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domain name news - January 14
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Sponsored by the Singapore Internet Research Centre
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/sci/sirc/
Sponsored by EuroDNS and AsiaDNS - for your domain name registration
http://www.eurodns.com/
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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 January 17 edition of the news include:
Domain Name Law and Regulation Seminar & Book Launch in Melbourne | Open consultation on the forthcoming launch of IDNs under the .eu TLD - Eurid survey | nz: InternetNZ paper on Liability of ISPs for Thid Party Content by Mauricio Freitas | Another Estonia Cyberattack | .ca domain name disputes on the rise | Report reveals two thirds top online retailers cybersquatted | Was Network Solutions front running, or just bad PR? | Network Solutions is getting better by Jay Westerdal
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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Chairman of cyberspace has right stuff
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=55&objectid=10486403
ICANN Accountability and Transparency Document Released
http://icann.org/announcements/announcement-10jan08.htm
ICANN: Global Policy Proposal for Remaining IPv4 Address Space – Background Report
http://icann.org/announcements/proposal-ipv4-report-29nov07.htm
'Dashboard' Allows Window into ICANN Performance
http://icann.org/announcements/announcement-11jan08.htm
Do you believe in Transition? by Paul Levins
http://blog.icann.org/?p=262
One million .fr domain names
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=3697
Domain-Name Disputes at an All-Time High
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2008/01/11/domain-name-disputes-at-an-all-time-high/
Expert: Alta. premier won't win web fight
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/MediaNews/2008/01/10/4765827-sun.html
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Alberta/2008/01/10/4765195-sun.html
us: Adding an 'e' before a trademark in a domain name is dilution
http://domaine.blogspot.com/2008/01/us-adding-e-before-trademark-in-domain.html
Domain Name Front Running Practice Criticized [AP]
http://news.theage.com.au/new-domain-name-practice-criticized/20080111-1le9.html
Network Solutions may change controversial domain-name policy
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9056778
Network Solutions amends Net registration process
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9847684-7.html
Are Registries Aiding And Abetting Front Running?
http://about.tucows.com/2008/01/09/are-registries-aiding-and-abetting-front-running/
After furor, Network Solutions stands by name policy [IDG]
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/011008-after-furor-network-solutions-stands.html
Understanding Search Usability - Part 2
http://searchengineland.com/080110-145013.php
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GOVERNANCE
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Internet Governance: The Issue, The Myths, The Problems, The Solutions by Veni Markovski
I have written a short paper on the topic of Internet Governance. Since it includes a number of resources, it would be easier for me to just point to a link with the document itself.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/internet_governance_myth_problems_solutions/
Will there really be a new Russian Internet? by Veni Markovski
There have been some reports in the past few days about possible “division” of the Internet in Russia, tied in with speculation that the forthcoming Cyrillic domain names will be used to grant the Russian government more control over its citizens. The source of this speculation appears to be an article published in UK newspaper The Guardian. That article was then reproduced in a number of Russian news articles, most of them quoting a direct translation published by SecurityLab.
http://blog.icann.org/?p=263
World wide web - for how much longer?
There has recently been some suggestion of governments attempting to control their citizens’ access to the Internet. In Russia, the government is reportedly planning to create a web that operates in the Cyrillic alphabet and is independent from the rest of the Internet and the Japanese communications ministry is recommending that their government starts regulating the internet by 2010, in response to concerns over libellous flaming on forums.
http://www.itpro.co.uk/blogs/nominet/2008/01/11/world-wide-web-for-how-much-longer/
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DOMAIN NAMES
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- ICANN
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Chairman of cyberspace has right stuff
Wellington lawyer Peter Dengate Thrush might seem an unlikely choice to head an international internet governance body. New Zealand, after all, is hardly a cyberspace superpower - we have yet to produce a Google, Amazon or MySpace.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=55&objectid=10486403
Reforming the DisGrace Period by Larry Seltzer
Opinion: Another step has been taken on the long, plodding path to maybe addressing the problem of Domain Tasting. ICANN GNSO has been studying the problem of Domain Tasting for months now in their usual thorough manner. I wrote about the study several months ago and said I expected no prompt action. They have gotten to the point of issuing an initial report. This report discusses the input received by the GNSO during the study.
http://www.esp.eweek.com/article/Reforming+the+DisGrace+Period/223167_1.aspx
Internet to fight domain 'name tasting'
ICANN is taking a preliminary step toward combating domain name tasting - the online equivalent of buying expensive clothes on a charge card only to return them for a full refund after wearing them to a party.
http://www.bradenton.com/business/story/323002.html
http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=187047
The F Root Agreement: Formalized Informality by Milton Mueller
The root server agreement between ICANN and ISC was published yesterday. As "agreements" go, this is a good one -- by which we mean, it reflects a peer relationship between ICANN and the root server operator and does no harm to the status quo, which is flexible and distributed. The contract, labelled a "Mutual Responsibilities Agreement" (MRA), constitutes a massive concession to distributed authority over the root server system. ICANN's Board should support it.
