocomm skills. The Silver Infocomm Initiative will train
30,000 senior citizens in courses ranging from basic computer appreciation to
setting up a wireless network at home to blogging.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest+News/Singapore/STIStory_180179.html
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/313497/1/.html
UK 'slow' on ultra-fast internet
Broadband industry leaders are to meet ministers to discuss how to stop the UK
dropping into the internet "slow lane". More than half of all UK homes now have
a broadband connection, at an average speed of 4 Mbps. But the broadband summit
will hear other countries are moving more quickly to build ultra-fast networks
that can deliver speeds of as much as 100 Mbps.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7112373.stm
au: Think before pressing the send button
Australians are impulsive email users and oblivious to online etiquette, new
research has found. The study among a representative sample of full-time
workers in all Australian states found the majority are trigger-happy emailers
who often send communications to the wrong person or in the wrong tone because
they don't stop to think.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/25/1195962828236.html
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/25/1195962828236.html
NZ Online advertising grows 23% quarterly
A report from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) released this morning
says $40 million was spent in online advertising in the third quarter of 2007,
up 23% quarter on quarter.
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/C0CF11F5000A6867CC25739F00209519
za: Milestone for Country Internet
News24.com, the breaking news and information service in the 24.com network of
sites, has recorded more than one million unique South African visitors in a
month - the first South Africa website to do so. This is according to
international statistics group Nielsen//NetRatings' list of the most visited
local Internet sites for October 2007.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200711260534.html
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SOCIAL NETWORKING
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uk: Privacy warning for young users of networking sites
Official guidance for millions of people who use networking sites will be
published today by the information commissioner amid growing concerns that
young people are being naive about the personal details they put online. The
watchdog fears that most youngsters do not realise that the information they
place on websites such as MySpace and Bebo leaves an electronic footprint which
could be traceable to them in the future. In a survey by the Information
Commissioner's Office almost 60% of young people aged 14-21 said they did not
realise the information they placed online could be permanently linked to them.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/nov/23/news.facebook
uk: Young warned over social websites
Millions of young people could damage their future careers with the details
about themselves they post on social networking websites, a watchdog warns. The
Information Commissioner's Office found more than half of those asked made most
of their information public. Some 71% of 2,000 14 to 21-year-olds said they
would not want colleges or employers to do a web search on them before they had
removed some material. The commission said the young needed to be aware of
their electronic footprint.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7108627.stm
New front in the battle against identity theft
Millions of young people have made themselves vulnerable to identity theft as
well as putting their future academic and professional prospects at risk by
recklessly posting personal information on the internet, Britain's privacy
watchdog warns in a report published today.
http://news.independent.co.uk/sci_tech/article3187110.ece
4.5 million young Brits’ futures could be compromised by their electronic
footprint [news release]
As many as four and a half million* young people (71%) would not want a
college, university or potential employer to conduct an internet search on them
unless they could first remove content from social networking sites, according
to new research by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). But almost six
in 10 have never considered that what they put online now might be permanent
and could be accessed years into the future.
http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/pressreleases/2007/social_networking_press_release.pdf
Is Facebook Overrated?
Whether you realize it or not, social networking is something you do every day.
Each time you tell a friend about a good movie, bore a neighbor with pictures
from your kid's birthday party or catch up on gossip at work, you are reaching
out to people you know to share ideas, experiences and information. The genius
of social-networking websites such as MySpace and Facebook lies in their
ability to capture the essence of these informal exchanges and distill them
online into an expanding matrix of searchable, linked Web pages.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1686825,00.html
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NEW TECHNOLOGIES
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Oz Study Confirms iPods Boost Learning
Yet more evidence has emerged indicating that using popular technologies such
as iPods and MacBooks boosts learning and attainment in schools. An Australian
research project has found that teachers and pupils all drew benefit from use
of these technologies in the classroom. Research on the part of the Victorian
Department of Education was conducted across six months at Heathmont College,
using Apple solutions and the Studywiz managed learning environment.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,139883-c,mp3players/article.html
Tracking the media audience, wherever it may be
The French media consumer is about to enter a brave new world where
broadcasters and advertisers can study and dissect their habits wherever they
are. Early next year, Médiamétrie, a French audience survey company, will roll
out a new system using inaudible tones emitted from television broadcasts that
can give a richer view of the popularity of shows by demographic group and
format.
http://iht.com/articles/2007/11/25/technology/measure26.php
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SPAM
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Despite filters, tidal wave of spam bears down on e-mailers
Why, in 2007, is spam worse than ever? Let exasperated consumers count the
ways: PDF spam. MP3 spam. Pump-and-dump spam. E-card spam. It may sound like a
broken record, but spam continues to do just that -- break records. This year
marks the first time the total number of spam e-mail messages sent worldwide,
10.8 trillion, will surpass the number of person-to-person e-mails sent, 10.5
trillion, according to market researcher IDC.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/2007-11-22-spam_N.htm
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DIGITAL DIVIDE
**********************
Mozambique Govt Praised for Computer Policies to Reduce Digital Divide
Mozambique has been praised as one of the Commonwealth members that has made
good strides in reducing the digital divide, through the implementation of
policies to expand access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
According to Mozambican Foreign Minister Alcinda Abreu, Mozambique received
praise for its computerisation drive during sessions behind closed doors of the
Commonwealth summit in Kampala.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200711260569.html
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ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL
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Amazon surrenders on One-Click shopping monopoly
Amazon.com has proposed changes to its controversial patent for shopping with a
single mouse click that will narrow its monopoly to websites that also offer a
shopping cart model. It follows a successful campaign by a New Zealand
performance artist.
