A New TLD for Protected Zones on the Internet?
The fight between Net Supporters
and the Real World Copyright Protectors would be a long drawn process since
it involves the resolution of a conflict between two distinct civilizations-One
which is established and having all legal support and the other which is
emerging and holds the promise for the future of the Global Civilization
but lacks any legal support.&
..in this connection
that Naavi.com proposes that the Cyber World should create a “Protected
Zone”.
Detailed Article Here
Google Keeps evidence that the Community Needs.
The increasing number of
objections being raised on the Google search engine against its practice
of caching web pages and serving them to the public has once again opened
the debate whether Copy right Protection is being allowed to kill the technological
innovations which has made Internet what it is today...
Detailed Article Here
Digital Copyright Issues in Canada
The Canadian Government has issued a consultative paper on Copytight issues
in the Digital media for public comments. The paper and the comments make an interesting and educative reading.
Details Here
Google Under Attack
The popular Google search engine is under attack from Copyright supporters
for "Caching" the searched pages in the Google server. This is a popular service which enables serving
of search results quickly from the cached server. However many Copyright supporters have expressed a reservation
that caching web pages without express permission of the owners of the page is a violation of Copyright principles
. This view has reopened the basic debate on whether Copyright protection can be allowed to destabilize the Internet since
caching is the basic feature of every web browser, proxy server and offline browser including Internet Explorer.
Privacy Compliance of Websites
Privacy advocates are developing a software agent that scans a website for Privacy
violation possibilites and alert web surfers.
Details from ZDNET Here
Web Standards and Patent Regime
W3C, the web standards development organisation is proposing a new system where certain standards
approved by them may involve patent rights of developers for which a royalty payment may be mandatory.
The move has raised protests since the "Standardisation" and "Patent backed regimentation" has an inbuilt
conflict.
Details From ZDNET Here
Beware of the Vote Virus
A new virus that comes via an e-mail asking the receipient to vote on whether USA
should go to war or not over the September 11 terrorist attack is said to be on the prowl.
Details Here
Hackers and Terrorists
The proposed anti terrorist bill discussed in USA is expected to
declare a Hacker as a "Terrorist" under certain circumstances and if so the hackers may
end up with a life imprisonment.
Copy of the Patriot Act Draft
Anti Cyber-Terrorism Strategy Required
With the threat of increased Cyber terrorism on the wake of the US crusade against the Talibans, the need
for international cooperation in Cyber patrolling as well as Cyber Crime prevention has assumed greater
importance.
We suppose that Mr Pramod Mahajan will take the lead in setting up an
Anti Cyber Terrorism taskforce in India and develop into a global force.
Related Article
Cyber Elections.. Is it feasible?
With the enactment of the Information
Technology Act 2000 the electronic document have got legal recognition.
The increasing use of 'Electronic Voting Machines' in the elections
to record, process and store the votes cast to record the votes cast will
probably bring section 2(t) of the Information Technology act 2000 into
play...Will this lead to a better voting system?
Mr P.A.S.Pati Discusses the issues involved
Details here.
Related Article
Cyber Crime Treaty in Europe Takes Shape
The first international convention on Cyber Crime
has been approved by the Council of Europe Ministers' Deputies.
international convention on cybercrime. This will set a common criminal policy on
the misuse of computer networks and electronic information for terrorist or illegal activity.
The US will be one of the non-member states signing up to the agreement.
More in ZDNet
Internet Society opposes DMCA
The arrest of the Russian programmer Dmitry Sklyarov has raised the
decible levels of protest against the DMCA. The latest to join in the protest is the Internet Society which overseas the
Internet Standards.
More in ZDNet
Terrorist Attack on the Cyber World Could Shake you up
The recent attacks of terrorists on the "Symbol of America" has once
again focussed the attention of the Global community on the dangers of
Terrorism. .....
Americans can now expect similar attacks on their Cyber world. First
there can be attacks on Yahoo.com, Hotmail, Mcafee, or MSN
web sites the symbols of Cyber world...
Details here.
The World Should Now Change For the Better
Naavi.com expresses its profound sympathies to the people of USA and the relatives
of all affected people living elsewhere in the world, on the tragedy
inflicted on them by the terrorist forces.
The tragedy which unfolded before our eyes on the TV on the evening (IST) of 11th September, 2001,
has brought back the memories of the serial Mumbai Bomb blasts in India on March 12 1993. Today the attack
on the World Trade Center has reminded the World of how Mumabaites and Indians must have felt during the Bombing of
the Stock Exchange Building followed by several similar blasts. the whole world is now
calling for counter action including a counter war to put an end to all acts of terrorism in the world.