http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2008/1/11/3459562.html
NRO and ICANN Reaffirm Commitment to Relationship [news release]
In December 2007, the Number Resource Organization (NRO) and ICANN exchanged letters reaffirming their commitment to formalizing the legal relationship between the two organizations. The NRO letter, jointly-signed by the executives of the five Regional Internet Registries, stated the NRO's commitment to supporting ICANN, sought ICANN's acknowledgement of certain aspects of the role of the NRO, and committed to a deadline of one (1) year for formalizing the legal arrangements between the two organizations.
http://nro.net/archive/news/nro-icann-reaffirm.html
Web domains in Russian, Arabic, and Chinese to spring up?
At the moment, whatever language you speak, you have to enter a Web address in the English alphabet. An Internationalised Domain Name (or IDN) contains characters from non-Latin scripts like Russia's Cyrillic. It's a pilot project led by ICANN, a public-private partnership, which guides internet policy on web addresses.
http://www.russiatoday.ru/business/news/19659
ICANN Accountability and Transparency Document Released
ICANN released a final draft of a key accountability document that has been amended to incorporate additional community input, including that of the Governmental Advisory Committee. The Frameworks and Principles on Accountability and Transparency document has been in development since late 2006.
http://icann.org/announcements/announcement-10jan08.htm
ICANN: Global Policy Proposal for Remaining IPv4 Address Space – Background Report
Introduction: The development of Global Internet Number Resource Policies is the subject of an MoU between ASO/NRO and ICANN. There are also specific ICANN Board Procedures for handling global policy proposals in this context. The Board procedures also state that the Board can request ICANN staff to undertake an “early awareness” tracking of proposals for global policies under development in the addressing community. At its meeting on 20 November 2007, the Board resolved to request such tracking of the development of a global policy proposal for allocation of remaining IPv4 address space, currently being discussed in the Regional Internet Registries, or RIRs. The status overview presented below is compiled in response to this request and will be timely updated as developments proceed, for information to ICANN entities and the wider community.
http://icann.org/announcements/proposal-ipv4-report-29nov07.htm
'Dashboard' Allows Window into ICANN Performance
ICANN released the first version of a new 'Dashboard' that will offer measurements of ICANN's performance in numerous areas across the organization. "At this stage the ‘Dashboard’ has reports from Finance, IANA, and IETF request queue. We are looking for community feedback on this tool and will expand the reports available over time," said Dr Paul Twomey, ICANN's President and CEO.
http://icann.org/announcements/announcement-11jan08.htm
Possible ‘Next Steps’ in Dispute Resolution - Document released by ICANN for Public Notice
Following the posting of the Frameworks and Principles for Accountability and Transparency, ICANN published a document that countenances some possible additional improvements in dispute resolution mechanisms.
http://icann.org/announcements/announcement-2-11jan08.htm
Joint Project Agreement - ICANN's response
The Joint Project Agreement between the United States government and ICANN will have a mid-term review in March. As part of this review, the US government put out a Notice of Inquiry asking for comments on the continued transition to the private sector of the technical coordination and management of the Internet’s domain name and addressing system (DNS). ICANN has responded to this call with several documents: a section in our Annual Report; a letter of submission; and a table of achievements.
http://icann.org/
Do you believe in Transition? by Paul Levins
The ICANN Blog blog is one year old. What better way to celebrate that fact than by telling you about ICANN’s latest report card. Usually you get a report card when you transition from one grade or semester to another. This report card is all about transition too.
http://blog.icann.org/?p=262
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- (cc)TLD NEWS
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CENTR Roundup December 2007
CENTR have released their December 2007 round-up covering member ccTLD updates, CENTR surveys and domain statistics.
https://www.centr.org/main/news/4005-CTR.html
.cy (Cyprus) price reduction
.cy cc TLD announces new reduced fees for the license to use a domain name under .cy from 01/01/2008.
http://www.nic.cy/newfees.html
Spanish characters for .INFO
Registry Afilias adds Spanish characters to the list of localized character sets which can be registered in .INFO.
http://www.domainesinfo.fr/english/153/spanish-characters-for-info.php
One million .fr domain names
France is the latest of the ccTLDs to reach the one million .fr registrations. The milestone was reached on January 11.
