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[APPLe list] general internet news - 20 July
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Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/sci/sirc/
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China's Internet users outnumber U.S. population [IDG]
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/168596/.html
Why Bing Is Gaining On Google
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0803/breakthroughs-search-why-bing-gaining-on-google.html
Google to newspapers: Put up or shut up
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/07/google-newspapers.html
NZ internet users take issue with child-porn filter
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10584982
New Pirate Bay to be based on give-and-take models [AP]
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/new-pirate-bay-to-be-based-on-giveandtake-models-20090719-dp3y.html
EU battles industry plans to restrict Skype on mobile phones
http://euractiv.com/en/infosociety/eu-battles-industry-plans-restrict-skype-mobile-phones/article-184142
Experts link flood of 'Canadian Pharmacy' spam to Russian botnet criminals [IDG]
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/071609-canadian-pharmacy-spam.html
Google is not liable for defamatory snippets in search results, rules UK High Court
http://out-law.com/page-10181
Wikipedia painting row with Britain's National Portrait Gallery escalates
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8156268.stm
Facebook 'violates' Canada's privacy law
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/facebook/5846719/Facebook-violates-privacy-law.html
Facebook needs to improve privacy practices, investigation finds
http://www.priv.gc.ca/media/nr-c/2009/nr-c_090716_e.cfm
NZ Labour floats copyright levy [The Dominion Post]
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/2607632/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/features/technology/2607632/
Apple hands Palm a problem and gets slapped by Microsoft
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/19/apple-palm-pre-microsoft-retail
Yahoo-Microsoft tie-up may challenge Google
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article6719055.ece
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RESEARCH PAPERS
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Pornography, Censorship and the Internet by Lilian Edwards {Law and the Internet]
Abstract: Over a decade since the Internet became an acknowledged mainstream commercial medium, it still retains its less than savoury reputation as a happy hunting ground for pornography and other types of distasteful content. ... The chapter observes a dangerous international trend towards non transparent and non accountable censorship online, not only in non democratic countries like China but increasingly in Europe and elsewhere. The author proposes a "speech impact assessment" process be put in place before new systems of top-down state-endorsed Intenet filtering are implemented.
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1435093
Five Online Safety Task Forces Agree: Education, Empowerment & Self-Regulation are the Answer by Adam D. Thierer [Progress & Freedom Foundation Progress on Point Paper]
Abstract: Public policy debates about online child safety have raged since the earliest days of the Internet. Concerns about underage access to objectionable content (specifically pornography) drove early "Web 1.0" efforts to regulate the Internet, and it continues to be the topic of much discussion today. With the rise of the more interactive "Web 2.0" environment, however, objectionable contact and communications (harassment, cyberbullying, predation, etc.) have become a more significant concern and is now driving many regulatory proposals.
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1433504
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INTERNET USE
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China's Internet users outnumber U.S. population [IDG]
China's Internet users have surpassed the U.S. population in number, and more Chinese than ever are using e-commerce and accessing the Web through mobile phones, according to official statistics. China had 338 million Internet users at the end of last month, the most in any country, the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) said late Thursday.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/071709-chinas-internet-users-outnumber-us.html
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135616/China_s_Internet_users_outnumber_U.S._population
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/168596/.html
Why Bing Is Gaining On Google
If Microsoft's Bing is successful in gaining ground against Google, then the folks in Redmond will owe their good fortune to the manner in which they have closely hewed to the two ironclad rules for business success. First, diligently study your opponent's success so that you can align your strategy perfectly with what's being practiced by the competition. Second, ignore everything your competitor is doing and make up new marketplace rules as you see fit. A third rule is that only has-beens and also-rans worry about rules contradicting themselves.