Those politicians and Human Rights Activists who condemned and continue to condemn the reactions to the Mumbai attacks more
than the attack itself, will now have to find excuses why this attack on America is different. Policy makers in
USA who have all along been following double standards and indirectly suportive of anti Indian forces
promoting terrorism will have to now admit thier mistake.
Let's hope that from behind this great global tragedy, a new world order of
understanding emerges where USA will shed its double standards and support India in its fight against
terrorism.
Indian Posts- Creating A Potential Minefield ?
It is reported in some circles that the Department of Post plans to
create a database of the Indian population in view of the massive marketing
value attached to it
...The Concern is, Will this be leading to violation of Privacy Rights?
Detailed Article Here.
Violation of Copyright of Material on the Web
Web is an unique publication medium that has posed its own challenges
to the Copyright world like no other medium has earlier done...
While protection of Copyright on digital medium not on the web is one
issue which is being tackled through "Digital Padlocks", "Hidden Digital
Explosives" etc, the protection of copyright on the web is complicated
by the confusion as to whether the material is in "Public Domain" and whether
its reproduction is a "Fair Use".
.. it should legally be mandated that the onus of proving that a material
is "Not Meant for Public Domain" should be on the Digital Copyright owner.
Detailed Article Here.
Cyber Ethics under discussion
Following the further revelations on the means adopted by Tehelka.com
the issue of Cyber Ethics has once again come for discussion in the Indian media.
More in bizpapertoday
VOIP still Banned in India
DOT has issued a show cause notice to Wipro Net for having allowed one of
its clients who had a co-hosting facility use the facility for VOIP calls. While it is opined
that VOIP can be used over an internal corporate network, it cannot be provided over a
network under the ISP license.
More in Newsbytes.com
A New Principle on Copyright Ownership
The Supreme Court decision in the copyright case regarding the television
serial "Yey Jo Hai Zindagi has enunciated an important principle
of law regarding the ownership of Copyrights.
This principle that "IP belongs to the Creator unless transferred by
a valid contract" will also apply..in other cases.
Details here.
Cyber Police Station Inaugurated
In a development of significant importance to the Netizens of India,
the Police authorities in Karnataka has announced the setting up a Cyber Police Staion (http://ccps.karnatakastatepolice.org)which will acept online Complaints
from the public on Cyber Crimes. The Police Station is shortly becoming operational.
Related Story in The Hindu
Related Story in ET
Convergence Bill What's in Store?
Initial reports about the revised draft of the Covergence Bill
to be presented in the Parliament indicates that separate licensing for
Internet-enabled services like e-mail and telephony-based services as suggested in
the initial draft of the bill is being delted. It is also reported that
the provision on empowerment of Government officials to intercept e-mail, phone
conversation or data transmission of non accredited journalists on any communication network
has also been deleted. Full particulars of the revision are awaited.
More in Business Standard
The Great Battle of Copyrights
After the celebrated Napster case, which received a flak from the Internet Community despite the legal victory, the recording industry in USA is moving
in the direction of introducing technological barriers to Copyright protection. Is it Fair? Legally permissible? Does it require new legislation?..
Read the Detailed Story here.
Internet banned in Afghanistan
In a predictable move, Afghanistan has banned the use of Internet to prevent
free flow of information from and to this Taliban ruled country.
More in nando.net
Cabinet Approves Convergence Bill
It has been reported that the Central Cabinet has approved the Convergence Bill
which is slated to be introduced in the Parliament shortly.
More in Sify.com
Beware of Human Rights !
In UK a human rights activists are questioning not only the rights of the
employers to watch the e-mails of the employees but also the right of the employee to telephone
the employees at residence. Is there a lesson here for the Indian law makers?
Article in bbc.co.uk
Is Reverse Discrimination Being Practiced on Netizens?
While Digital Divide is often a concern of regulators in many countries, some of the recent developments
in Cyber Laws have raised a question of whether Computer Crimes are being treated with an unnecessary
harshness. For example, if a you read through your neighbours papers kept in his filing cabinet,
you may not be imprisoned. But if you read his electronic documents in a Computer, you may end up
being accused of "hacking". Naavi.com had raised this issue while discussing the
Bal Bharathi School boy case. A debate on this line has now ensued in Australia which may
be interesting for the readers.
Related Article in Standard.comt
Spam Laws Coming to SMS Messaging
With Convergence concept catching on, text messages over telephonic instruments
will soon come under the scope of Spam..or sending unsolicited messages.
Related Article in ZD Net
Mcafee's Patent ..A Defensive Move ?