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=3697
http://www.domainpulse.com/2008/01/11/one-million-fr-domain-names/
fr: France joins the millionaire club
The French extension is the latest country code Top Level Domain to reach one million domain names.
http://www.domainesinfo.fr/english/156/france-joins-the-millionaire-club.php
Luxembourg to Offer Investor-friendly Legal Environment for Domain Names by Patrick Vande Walle
EuroDNS, the Luxembourg registrar, used its well attended New Year party last Wednesday to invite the Minister of Telecoms, Jean-louis Schiltz to talk about a law voted at the end of December 2007. According to the Finance and Budget Commission Report on Draft Law 5801, Revenues generated from use of, or license to use, a Domain Name are exempted from Luxembourg corporate taxes up to 80%.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/811110_luxembourg_investor_sdomain_names/
mobi postpones premium-auction re-run
.mobi logoToday .mobi announced on their blog that they are postponing the controversial auction re-run, originally scheduled for January 23rd, 2008. According to the registry the auction was postponed in order also collect further suggestions and comments, which are to be emailed to premium@mtld.mobi.
http://www.domainnamenews.com/registries/mobi-postpones-premium-auction-re-run/1354
Update on Sunrise Numerical .nl Domains [news release]
In the sunrise for numerical domain names the validation of the applications has started. With regard to the number of domain names for which we received more than one application the notary public will prior to the validation determine by lottery which application will be validated first.
http://www.sidn.nl/ace.php/c,728,5475,,,,Update_Sunrise_Numerical_Domains.html
Policy review of the NZ Domain Dispute Resolution Service
The .nz Dispute Resolution Service (DRS) has been in effect for about a year and a half now and over that time 90 valid complaints were received whereby 26 proceeded to an expert determination and 21 of those resulted in a decision to transfer or cancel the domain.
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/domainspace/4377
Keeping .nz running
So who are the parties responsible for keeping the .nz domain space up an running smoothly? InternetNZ owns the .nz domain name registry and manages the .nz domain name system through the Domain Name Commission.
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/domainspace/4367
pl: Domain names secondary market
An increasing proportion of almost 800,000 Internet names with the “.pl” suffix is a part of the so called secondary market. Growth perspectives, possible threats and potential of the Polish domain market will be the topics discussed by participants of the first conference of this kind, entitled “Domain Names Secondary Market in Poland”, to be held on January 25 in Warsaw.
http://nask.pl/newsID/id/448
.tr registration applications from abroad [news release]
We would like to inform all our users that based on the decision DNS Working Group determined at their latest meeting took place on December 13th, 2007 the policies and rules in regards to foreign applications are changed. In accordance with the modifications, ".tr" registration applications which are made based on the foreign originated documents by individuals or legal entities established abroad, applicants are requested to prove that the phrase/name/letter string chosen as the domain name is either used in Turkey by the rightful owner (or the authorized company/individual) or they are in business venture to do so.
https://www.nic.tr/announcebox.php?PHPSESSID=120029981258172145252326537&ann_id=444
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- DNS SECURITY
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An Inside Look at the Russian Business Network
A new white paper published by the nonprofit botnet-tracker Shadowserver Foundation sheds some light on one segment of activity on the Russian Business Network (RBN). Shadowserver released its findings on malware associated with the so-called AS40989 group of interconnected IP networks on the RBN. Shadowserver gathered nearly 3,000 sample pieces of malware -- including Gozi, Goldun, Hupigon, Nurech, Nuklus, Pinch, Sinowal, Tibs, Xorpix, as well as dialers, downloaders, worms, adware, page hijackers, and proxies -- that communicated with the AS40989 network via HTTP connections.
http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=143001
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- DOMAIN DISPUTES
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Domain-Name Disputes at an All-Time High
Any securitization lawyers out there looking for work? We’ve got a suggestion. Litigate domain-name disputes! We love domain-name disputes. You know, like when Nutrisystem files a complaint against some cybersquatter who registered www.nutrisystems.com? Or the when F. Hoffmann-La Roche, the maker of Valium, files a grievance against someone who registered www.prescriptionvalium.com? Or when The Donald goes after some dude who registered www.trumptajmahal.com?