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0803/breakthroughs-search-why-bing-gaining-on-google.html
Kill IE6, for the sake of the web: expert
A US web expert has called for web users to abandon Internet Explorer 6 for the greater good of the internet.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/17/2629029.htm
Financial Times editor says most news websites will charge within a year
The Financial Times editor, Lionel Barber, has predicted that "almost all" news organisations will be charging for online content within a year. Barber said building online platforms that could charge readers on an article-by-article or subscription basis was one of the key challenges facing news organisations.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/16/financial-times-lionel-barber
Google to newspapers: Put up or shut up
Is Google stealing our content? That, anyway, seemed to be the suggestion when a European publishing group announced last week that it had garnered a number of supporters for its Hamburg Declaration, which calls for "urgent improvements in the protection of intellectual property on the Internet." This week, Google had a reply, which basically boils down to: Put up or shut up.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/07/google-newspapers.html
Britain's Teletext to be shut down after 35 years
At a time when the internet was nothing but a distant dream and pressing the red button just turned the television off, Teletext was the king of instant information. But yesterday, 35 years after the service first flickered into life, it was announced that the news and information provider, one of the last technological bastions of the pre-internet age, will be closed prematurely.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article6717192.ece
Internet Addiction? Shocking.
How often do you tell your kids they don't know how lucky they are? Do you say things like, "When I was young we didn't have no dang fool Intertubes and online games?" and then force them to go outside and do something? Could it be that your kids have Internet Addiction Disorder?
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135611/Internet_Addiction_Shocking.
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CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION
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au: Content filtering way behind schedule [sub req'd]
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has admitted controversial trials of content-filtering technology that could force internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to websites that host illegal material are running months behind schedule.
http://www.afr.com/home/viewer.aspx?EDP://20090720000031360929§ion=information&title=Content+filtering+way+behind+schedule
NZ internet users take issue with child-porn filter
Internet service providers will soon begin blocking access to hundreds of websites that are on a secret blacklist compiled by the Department of Internal Affairs, but critics say the system lacks transparency.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10584982
Net filtering scheme to block child porn websites [The Dominion Post]
Internet service providers will soon be able to block customers from accessing child pornography websites using "filtering" software bought by Internal Affairs.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/2601365/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/features/technology/2601365/
Controversial new weapon in the war on child abuse announced
A controversial filtering system to block websites that host child sexual abuse images will be available voluntarily to New Zealand internet service providers (ISPs) within a couple of months, Internal Affairs Deputy Secretary, Keith Manch, said yesterday.
http://www.netguide.co.nz/200907161081/new-weapon-in-the-war-on-child-abuse.php
New Zealand moves forward with child porn filtering system
ISPs in New Zealand are planning to implement the Department of Internal Affairs' child porn filtering system in the coming months. The 7,000-strong blacklist will remain a government secret, which critics say is proof that the system is not transparent enough.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/07/new-zealand-moves-forward-with-child-porn-filtering-system.ars
Orcon refuses to install govt’s filtering software
Among the big ISPs, some are saying yes to the Department of Internal Affairs’ new Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System, and some no. Others are still considering the site-blocking software, which will be rolled out over the next couple of months.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/orcon-refuses-install-govt-s-filtering-software-105827
Web filter will focus solely on child sex abuse images
A filtering system to block websites that host child sexual abuse images will be available voluntarily to New Zealand internet service providers (ISPs) within a couple of months, Internal Affairs Deputy Secretary, Keith Manch, said today.
http://www.dia.govt.nz/press.nsf/d77da9b523f12931cc256ac5000d19b6/26bc0621775bbe47cc2575f50010a894
Internet filtering service to block child porn questioned [NZPA]
Internet service providers will soon begin blocking access to hundreds of websites that are on a secret blacklist compiled by the Department of Internal Affairs, but critics say the system lacks transparency.
http://www.3news.co.nz/News/National/Internet-filtering-service-to-block-child-porn-questioned/tabid/423/articleID/112941/Default.aspx?ArticleID=112941
http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/internet-filtering-system-questioned-2850797
http://www.3news.co.nz/ScienceTech/Story/tabid/412/articleID/112859/cat/73/Default.aspx
Do you approve of the Government blocking access to some internet sites?