http://out-law.com/page-8659
NZ Lawyers to gather for Internet law conference
A group of New Zealand technology law specialists will convene in Auckland
early next year to examine the latest developments in Internet law. The e-Law
Conference, hosted by legal publisher LexisNexis, is being held February 18 &
19, 2008 at Auckland’s Heritage Hotel.
http://www.cyberlaw.org.nz/?p=29
ISPs Fear Trend Toward Liability For Content by Monika Ermert [sub req'd]
The rising trend of holding ISPs, host and platform operators liable for third
party violations of laws relating to copyright, competition and the protection
of minor laws is of increasing concern to industry associations like the
Association of the German Internet Economy, known as Eco.
http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/index.php?p=840
Philippines mulls over cybercrime law
The government is taking its time passing an anti-cybercrime law, which
observers say, will safeguard the country from becoming a haven for crimes such
as phishing or identity theft, and child pornography and prostitution.
According to local media reports, congressman and anti-cybercrime advocate
Joseph Santiago, said Congress has yet to act on a "hanging" bill aimed at
curbing cybercrime in the Philippines. Santiago said the bill was submitted for
approval as early as two years ago.
http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/business/0,39044229,62034883,00.htm
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PRIVACY
**************************
au: Google's candid camera snaps Australia
Take extra-special care of your appearance when walking around Australian
capital city streets this summer, as one nose pick or bum scratch could be
immortalised on Google Maps forever. Google-branded cars with roof-mounted
cameras have just begun traversing our streets, taking highly detailed
panoramic street-level photos for a new Maps feature called Street View.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/23/1195753275851.html
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/23/1195753275851.html
**********************
CENSORSHIP
**********************
Yo! Singapore censor rap hits YouTube [Reuters]
Singapore's Media Development Authority, which regulates and censors media and
the arts, has scored an unexpected hit on YouTube with a rap video about the
city-state's media ambitions.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUKSP16636020071123
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10478438
Syrian Facebook users blocked
Facebook users in Syria say the authorities have blocked access to the social
networking web site as part of a crackdown on political activism on the
internet. "Facebook helped further civil society in Syria and form civic groups
outside government control. This is why it has been banned," women's rights
advocate Dania al-Sharif said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/24/2100029.htm
Syria blocks Facebook in Internet crackdown [Reuters]
Syrian users of Facebook said on Friday the authorities had blocked access to
the social network Web site as part of a crackdown on political activism on the
Internet. "Facebook helped further civil society in Syria and form civic groups
outside government control. This is why it has been banned," women's rights
advocate Dania al-Sharif told Reuters.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/23/AR2007112301259.html
ru: RF Prosecutor General's Office intends to impose internet censorship
Ivan Sydorouk, RF Deputy Prosecutor General, approves of the necessity to
develop a system to control the information published on the internet including
the foreign sites. On November 19th speaking at the meeting of the Federation
Council Committee for Legal and Judicial Affairs RF Deputy Prosecutor General
said extremist materials have been recently widely spread on the internet and
MM, Russian News&Information Agency Novosti informs.
http://eng.cnews.ru/news/line/indexEn.shtml?2007/11/20/275812
************************************************
CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION
************************************************
In child pornography, fight harder: It's more barbaric than you think. We need
to keep cracking down.
Millions of children around the world are being sexually abused and molested.
Billions of dollars are changing hands as part of a growing crime wave of child
pornography. This is anything but a victimless crime. Children – some as young
as infants – are being barbarically assaulted for the sexual gratification of
their abusers and those who view their photos. While inroads have been made in
the fight against child pornography, the problem remains severe. We have much
more to do.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1126/p09s01-coop.html
**************************
GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
**************************
France Sets Sanctions Against Internet Piracy [Reuters]
Internet users in France who frequently download music or films illegally risk
losing Web access under a new anti-piracy system unveiled on Friday. The
three-way pact between Internet service providers, the government and owners of
film and music rights is a boon to the music industry, which has been calling
for such measures to stop illicit downloads eating into its sales. Under the
agreement -- drawn up by a commission headed by the chief executive of FNAC,
one of France's biggest music and film retailers -- service providers will
issue warning messages to customers downloading files illegally.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKL2346825720071123
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/technology/reuters-piracy.html
France unveils anti-piracy plan
French web users caught pirating movies or music could soon be thrown offline.