The news that McAfee has been granted a patent on its technology and
business model for delivering software as a service through Web browsers
has created lot of commotion in the IT industry....
we hope that Mcafee would not go the Amazon way in antagonizing the public
with an unfair use of the Patent as it could hurt the progress of the Company
inspite of the best of technology and services
Details here.
Naavi To Join Hands with Deltagram
In a decisive move to expand the scope of his activities, Naavi has now joined hands with Deltagram, a
Company based in Chennai which is in the process of creating a Communication network in India and
carry various Communication enabled products and services.
Details here.
Wireless Local Loop Launched
In a development of far reaching consequence, public telephone service on a local
wireless loop was launched in Patna on the Indian Independence Day. Battling the various legal challenges
from Mobile operators, Mr Ram Vilas Paswan, the Minister of Telecommunication moved the Supreme Court
and has taken the bold initiative in launching the service.Mr Paswan has also
said that the ministry was taking steps for providing telephone facility to every village
in the country by the end of the year 2002.
This development along with the private sector initiative of
companies like Deltagram which are trying to bring many communication enabled services
in the rural sector, promises to take the digital revolution right to the villages of India.
With such a vast expansion in the Telecom services the impact of the Convergence Bill
assumes even more importance for the society.
Let's keep our fingers crossed and watch whether the Bill will be rushed through the
Parliament and if so with what modifications.
A Declaration of Independence by Netizens?
Cyber Space which was born free is today a fertile ground for all kinds
of regulations. India is unfortunately in the forefront of such restrictive
legislation through the proposed Convergence Act...Mishandling of the
regulations by people who donot understand the nature of the Cyber Space
has only contributed to alienation of the Netizen population from the regulatory
regime.
The seriousness of the problem can be seen from the emergence of a community
of Netizens who have expressed their desire to "Declare Independence" (Visit
http://www.atlantys.org/).....
Naavi.com is interested in developing an acceptable model
of Cyber Democracy which is built on the principle of Rule of the Netizens,
by the Netizens and for the Netizens...
The difference that we advocate is that unlike the Atlantys.org scheme,
the suggested Cyber Democracy scheme should not declare independence from
the existing legal regimes as this is confrontationist and inconstent
with the practical requirements.
I would invite suggestions and participation from the public in India
and elsewhere on the feasibility of this proposition.
Naavi
August 7, 2001
Detailed Story here.
New Nasscom Chief Identified
After a considerable gap of time Nasscom has finally found a candidate for the
prestigeous post of the President. According to the chairman Mr Phiroz Vandrevala, former head of
Discovery Communications India and ISRO official Mr Kiran Karnik will assume
office as President shortly. He is likely to be assisted by three Vice Presidents to
look after different responsibilities.
Naavi.com wishes the new appointee a successful tenure at the office
and hopes that the aspirations of the IT industry would be fulfilled to make India an
IT super power on a global scale.
Consequent to the expected passage of the Convergence Bill the IT industry
is in great danger of being engulfed under a host of regulations primarily aimed at the
Visual media which also become applicable to the Internet media.
Naavi.com urges Mr Karnik to keep the Cyber Space in India free from
debilitating regulations now planned through the proposed Convergence Bill and the amendments to the Income
Tax Act..
Naavi
August 5, 2001
E-Governance is not E-Purchase only.
Several State Governments have been pursuing various projects under
E-Governance....However most of the current activities of the State Governments seem
to stop at buying Computers at various departments. Without an adequate
computerization of the work content, most of the Computers end up
as mere status symbols on the desk top of executives....
Low cost last mile connectivity is the key to increased public participation
in E-Governance initiatives....Low Initial Cost and pay as you use
concepts alone can generate better adoption rate for the
new technology rather than high cost technical gizmos.
It is time that E-Govenance projects of such nature are identified and
implemented first so that the officials and the public start experiencing
the benefits of technology. On the other hand if the emphasis is more on
"Huge Investments" because this is attractive for sanctioning authorities,
then the E-Governance projects just become "E-Purchase" projects.
Detailed Story here.
Taxing E-Commerce-India to set precedent that can Boomerang
We have all heard of the story of the "Goose That Laid the Golden Egg".
Time has come to remind the Indian Government about this story as some
of the steps that the Government is trying to initiate on the E-Commerce
Taxation front is likely to destroy the foundation of the industry itself.
According to a report which recently appeared in Times of India, Central
Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) chairman A. Balasubramanian has said
that the definition of "Permanent Establishment" envisaged in Income Tax
laws has to be changed as many of the foreign companies engaged in e-commerce
may operate in India without having a physical presence here....
This
idea of re-defining "Permanent Residence" to include parts of "Cyber
Space" is ill-advised and needs to be dropped.
Detailed Story here.