Internet service providers will soon begin blocking access to hundreds of websites that are on a secret blacklist compiled by the Department of Internal Affairs, but critics say the system lacks transparency.
http://blogs.nzherald.co.nz/blog/your-views/2009/7/16/do-you-approve-government-blocking-access-some-interent-sites/
Questions asked over InternetNZ's censorship stance
Questions are being asked what lobby organisation InternetNZ’s stance really is on the new internet filtering system that the Department of Internal Affairs will make available on a voluntary basis to ISPs within a few months.
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/scrt/82AB8B0113168519CC2575F50070ACE5
ACMA launches Cybersmart safety website, but will kids use it?
Senator Stephen Conroy has launched the ACMA’s new CyberSmart website aimed at helping children stay safe online. Coming only days after releasing the Click and Connect report on Australian children online, CyberSmart is billed as a first in ‘cybersafety’ education and a single access point for Australians to access online safety advice.
http://www.digital-media.net.au/article/ACMA-launches-Cybersmart-safety-website-but-will-kids-use-it/490692.aspx
Helping keep Australian children safe online [news release]
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today launched a new website, www.cybersmart.gov.au. Senator Conroy said the new website, provided by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), was aimed at keeping Australian children safer online and providing teachers with cyber-safety education resources, and would be an important part of the Australian Government’s Cybersmart education program.
http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/062
Symantec's Novel Approach to Online Safety [review]
Any parents concerned about children's safety is going to keep an eye on what their kids do online—be it to protect them from predators, keep them from visiting inappropriate Web sites, prevent downloading of harmful software, or some combination of all three.
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jul2009/tc20090715_838233.htm
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ONLINE TV & MUSIC
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New Pirate Bay to be based on give-and-take models [AP]
One of the world's largest filesharing Web sites, The Pirate Bay, is going legal through a series of give-and-take payment models that in some cases may even earn its users a bundle of cash, the new owners said Saturday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/18/AR2009071800940.html
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/new-pirate-bay-to-be-based-on-giveandtake-models-20090719-dp3y.html
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/new-pirate-bay-to-be-based-on-giveandtake-models-20090719-dp3y.html
Pay to use Pirate Bay? Will it fly?
After announcing they're planning to purchase The Pirate Bay, Global Gaming Factory didn't give much away about how they'd make it all work. Now they've announced they're going to make sharing files on the new Pirate Bay a pay to use proposition, with users charged a monthly fee.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10585558
Spotify to take online jukebox to the States
The online music streaming service Spotify, which has more than two million users in Europe, is recruiting staff for an imminent assault on the US music scene despite admitting that it is struggling to hit its target of making a profit by the end of the year.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jul/19/spotify-launching-in-us
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MOBILE/WIRELESS
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EU battles industry plans to restrict Skype on mobile phones
The European Commission is threatening to brandish the new roaming regulation or antitrust rules in order to block plans by major EU telecoms operators to restrict the use of Internet calling services like Skype via their mobile networks.
http://euractiv.com/en/infosociety/eu-battles-industry-plans-restrict-skype-mobile-phones/article-184142
Nokia warns against growth expectations for handsets
Nokia, the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer, has warned that it will not increase its share of the handset market this year because of fierce competition. The Finnish technology company also said its profit margins will continue to come under pressure as it battles the impact of the global recession.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jul/16/nokia-market-share-squeezed
Nokia reports sharp fall in sales but says worst is over
Nokia called the bottom of the mobile handset market yesterday, providing a faint glimmer of hope as it disclosed a 66 per cent fall in second-quarter profits, compared with the same period the previous year, and cut its targets for market share and profitability.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/telecoms/article6717150.ece
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SPAM
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Experts link flood of 'Canadian Pharmacy' spam to Russian botnet criminals [IDG]
The world's currently most voluminous spam generator, "Canadian Pharmacy," is clogging networks with come-ons for male-enhancement drugs and painkillers - and there’s growing belief it has a link to Russian cybercrime groups selling counterfeit medicines.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/071609-canadian-pharmacy-spam.html
http://www.cio.com/article/497423/Experts_Link_Flood_of_Canadian_Pharmacy_Spam_to_Russian_Botnet_Criminals
http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=882C8A37-1A64-6A71-CEADA2B39A6AA0D7
Microsoft Sues Mobile Ringtone Company for Phishing, Spam [IDG]
Microsoft has sued a Hong Kong seller of mobile ringtones, saying the company used phishing techniques to flood Microsoft Live Messenger users with spam messages.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/168574/.html
Microsoft sues over IM spam, phishing
Microsoft has filed a lawsuit accusing two companies of launching instant-messaging spam and phishing attacks that targeted users on its Live Messenger network.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/security/0,1000000189,39686022,00.htm
Microsoft Lawsuit Aims to Block Spam Over IM
Microsoft this week accused mobile ringtone and entertainment firm Funmobile for resorting to spamming Windows Live Messenger users to hawk its wares.
