.ORG May Adopt DNSSEC

  Public Interest Registry (PIR), one of the more progressive domain extensions, may be the first major top level domain extension to adopt the DNA Security Extension (DNSSEC) on .ORG top level domains. The system is a method of authentication that helps to ensure that clients (such as a home computer) requesting a particular domain name is sent to the appropriate IP address hosting that Read More

Spam Turns 30

  Saturday, May 3, 2008 was the 30th anniversary of bulk e-mailing, popularly known as spamming. On May 3, 1978 an employee of Digital Equipment Company mass-mailed some of his colleagues an advertisement for a computer for sale over ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), which was a technological precursor to the Internet. Unsurprisingly, many of the recipients found the unsolicited Read More

FBI Pushes for ISP Data Retention

  The FBI is renewing its push for legislation that would mandate that ISPs keep records of its users’ activities for longer periods of time. Records retained would be available for review by police in cases where a search of such records is warranted. The FBI’s proposed length of time for retention of records is two year. Types of data retained could be as minimal as IP addresses assigned to each Read More

Comcast Proposes P2P Policy

  Comcast is publicly proposing a “P2P Bill of Rights and Responsibilities,” which would apparently define certain obligations of peer to peer application users on the Comcast data network. Reports indicate that the “Bill of Rights” would align itself with “self–regulation” standards as to content, such as movie and television ratings, which Comcast asserts would help to curb copyright infringement. Critics Read More

FCC & Local Role of Broadcasters

  A topic that is garnering increased interest in recent years, particularly in the age of substantial media consolidation, is the “local role” of broadcasters in servicing their communities. The FCC continues to mandate that broadcasters meet certain standards of community service, such as providing programming of interest to local audiences, playing local artists, and otherwise “being a part of the Read More

Menhart Testifies on DC Anti-Spam

  CyberLaw Attorney Eric Menhart recently testified as an expert guest before the Council of the District of Columbia on the Council’s proposed Spam Deterrence Act of 2007. A copy of his testimony is available here. Menhart recommended that the proposed bill calculate damages on a per message basis, eliminating exceptions for “an established business relationship,” and including liability for “rogue” ISPs Read More

Verizon, ATT Win Spectrum

  The winners of the auctioned spectrum were announced today. As expected, Verizon Wireless and ATT were the big winners. While billions of dollars were spent on this spectrum by the firms, there is little question that the investment was a good one. Rights to this resource will position both ATT and Verizon as long term wireless powerhouses for years to come. Read More

Spectrum Sales Nets 19.6 Billion Dollars

  The FCC’s auction of spectrum being vacated by analog television netted the agency $19.6 billion that will be used to help with the transition to over-the-air digital television. This amount represented more money raised that all previous spectrum auctions combined. The winner of the auction will not be named for some time, but most followers expect to see Verizon Wireless or AT&T Wireless eventually Read More

Text Messaging New War on Spam

  The new front in the war on spam: text messaging to mobile phones.   While the “classic” spamming techniques via e-mail are as strong as ever, the wireless phone and the ever-increasing fascination with text messaging is accelerating the use of text spam. According to this article, consumers in the United States are expected to receive about 1.5 billion spam text messages this year, up from 1.1 Read More

Registrar Sued for Holding Domain Names

  A lawsuit seeking class action status has been filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against Network Solutions and ICANN. The suit arises under Network Solutions’ practice of “holding” domain names for a set period of time after a potential registrant searches for the names. If the potential registrant does not immediately purchase the name Network Solutions itself Read More