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2008/01/11/domain-name-disputes-at-an-all-time-high/
Expert: Alta. premier won't win web fight
But according to Michael Geist, Carleton University's Canada Research Chair on Internet and E-Commerce Law, Canada defends critics who use the domain names of people they're criticizing. "We've seen other cases at the federal level: Don Boudria, David McGuinty, both found their domains registered by the Defend Marriage Coalition, an opponent of same-sex marriage, when they were in favour of it," Geist said.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/MediaNews/2008/01/10/4765827-sun.html
ca: Expert expects preem to lose domain lawsuit
He's one of Canada's foremost experts and he says Premier Ed Stelmach is probably going to lose, big time, partly because he's not well known. No, he's not talking about Stelmach's prospects in an election; but Michael Geist does think Steady Eddie would be barking up the wrong blog if he takes on local writer David Cournoyer over the use of www.edstelmach.ca.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Alberta/2008/01/10/4765195-sun.html
Fake Stelmach profile appears on Facebook
In the wake of this week's Ed Stelmach domain-name fiasco, a fictitious profile of the premier appeared on Facebook yesterday morning.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/MediaNews/2008/01/12/4769512-sun.html
Steady Eddie's website woes
An unregistered domain name was just the beginning of Ed Stelmach’s online woes this week. On Tuesday, University of Alberta student Dave Cournoyer announced that he had received a legal threat from the premier for registering the web domain EdStelmach.ca and using it for his political blog.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2008/01/11/4768651.html
ca: A name is his domain, says Alberta premier [CBC News]
Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach is defending his decision to send lawyers after a young blogger who owns the domain name edstelmach.ca.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2008/01/10/stelmach-domain.html
Alberta premier has no regrets about legal threats against young blogger [Canadian Press]
... Media commentators denounced the premier as being heavy-handed and other bloggers quickly offered messages of support.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2008/01/10/4766492-cp.html
http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2008/01/11/4767460-sun.html
us: Adding an 'e' before a trademark in a domain name is dilution
Defendant was using evisa.com. Visa International Service Association sued and won: Defendant’s use of the EVISA mark weakens the ability of the VISA mark to identify its respective goods and services because internet users who enter the domain name evisa.com are not brought to Plaintiff’s website.
http://domaine.blogspot.com/2008/01/us-adding-e-before-trademark-in-domain.html
http://actualite.espace2001.com/Domain_Name___Nom_de_domaine__/2008/01/11/
Domain name dealer beats Maestro in dispute over maestro.co.uk
Payment card firm Maestro International has failed in its attempt to gain control of the domain name maestro.co.uk. The MasterCard subsidiary lost an appeal against a ruling in favour of a man who owns many other domain names that match famous brands.
http://out-law.com/page-8789
Showdown Looms Over Pirated-Media Directory
... Rather than operate underground, The Pirate Bay's operators court publicity. Last year, they gained control of an Internet domain name used by the International Federation of Phonographic Industries, a music trade group that is essentially the international version of the Recording Industry Association of America. The site, www.ifpi.com, was redubbed the International Federation of Pirate Interests. The London-based IFPI got the domain name back last month.
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB120001282486582581-jZERCP4GiQH7PWsRMfVDDLHI_CI_20080210.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,23038808-23850,00.html
Typosquatters ringing alarm bells
A growing number of websites are hoping you can't spell. According to a report released last month by McAfee, a US-based internet security company, more and more companies in the Middle East are trying to attract people to their websites by a tactic known as typo-squatting. It involves registering domain names with typographical errors, such as www.dubizzzle.com. The original website has only two 'z's.
http://www.gulfnews.com/business/Technology/10181322.html
us: Judge rules against highway patrol union
A judge says the union representing New Hampshire's highway patrol officers commitment trademark infringement when it registered Web site names similar to the one used by the New Hampshire Troopers Association.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2008/01/11/judge_rules_against_highway_patrol_union/
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=7610331
us: False Web site may bring suit
A Web site registered to an Ellensburg man is posting phony information about Ellensburg’s National Art Show & Auction that may lead to a civil lawsuit.
http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2008/01/11/news/doc4787bfe82bd29221252123.txt
A stolen domain highlights new web risks
As firms increasingly turn to the cloud for their computing needs, securing the desktop is no longer enough: The rise of hosted services is giving new opportunities to malware. Consider the case of blogger David Airey. Late last year he had an unpleasant surprise. His domain name had been transferred to a criminal without his knowledge. An email to the new owner resulted in a demand for money. In the meantime, his site had disappeared from the internet, and although he could start a new site, he had lost his Google search rank.
http://www.itweek.co.uk/itweek/comment/2206950/stolen-domain-highlights-web-3738555
http://www.whatpc.co.uk/itweek/comment/2206950/stolen-domain-highlights-web-3738555
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- MISCELLANEOUS
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Domain Name Front Running Practice Criticized [AP]
Network Solutions is facing criticisms for holding some in reserve as a consumer-protection measure, a move that also prevents interested parties from shopping around for better prices.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004118361_apdomainnamedispute10.html
http://www.thestate.com/technology-wire/story/281136.html
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/01/10/financial/f151924S69.DTL
http://news.smh.com.au/new-domain-name-practice-criticized/20080111-1le9.html
http://news.theage.com.au/new-domain-name-practice-criticized/20080111-1le9.html
Network Solutions stands by controversial name policy [IDG]
After testing the concept in December, the domain name registration company quietly began doing this over the past weekend. Potential customers who used the company's "Find a domain" search engine would suddenly find the domain names they had been searching for were registered to Network Solutions itself, making them temporarily unable to purchase the domain from another provider.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/01/10/Network-Solutions-stands-by-name-policy_1.html
http://www.nytimes.com/idg/IDG_002570DE00740E18002573CC0018C4AC.html
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/141256/network_solutions_stands_by_name_policy.html
NSI's New Domain Search 'Reserve' Policy Continues to Evolve
After 5 days of controversy, sniping, public relations statements and damage control, Network Solutions (NSI) has attempted to address the growing firestorm over allegations of Domain Name Front Running (DNFR). To be sure, there will still be debate about whether NSI was ever really motivated to protect consumers by reserving searched domains for 4 of the 5 day grace period. Certainly, NSI was also protecting itself against the prospect that consumers would use their domain availability search service and then register available domains with less expense registrar (no doubt a common occurrence).