http://www.internetnews.com/security/article.php/3830521
ACCC cracks down on premium mobile services
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have joined forces to produce a new fact sheet — Mobile premium services – Information for consumers — to prevent consumers being ripped off by mobile premium SMS services.
http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/311541/
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DIGITAL DIVIDE
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Broadband service aims at developing nations
Sanjiv Ahuja, former head of France Telecom’s Orange mobile phone businesses, has established a new company to supply broadband internet access in developing countries. Augere is planning to launch its first consumer-focused broadband operations in Asia in October and then expand to Africa early next year.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/458e79a6-7494-11de-8ad5-00144feabdc0.html
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ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL
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Kiwi man wins legal battle with mormon church over a family affair
An Auckland man has seen off a legal challenge from the giant mormon church over the trademark for his family location internet service, with the Court of Appeal today ruling against the religious organisation.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/kiwi-man-wins-legal-battle-with-mormon-church-over-a-family-affair-105723
Kiwi wins web case against Mormons [NZPA]
An Auckland man helping people reunite divided families has won a legal war over words with the massive Mormon church. Robert Sintes, director of the website familytracing.co.nz, said his court cases with the third-largest church in the world were "by and large" sorted, after the Court of Appeal found in his favour over his using the words "family search".
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/2602535/
Google is not liable for defamatory snippets in search results, rules UK High Court
Google is not the publisher of defamatory words that appear in its search results, the High Court ruled yesterday. Even when Google had been told that its results contained libellous words, it was not liable as a publisher, said Mr Justice Eady.
http://out-law.com/page-10181
PC Infections Often Spread to Web Sites
Most people are familiar with the notion that a computer virus can be passed from PC to PC, but many folks would probably be surprised to learn that a sick PC can often pass its infection on to Web sites, too.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2009/07/pc_infections_often_spread_to.html
Wikipedia painting row with Britain's National Portrait Gallery escalates
The battle over Wikipedia's use of images from a British art gallery's website has intensified. The online encyclopaedia has accused the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) of betraying its public service mission.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8156268.stm
Gallery in Wikipedia legal threat
The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) is threatening legal action after 3,300 images from its website were uploaded to online encyclopaedia Wikipedia. A contributor to the popular site, Derrick Coetzee, breached English copyright laws by posting images from the gallery's collection, the NPG said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/8151989.stm
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PRIVACY
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Facebook 'violates' Canada's privacy law
The popular social networking site Facebook is not doing enough to protect the personal information it gets from subscribers, and it gives users confusing and incomplete information about privacy matters, Canada's privacy commissioner said on Thursday.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/facebook/5846719/Facebook-violates-privacy-law.html
Privacy Commissioner Finds Facebook Violating Canadian Privacy Law by Michael Geist
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has released its long-awaited finding (media release, finding, backgrounder) in the complaint against Facebook on a variety of privacy grounds. The complaint was launched by CIPPIC in May 2008 (note that I am an advisor to CIPPIC but had no involvement in this complaint). The case marks an important step in assessing how Canadian privacy law addresses social media with the Commissioner identifying some significant concerns. Moreover, as the case potentially heads to court, it will be closely watched to see whether the findings can be enforced against a global social media power like Facebook.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090716_facebook_violating_canadian_privacy_law/
Facebook needs to improve privacy practices, investigation finds
In order to comply with Canadian privacy law, Facebook must take greater responsibility for the personal information in its care, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada said today in announcing the results of an investigation into the popular social networking site’s privacy policies and practices.
