Megaupload founder described the Megabox project as “..a site that will soon allow artists to sell their creations direct to consumers and allowing artists to keep 90% of earnings.”
In a phone conversation Dotcom confirmed to TorrentFreak that the project is indeed making progress, and he promised to share further details in the days to come.
It’s certainly not dead, as the major music labels might have hoped.
More:
http://torrentfreak.com/kim-dotcom-artists-rejoice-megabox-is-not-dead-120621/
“When people built ships and went to the sea, countries looked to conquer the sea to stop people attacking them, the same paradigm is true of space, the same paradigm is true of cyber.”
Previously:
Boiling Cauldron Filled With US Govt, Israel, Microsoft, CIA, NSA, Flame, Duqu And Stuxnet. Only Ingredients Missing Are Google, Apple and Facebook
http://vrritti.com/2012/06/20/boiling-cauldron-filled-with-us-govt-israel-microsoft-cia-nsa-flame-duqu-and-stuxnet-only-ingredients-missing-are-google-apple-and-facebook/
The IPO has published (40-page/450KB PDF) a summary of responses it received to a consultation it launched in December last year on government plans to reform the UK’s copyright framework. The proposals included creating an exception to copyright that would allow researchers to use ‘data mining’ techniques without fear of falling foul of copyright law.
More:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/06/21/publishers_reserachers_clash_over_data_mining_exception/
RBS and Natwest have failed to register inbound payments for up to three days, customers have reported, leaving people unable to pay for bills, travel and even food. The banks – both owned by RBS Group – have confirmed that technical glitches have left bank accounts displaying the wrong balances and certain services unavailable. There is no fix date available.
More:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/06/21/rbs_natwest_tech_glitch_banking_freeze/
Dutch language news article:
http://www.security.nl/artikel/41965/1/IP-adressen_Nederlandse_SCADA-systemen_online.html
ESET’s research shows that the worm steals files and sends them to email accounts located in China. ESET has worked with Chinese ISP Tencent, Chinese National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center and Autodesk, the creator of AutoCAD, to stop the transmission of these files. ESET confirms that tens of thousands of AutoCAD drawings, primarily from users in Peru, were leaking at the time of the discovery. ESET has made a free stand-alone cleaner available at ESET.com.
RT:Is it a battle between Wikileaks and big corporations and governments?
KH: I see it as a battle against corruption, lies and secrecy.
RT: Who do you think is going to win?
KH: Well, it’s hard to say but let’s hope that Rupert Murdoch was right in early 1950s when he was an editor in Australia, where he wrote in an editorial that in the race between truth and secrecy the truth will always win. I hope he remembers his words himself though some others doubt it…
More:
http://www.rt.com/news/wikileaks-assange-work-hrafnsson-348/
And it isn’t just this week’s announcements that did it. This has been building all year.
More:
http://gizmodo.com/5889659/microsoft-is-the-most-exciting-company-in-tech-hands-down
Amazon is applying for 76 new top-level-domains. Sure looks like the company wants to reshape itself
The Apple cofounder stopped in to visit Kim DotCom, the accused video pirate, on a recent trip to New Zealand.
Kim DotCom has appeared to receive endorsements from a long list of celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys and Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas. Now, add the name Steve Wozniak.
During a recent trip to New Zealand, Wozniak visited DotCom’s home and took several photographs with the MegaUpload founder who is also the man accused by the United States of criminal copyright violations, money laundering and wire fraud.
DotCom discussed the meeting in a Twitter post and thanked Woz for supporting the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a group that advocates for tech companies and Internet users.
“MegaWoz. Great guy & supporter of EFF,” DotCom wrote from @KimDotcom. “EFF is helping to give Mega users their files back. Thanks Woz & EFF.”
Most of the other celebs previously mentioned took part in a music video DotCom produced. These connections to the famous have helped create DotCom’s flamboyant reputation. Before launching MegaUpload in 2005, he was a well-known hacker, street racer and also made news for allegedly being involved in an insider trading scandal in his home country of Germany.
The United States is trying to extradite DotCom and a hearing in New Zealand to decide the matter is scheduled for August.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57457626-93/steve-wozniak-visits-with-megauploads-kim-dotcom/
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, or ACTA, has been rejected by the European Parliament’s trade committee, the opinion of which is a major influence on the wider parliament.
See also:
‘ACTA’s death would resonate worldwide’
http://www.rt.com/news/acta-inta-vote-zimmermann-340/
After earlier attempts through other courts and processes, two of the key figures behind the creation of The Pirate Bay have announced what could be their last throw of the dice to avoid imprisonment. Peter Sunde and Fredrik Neij, two of the co-founders of the infamous torrent site, have now filed appeals with the European Court of Human Rights.
Much more:
http://torrentfreak.com/pirate-bay-founders-file-appeals-with-human-rights-court-120621/
The Pirate Bay used to be the 39th most popular website in the United Kingdom, as recently as 30th April 2012. A partially implemented blockade by a selection of internet service providers caused its popularity to plummet. It is now at a 91st spot on Alexa’s site popularity list for the United Kingdom:
As the UK’s largest provider BT has joined the blocking campaign as of 19th June 2012, it remains to be seen how long it will take for the website to be kicked off the top 100 list, similar to recent events in The Netherlands.
Previously:
Don’t tell your ‘friends’ you will be going on a trip. Parents need to warn their children not to post information about upcoming holidays.
Dutch language news article:
http://www.security.nl/artikel/41950/1/Politie_waarschuwt_voor_inbreker_2.0_op_Facebook.html
For most Web activities, many people won’t be bothered that they are served up ads forcars or even acne cream if they have been reading news about the newest Tesla or visiting dermatology Web sites. But what about when someone is researching a hereditary or embarrassing medical condition that one would not want revealed to advertisers, shoulder surfers or, worse yet, insurance companies?
More:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57457473-83/how-to-browse-sensitive-subjects-without-being-tracked/
A smattering of European countries will be first non-U.S. markets to offer the Amazon Appstore later this year.
Now when users search for images like Lake Tahoe, in addition to dozens of small thumbnails, they’ll also see one enlarged photo of the Sierra Nevada lake taken by a Getty Images photographer. There is also a full-screen viewing option on some image searches and a video preview option when a user hovers over the video.
More:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57457505-93/yahoos-image-searches-beautify-with-getty-partnership/
The hacker asked, in Chinese, “What are you doing? Why are you researching my Trojan?”
More:
http://arstechnica.com/security/2012/06/hacker-uses-malware-built-in-chat-to-toy-with-researchers/
Content vs Infrastructure
The ITU seems to confirm what many global Internet policy watchers had long suspected: this really is about money.
How would private sector telecommunications firms shore up their profits? One way is to start charging content providers (read: Hulu, Netflix, HBO, RIAA, MPAA, and everyone else who provides Big Content). Sound ridiculous?