Those illegally sharing files will face the loss of their net access thanks to
a newly-created anti-piracy body granted the wide-ranging powers.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7110024.stm
au: Broadband high on Rudd agenda
KEVIN Rudd will lead with an iron fist, coming down hard on ineffective
ministers and taking control of the agenda in crucial portfolios. Labor
insiders yesterday said Mr Rudd would be an "evidence-based" leader, whose
intellect would mean he would make considered decisions.
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,22821507-15306,00.html
UK minister leads push for faster broadband
Telecoms executives have been summoned to a meeting today with the government
and the regulator, Ofcom, to thrash out a plan to stop Britain slipping behind
in the global broadband league. The summit, organised by Stephen Timms, the
competitiveness minister and former e-commerce minister, will tackle how to
increase internet access speeds, paving the way for services such as
high-definition internet TV, and who will pay the £7bn or so for the
infrastructure.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/nov/26/telecoms.internet
**********************
FILE SHARING
**********************
Consumer Web Access Could Be Shut Down For Sharing Illegal Content by Mira Veda
Have you ever downloaded a song or movie without paying for it? Maybe you
thought it wasn't really stealing because when you think about it, music seems
like its free right? You hear it in your car, free right? In stores while you
shop, free right? At the restaurants and clubs...all free right? Not on your
life. Music is not free. Most of the music you hear is paid for whether its on
the radio or in a store, you may not be aware of this because as you run around
in your day, music is being gifted to you. What you don't realize is the
Recording Industry is losing billions in sales because that 'gift' of music
somehow actively encourages unlawful peer-to-peer file swapping. Individual
sense of entitlement creeps in and Record companies are big ugly money mongers
anyways, right?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mira-veda/consumer-web-access-could_b_74029.html
French record industry, ISPs in entente to boot off file-sharers
The French President today trumpeted a new plan by some of the country's ISPs
and its record and film industries to shut off illegal file-sharers' internet
access.
http://out-law.com/page-8661
*********************************
COMMENT, MICROSOFT & DEVELOPMENTS
*********************************
AMD v Intel: Oil money and hafnium
New twists in the long-running battle between the two biggest chipmakers:
Faster chips are the fuel of the computer industry. So the announcement on
November 16th that Mubadala Development, an investment arm of oil-rich Abu
Dhabi, would pay about $622m for 8.1% of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), a
leading maker of microprocessors, seems somehow fitting. The deal is an
unexpected twist in the race between AMD and Intel, the world's largest
chipmaker, in which Intel is again making the running.
http://economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10180738
A mass movement is needed to tackle the state's snoopers by Henry Porter
There's no time to crow over the government's loss of 25 million people's
details; no time to rejoice at the obvious mortification of Gordon Brown,
Alistair Darling, his sidekick, Andy Burnham, Jacqui Smith and Harriet Harman.
These people will not be deterred by the calamity of last week. They are
shameless. In a month or two they will bounce back. The ID card scheme will be
relaunched and Jacqui Smith will continue with her plans to demand 53 pieces of
information from people before they travel abroad. The Children's Index, the
Children's Assessment Framework, the National Health database, the
ever-expanding police DNA database will all continue to scoop up information.
Why? Because the control of the masses is coded in the deepest part of Labour's
being.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2216588,00.html
**********************
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
**********************
OECD Broadband Portal
The OECD broadband portal provides access to a range of broadband-related
statistics gathered by the OECD. Policy makers must examine a range of
indicators which reflect the status of individual broadband markets in the
OECD. The OECD has indentified five main categories which are important for
assessing broadband markets.
http://www.oecd.org/sti/ict/broadband
au: Time to end broadband drought - Fairfax chief
THE chief executive of Fairfax Media, David Kirk, has called on the winner of
today's federal election to build a broadband network that will reach all
Australian households. Speaking to the NSW Farm Writers Association, Mr Kirk
said: "Regional and rural Australia are in the midst of a second drought - a
drought in broadband deployment".
http://business.smh.com.au/time-to-end-broadband-drought--fairfax-chief/20071123-1cgx.html
InternetNZ disappointed by TNZ draft separation plan [sub req'd]
http://www.telecom.paper.nl/news/article.aspx?id=193805
Telecom draft separation plan disappoints - InternetNZ [news release]
InternetNZ (the Internet Society of New Zealand Inc) today responded to
Telecom’s draft operational separation plan, filing a detailed submission that
exposes serious deficiencies in Telecom’s proposed approach.
http://www.internetnz.net.nz/media/mediareleases/tcomopsep
**********************
MOBILE/WIRELESS
**********************
Taiwan promotes powerful UMPC for WiMax
Taiwan has developed a powerful ultramobile PC that can fit in your hand and
carries a speedy 1GHz microprocessor on board.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1362170312;fp;2;fpid;1
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sources include Quicklinks <http://qlinks.net/> and BNA Internet Law News
<http://www.bna.com/ilaw/>.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
(c) David Goldstein 2007
---------
David Goldstein
address: 4/3 Abbott Street
COOGEE NSW 2034
AUSTRALIA
email: Goldstein_David @yahoo.com.au
phone: +61 418 228 605 (mobile); +61 2 9665 5773 (home)
"Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you
forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim Flannery
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