http://www.priv.gc.ca/media/nr-c/2009/nr-c_090716_e.cfm
Facebook 'breaches Canadian law'
Popular social networking site Facebook is breaching Canadian law by holding on to users' personal information indefinitely, a report has concluded.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8155367.stm
Facebook has privacy gaps: Canadian watchdog
The popular social networking site Facebook is not doing enough to protect the personal information it gets from subscribers, and it gives users confusing and incomplete information about privacy matters, Canada's privacy commissioner said on Thursday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE56F4GW20090716
http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-41095820090716
Facebook slapped by privacy watchdog [AP]
Canada's privacy commissioner said that online social networking site Facebook breaches the law by keeping users' personal information indefinitely after members close their accounts.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10585076
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/canada-facebook-violates-privacy-law-20090717-dn4k.html
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/canada-facebook-violates-privacy-law-20090717-dn4k.html
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CENSORSHIP
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kz: Call for revision of repressive Internet law as it goes into effect
Reporters Without Borders regrets that a bill regulating online communications and content was signed into law by President Nursultan Nazarbayev on 13 July because it gives blogs, chat rooms and other websites such as online retail outlets the same legal status as the Kazakh news media and thereby exposes them to the possibility of criminal prosecution.
http://www.rsf.org/Call-for-revision-of-repressive.html
pk: Intensified fight against cyber-crime threatens free expression
Reporters Without Borders is concerned about the impact on free expression of an interior ministry announcement on 12 July that sending “indecent, provocative and ill-motivated” stories and messages by email or SMS will be regarded as an offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison under the Cyber Crime Act (CCA).
http://www.rsf.org/Intensified-fight-against-cyber.html
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GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
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Online gambling in Europe: A stacked deck - Recalcitrant European governments refuse to open their gambling markets
Professional poker players say that if you have been playing for a while and cannot figure out who the patsy is, it’s you. This dictum also applies to those involved in a high-stakes game between the European Commission, online-gambling firms and several European countries opposed to internet betting. The European Union’s supposed single market, which the commission polices, is fractured over the issue. A study for the European Parliament last year found that seven of the union’s 27 members outlaw online gambling. Of the other 20, only 13 have liberalised their markets. The rest limit online gambling to monopolies owned or licensed by the state.
http://www.economist.com/businessfinance/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14041688
NZ Labour floats copyright levy [The Dominion Post]
Labour communications spokeswoman Clare Curran says a charge on internet accounts should be considered to recompense copyright holders for downloaded material. Ms Curran says the idea received support at workshops she has been holding to formulate Labour policy. But the Federation Against Copyright Theft (NZFact) says it is not a solution its movie studio members are looking at.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/2607632/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/features/technology/2607632/
Curran suggests ISP levy for copyright
Shadow minister for ICT Clare Curran says a licence fee attached to internet connections should be considered to break New Zealand's copyright law impasse. In a blog post this morning, Curran suggests any future regime should enable people to access the information or material they seek.
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/F71FEC47FB46976FCC2575F800727B2B
Fighting copyright pirates hand to hand [The Dominion Post]
OPINION: Section 92a is back and the Government is again threatening to cut off copyright pirates' access to the internet, so why isn't the hawkish Recording Industry Association celebrating? The original section 92a of the Copyright Act that sparked the "Blackout" protests earlier this year would have given the music and movie studios an automatic weapon with which to gun down pirates.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/2607637/
nz: So far, plain sailing for new-look S92
Lobbyists on both sides have offered only guarded criticism of Simon Power’s reworked version of the controversial anti-pirate clause. Some say due process isn't enough, and want account termination taken off the table altogether. Copyright holders are lobbying for it to stay. But in constrast to the highly-charged tone of arguments over the original clause, the renewed debate is mostly moderate, and constructive. An emotive stand-off has been defused.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/so-far-plain-sailing-new-look-s92-105761
NZ Government copyright proposals a mixed bag - InternetNZ [news release]
InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) describes the Government’s proposals to fix Section 92a of the Copyright Act as a mixed bag that tries to combine the benefits of a notice and notice approach with the toxic remains of a termination regime. Also, issues of ISP definition and safe harbour do not appear to have been addressed.
http://www.internetnz.net.nz/media/media-releases-2009/government-copyright-proposals-a-mixed-bag-internetnz
Download law back on agenda
There is no doubting that many people in New Zealand illegally download movies, music, computer games and other software every day.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/opinion/2603113/
Nouvelle-Zélande : présentation de sa nouvelle riposte graduée ?