http://tcattorney.typepad.com/anticybersquatting_consum/2008/01/dnfr-allegation.html
Network Solutions may change controversial domain-name policy
Domain-name registrar Network Solutions Inc. may back off its controversial new policy of automatically reserving a domain name once it has been the subject of a search on its Web site. ... "We're making refinements to the protection measure and there are discussions about giving people the option [of letting us hold the domain name], but right now we're holding it for four days," said Network Solutions spokeswoman Susan Wade.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9056778
Network Solutions amends Net registration process
Network Solutions ... has stepped back from some controversial elements of a new registration process. Network Solutions had implemented some changes in an attempt to curtail "front-running," a process in which a company registers a domain name as soon as somebody searches to see if it's available; front-running can turn a registrar into the exclusive holder of a domain and therefore potentially charge more for it than locked-out competing registrars.
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9847684-7.html
Are Registries Aiding And Abetting Front Running?
... Respectfully, this is spin. As many of those up in arms about this have pointed out, Network Solutions is effectively saying “we’re pre-emptively front running to help prevent others from front running”. My guess is most people would say “thanks but no thanks”. I’m concerned however about an aspect of Susan Wade’s statement that others haven’t made much of, namely that registries are involved in Front Running.
http://about.tucows.com/2008/01/09/are-registries-aiding-and-abetting-front-running/
NetSol Domain Registration Practice Criticized [AP]
In October, ICANN launched a probe into domain name front running and likened it to a stock broker buying or selling shares ahead of a client's trade, in anticipation of a movement in price. That is what Network Solutions is accused of doing with a new registration service that registers a domain for four days following a customer's search.
http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=57707
Network Solutions Slammed for New Domain Policy
Many are saying that Network Solutions is "front running" -- a scheme used by domain-name scammers to register domain names only to sell them later for higher prices than the initial fees. A Network Solutions spokesperson denied that its new policy is equivalent to front running because the company is not trying to profit from the resale of names.
http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=57726
http://www.cio-today.com/news/NetSol-Slammed-for-New-Domain-Policy/story.xhtml?story_id=02300243IF6A
http://www.sci-tech-today.com/news/NetSol-Slammed-for-New-Domain-Policy/story.xhtml?story_id=023002T7AFGY
http://www.newsfactor.com/news/NetSol-Slammed-for-New-Domain-Policy/story.xhtml?story_id=02300243IF6A
InfoWorld Daily Podcast
Networks Solutions stands firm on practice of automatically generating domain names that have been searched for, EU drops antitrust probe into Apple, former OLPC CTO looks to create $75 laptop, and more listen LISTEN!
http://weblog.infoworld.com/daily/archives/2008/01/infoworld_daily_491.html
Watching the registrars
... First, how could NSI management condone such obviously unethical and dubious business practices? Perhaps they just can't help themselves; there's a long and ugly corporate history of registry service mismanagement, which includes not preventing domain name piracy, frequently making serious administrative mistakes that cost users insane amounts of time and money . . . it goes on and on. Second, why doesn't ICANN do something about NSI? Why is it that ICANN is so ridiculously wimpy about reining in the mismanagement and abuse of registry services that NSI seems to indulge in regularly?
http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2008/011108backspin.html
Network Solutions defends frontrunning—to stop frontrunners
Domain registrar Network Solutions has come under fire this week for what some believe is "domain name frontrunning." The practice resulted in Network Solutions registering a previously-unregistered domain to itself immediately after someone searched for it, then holding the domain for four days before it could be purchased by someone else or at another registrar. But the company claims that it's merely trying to protect customers from others doing exactly that. Until there is more regulation over frontrunning from ICANN, this is the best it can come up with.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080110-network-solutions-defends-frontrunningto-stop-frontrunners.html
Network Solutions games net domain biz
Network Solutions is front running domain name registrations, temporarily preventing competitors from selling domains that web users show interest in. But the popular registrar insists this is merely a way of preventing others from front running.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/10/network_solutions_front_running_domain_registrations/
After furor, Network Solutions stands by name policy [IDG]
Network Solutions is standing by its controversial policy of automatically registering some domain names that are the subject of searches on the company's Web site.