À l'instar de la France, la Nouvelle-Zélande compte bien trouver une solution pour lutter contre le téléchargement illégal, après l'échec de l'adoption de leur riposte graduée en début d'année.
http://www.pcinpact.com/actu/news/51989-nouvelle-zelande-riposte-graduee-section-92a.htm
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MISCELLANEOUS
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Apple hands Palm a problem and gets slapped by Microsoft
It's a dog-eat-dog world in the technology jungle. For the best part of two years, Apple's iPhone has had the top end of the smartphone market to itself. But then along came the Palm Pre, which has had a very favourable reception from the geek crowd, and is a much more polished product than early versions of the Android (aka Google) phones. Personally I thought it unlikely that the Pre would seriously challenge the Apple product, but it seems that Steve Jobs & Co are taking no chances.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/19/apple-palm-pre-microsoft-retail
Yahoo-Microsoft tie-up may challenge Google
The activist investor Carl Icahn this weekend turned up the heat on Yahoo as the internet company closes in on an advertising alliance with Microsoft. Talks have resumed between the pair over a deal that would help them to compete with Google, the world’s biggest search engine.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article6719055.ece
Microsoft and Yahoo rumoured to be closing in on deal
After almost 18 months of increasingly bitter negotiations, Microsoft is said to be closing in on a deal buy technology rival Yahoo's web search business.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jul/17/microsoft-yahoo
Report: Yahoo, Microsoft finally near deal
It's unclear whether they brought the requested "boatloads of money," but several top Microsoft executives are in Silicon Valley to try to finalize a search deal with Yahoo, according to an All Things Digital report late on Thursday.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10289209-56.html
Reports: Microsoft and Yahoo close to search ad deal [IDG]
In less than a week, Microsoft could reach an alliance with Yahoo that could compete better with Google in online search advertising, according to media reports.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/071709-reports-microsoft-and-yahoo-close.html
Google says online ad revenue stabilising
Google executives on Thursday said that they had seen a return to stability in the online advertising market as the internet company reported quarterly earnings ahead of Wall Street forecasts.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0d2b34e8-7249-11de-ba94-00144feabdc0.html
Google says YouTube on track for first profit
YouTube is finally on track to turn its first profit for parent Google, thanks mostly to two forms of online advertising that the popular online video site once largely scorned, according to executives at the internet search group.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b4d81bde-72f8-11de-ad98-00144feabdc0.html
Google Growth Slows Again; Sales Rise 2.9%
Google Inc.'s growth continued to slow in the second quarter, signaling the online ad market remains in a slump.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124777490680353421.html
Google profits rocket despite recession
Internet giant Google continued to shrug off the worst effects of the recession, announcing today that it had seen an 18% increase in profits for its last financial quarter.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jul/16/google-q2-results
Intel goes from black sheep to the white hope of technology
On Tuesday night, Intel was the toast of Wall Street. With the financial world growing fearful that the economic green shoots were shrivelling, the technology firm gave the markets their favourite fertiliser – a dose of forecast-beating results.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jul/15/intel-is-white-hope-of-technology
The Internet Is Dead (As An Investment)
I can live all day inside the Internet. I can talk to my friends, listen to music, watch TV, trade stocks, play games, do work - all on the Internet. From 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day I can spend on the Internet and it would be a day well spent. But run for the hills when it comes to advising clients to invest in the Internet.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124784696163158721.html
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(c) David Goldstein 2009
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David Goldstein
email: goldstein_david@yahoo.com.au
web: http://davidgoldstein.tel/
http://goldsteinreport.com/
phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home
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AUSTRALIA
"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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