http://www.itworld.com/Net/3499/network-solutions-stands-by-name-policy-080110/
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/011008-after-furor-network-solutions-stands.html
Tucows CEO on Network Solutions, Front Running
It’s been a few days since news first broke about Network Solutions’ new practice of reserving any domain searched for on its site. A lot of industry observers have weighed in on the practice, but most registrars have been relatively quiet.
http://domainnamewire.com/2008/01/11/tucows-ceo-on-network-solutions-front-running/
Domain registrations peak in new year rush
Sales of new domain names have spiked for the third year in a row this January, as businesses rush to register their company name in the new year. Domain name registration company Amenworld.com said it had seen a consistent rise in domain name sales in January and February since 2005, as people starting businesses as new year’s resolutions register their company’s online presence.
http://www.startups.co.uk/6678842907786010196/domain-registrations-peak-in-new-year-rush.html
Prominent Nigeria bank domain expires
I have had to blog a few times about domain names of important Nigerian institutions expiring. I never imagined that a day would come when I would blog about a bank not renewing its domain name on time.
http://www.africanpath.com/p_blogEntry.cfm?blogEntryID=3091
Athens Olympic Games website lost for a pittance
Internet users wishing to find information on the Athens 2004 Olympic Games are no longer able to access its official website after the government failed to renew the rights to the domain name.
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100013_12/01/2008_92056
EuroDNS Applauds the Consequences of the Law of 21 December 2007 on the Domain Name Industry [news release]
A key player in the Domain Name market for more than five years, EuroDNS is proud to operate from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, first European Member State to offer an investor-friendly legal environment for Domain Names
http://www.centredaily.com/business/technology/story/327903.html
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- DOMAINING
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All-Star Lineup Headlines DOMAINfest Global Agenda
DomainSponsor, the domain monetization business of Oversee.net and organizing party of DOMAINfest Global, a premier conference for the domain industry, today announced the final DOMAINfest agenda, which features global experts who will cover all aspects of the domain industry. The event takes place at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Hollywood, California from January 21-23, 2008. The agenda and speaker information are available on the event website at www.domainfest.com.
http://www.domainpulse.com/2008/01/10/all-star-lineup-headlines-domainfest-global-agenda/
Understanding Search Usability - Part 2
In part 1 of Understanding Search Usability, Shari Thurow looked at search usability and the wide variety of search behaviors it addresses. SEO professionals tend to focus on query-related behavior, and web site usability professionals tend to focus on browsing behaviors. When both groups open their eyes and realize that all of these search behaviors are related, then real progress can be made toward creating and maintaining a search-friendly, user-friendly web site that converts visitors into buyers, subscribers, attendees, students, or [insert desired target user group].
http://searchengineland.com/080110-145013.php
Domain Name Selection for SEO
The Registration of domain names is a thriving business on the Internet today - this is evident by the high bids that companies are willing to pay in Per-Per-Click (PPC) engines to attract potential customers for domain name registration.
http://www.anyarticle.net/Article/Domain-Name-Selection-for-SEO/75412
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- AFTERMARKET
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Building brands with the perfect domain names [reg req'd]
When Gregg Weiss wanted to create a customer-focused Web site for those looking to build pools, he considered the ideal domain names that would logically draw traffic. The result is FreePoolQuotes.com. Launched in December 2006, the URL steers visitors to a site that provides information, links and forms that people can fill out to find a local pool contractor.
http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2008/01/14/newscolumn1.html
Long Island Domain Name, LongIsland.info Up for Sale on Ebay
What could be Long Island’s most precious piece of net real estate left is up for sale on the world commerce site Ebay. LongIsland.info, a domain name and web site with clear appeal to any business or person located on Long Island is currently being offered up for sale buy it’s owners on the popular auction site with bidding opening up at just $1,000.00.
http://newsli.com/2008/01/13/long-island-domain-name-longislandinfo-up-for-sale-on-ebay/
'Ilovemusiccity.com' domain name rights will go to highest bidder
The Internet domain name "ilovemusiccity.com" is up for grabs. Nashville's Ashley Hayes has owned the domain since 1999 and says she doesn't have the time to give it the attention it deserves to reach its full potential.
http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2008/01/07/daily28.html
http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2008/01/07/daily28.html
DomainTools Auction Sells $30,000 in Domains
DomainTools' January auction has concluded with lackluster results. Based on sales completed during the live portion of the auction, I calculate $31,800 in sales with a median price of $1,000. Domains are still available for purchase, however, and the number will increase before everything is said in done. Already a couple late bids have been received.
http://domainnamewire.com/2008/01/10/domaintools-auction-sells-30000-in-domains/
Porn.fr sells for €30,000
The domain name porn.fr sold recently for €30,000 through Sedo according to a report in Génération-NT.com (in French). The article notes there is still a large gap between .com and .fr with the prices paid for domain names, but Sedo suggest there are good bargains to be had in the .fr ccTLD.
http://www.domainpulse.com/2008/01/13/pornfr-sells-for-e30000/
Valuable French domains
Porn.fr has just been sold for 30 000 euros, making it the most expensive .FR in documented history.
http://www.domainesinfo.fr/english/155/valuable-french-domains.php
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- NON-ENGLISH NEWS
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Drehscheibe für den Handel mit geistigem Eigentum
Der Handel mit Domain-Namen soll ein neues Standbein der Luxemburger Wirtschaft werden. Grundlage ist ein neues Gesetz, das Ende vergangenen Jahres verabschiedet wurde.
http://www.tageblatt.lu/edition/article.asp?ArticleId=11222
US-Aufsicht über private Netzverwaltung soll enden
Die ICANN braucht keinen direkten staatlichen Aufpasser mehr. Diese Einschätzung vertritt die private Netzverwaltung in einer heute veröffentlichten Stellungnahme gegenüber der National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Wenn der laufende Vertrag zwischen NTIA und ICANN, das sogenannte Joint Project Agreement (JPA), im September 2009 ausläuft, bedürfe es keiner weiteren Verlängerung. Peter Dengate Thrush, Vorsitzender des ICANN-Direktoriums, rief in der Stellungnahme, die der turnusmäßigen Überprüfung der ICANN gemäß dem JPA dient, die Internetgemeinde dazu auf, die US-Verwaltung davon in Kenntnis zu setzen, sollte man das Konzept einer unabhängigen, vollständig privatwirtschaftlich organisierten ICANN unterstützen.
http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/101618
ICANN – neue WHOIS-Regeln veröffentlicht
Die Diskussionen um die so genannten WHOIS-Daten, den in der Regel öffentlich einsehbaren Kontaktdaten zu jedem Domain-Inhaber, halten auch im neuen Jahr an. Mit einer Neuregelung der WHOIS-Policy geht nun die Internet-Regierung ICANN einen ersten Schritt hin zu mehr Datenschutz.
http://www.domain-recht.de/magazin/domain-news-2008/icann-neue-whois-regeln-veroeffentlicht-id667120.html
schmidt.de – OLG Celle gibt Fernsehsender Recht
Dem Oberlandesgericht Celle oblag es, nach einer kleinen Pause, in der man auf eine Entscheidung des Bundesgerichtshofs in dem Streit um die Domain grundke.de wartete, die Berechtigung der SAT1 GmbH an der Inhaberschaft und Nutzung der Internetadresse schmidt.de zu überprüfen. Dank der BGH-Entscheidung war dies letztlich einfach.
http://www.domain-recht.de/magazin/domain-news-2008/schmidt-de-olg-celle-gibt-fernsehsender-recht-id667121.html
ICANN will Unabhängigkeit
Die ICANN hat am Mittwoch den von ihr verantworteten Teil des Halbzeit-Zwischenberichts über den Stand der Erfüllung des Abkommens zwischen der ICANN und dem US-Handelsministerium veröffentlicht.
http://futurezone.orf.at/it/stories/248545/
Storm-Botnetz kann gemietet werden
F-Secure hat neue Aktivitäten des weltweiten Storm-Botnets gemeldet. Dem Sicherheitsanbieter zufolge werden neuerdings verschiedene Phishing-Seiten auf Domains gehostet, die ursprünglich dem Storm-Net zugeordnet waren. Daraus schließt F-Secure, dass Phisher Teile des Storm-Botnetzes mieten.
http://www.zdnet.de/security/news/0,39029460,39160123,00.htm
Un million de .fr
Les noms de domaines en .fr viennent d'atteindre le million aujourd'hui. La France, plus particulièrement ses PME et TPE, reste à la traîne des autres pays européens.
http://www.01net.com/editorial/369447/un-million-de-.fr/
http://mailclub.info/article.php3?id_article=690
Le .FR est millionnaire
Dans la nuit du 11 janvier 2008, la zone française a atteint le million de noms enregistrés.
http://www.domainesinfo.fr/extension/1395/france-le-fr-est-millionnaire.php
30 000 euros pour le nom de domaine Porn.fr
Le nom de domaine à l'extension .fr le plus cher de l'histoire est le sans équivoque Porn.fr. Son homologue en .com est toutefois bien plus onéreux.
http://www.generation-nt.com/porn-nom-domaine-sedo-fr-actualite-66305.html
http://mailclub.info/article.php3?id_article=689
Noms de domaine : le registrar NetWork Solutions critiqué
La firme NetWork Solutions, registrar Internet qui propose de bloquer des noms de domaine (NDD) lorsqu'une recherche Whois est effectuée, fait face à de nombreuses critiques.
http://www.generation-nt.com/noms-domaine-network-solutions-actualite-66472.html
Network Solutions soulève la polémique sur l'enregistrement de nom de domaines
Si vous allez sur le site de Network Solutions et que vous effectuez une recherche sur un nom de domaine que vous envisagez d'enregistrer, vous serez surpris de constater que, s'il n'est pas déjà utilisé par une autre entreprise, il est la propriété de Network Solutions.
http://www.lemondeinformatique.fr/actualites/commentaires-network-solutions-souleve-la-polemique-sur-l-enregistrement-de-nom-de-domaines-25025.html
Les députés bretons défendent-ils les langues régionales ?
La proposition d'amendement de Marc Le Fur est l'occasion de rappeler les engagements pris et les actes passés en faveur des langues régionales par nos députés bretons.
http://www.agencebretagnepresse.com/fetch.php?id=9254
Un registraire «bloque» des noms de domaine [AP]
Network Solutions a décidé de mettre en réserve pendant quatre jours les noms de domaine qui n'ont pas été enregistrés suite à des recherches effectuées sur son site.
http://technaute.cyberpresse.ca/nouvelles/texte_complet.php?id=81,12399,0,012008,1408077.html
Moins de noms de domaine '.be' en 2007
Le nombre de sites web avec le nom de domaine '.be' a baissé l'année dernière. Il y avait 796.071 sites '.be' en 2006, contre 736.498 en 2007. Ces chiffres ont été collectés par l'association belge de l'enregistrement des noms de domaine internet (DNS).
http://www.rtbf.be/info/belganews/BELGANEWS21340704_5
Red.es denuncia un intento de fraude masivo a titulares de dominios ".es"
Una empresa alemana ofrece a estos usuarios un falso servicio de actualización de datos por 958 euros al año: Los titulares de dominios ".es" están recibiendo en los últimos días cartas remitidas en nombre del "Registro Internet de España" a través de las cuales se les solicita que actualicen sus datos básicos. Asimismo, se les ofrece la posibilidad de proponer tres palabras clave de búsqueda con las que se les podrá localizar en el citado registro que utiliza la página web. Todo ello por 958 euros anuales.
http://www.consumer.es/web/es/tecnologia/2008/01/10/173725.php
http://blogdedominios.blogspot.com/2008/01/redes-denuncia-un-intento-de-fraude.html
http://es.noticias.yahoo.com/consumer/20080110/ttc-red-es-denuncia-un-intento-de-fraude-56149c7_1.html
http://www.clminnovacion.com/actualidad/noticias/articulo.htm?REG=9670
Quien tiene una arroba tiene un tesoro
Apenas unos minutos después de que el Rey espetara a Hugo Chávez su famoso «¿Por qué no te callas?», avispados cibernautas registraban en Internet la famosa frase en todos sus dominios: '.com', '.net', '.org', '.biz', '.es', '.info' y '.eu'. La idea era adelantarse al aluvión de visitas que se presumía que iba a tener la noticia. Al fin y al cabo, en este negocio, el que no corre, vuela. Y ni que decir tiene que quien no llega el primero, pierde. Se trata de apropiarse del dominio y, después, estudiar si conviene más su venta o simplemente llenarlo de anuncios patrocinados para conseguir ingresos directos.
http://www.diariosur.es/20080114/sociedad/quien-tiene-arroba-tiene-20080114.html
La industria de dominios sigue en alza
Erica Saito, gerente regional de Estrategia de Negocios de Nombres de Dominio para América Latina, comentó a este medio las conclusiones principales del informe que realizó la empresa. La ejecutiva aseguró que ya existen 1,4 millones de extensiones .ar dentro de un universo de 77 millones de dominios
http://www.canal-ar.com.ar/noticias/noticiamuestra.asp?Id=5321
http://blogdedominios.blogspot.com/2008/01/la-industria-de-dominios-sigue-en-alza.html
Network Solutions y el registro de dominios tras consultar un usuario
Networks Solutions registra los dominios que los usuarios consultan. De esta forma, cuando alguien busca si un dominio está libre con las herramientas de Networks Solutions, éste lo registra bajo su propio nombre, de manera que si uno luego va a buscarlo a otro registrador de dominios más baratos (casi cualquier, Networks Solutions es bastante carete), no pueda adquirirlo. Para que además no les cueste nada esta política, el bloqueo dura cuatro días, ya que a partir del quinto tendrían que pagar a Verisign.
http://www.error500.net/networks-solutions-registro-dominios-consultar
DECISION OFICIAL PARA REGULARIZAR DOMINIOS EN FORMA GRATUITA
El gobierno provincial puso en marcha un mecanismo tendiente a producir la regularización de escrituras en 50 mil viviendas en forma gratuita, como parte del plan que articula el ministerio de Justicia, según quedó expresado en la reunión de trabajo del área que encabezó hoy el gobernador Daniel Scioli.
http://www.laautenticadefensa.com.ar/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=51837
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(c) David Goldstein 2008
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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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