In July, proposed changes to the current cross-media ownership and foreign media ownership laws were launched as part of a media reform package. In response, the ACCC published its views on protecting competition (and possibly diversity) in the context of anticipated mergers in rapidly developing media markets, which are outlined here by Karen Gibbons and...

Proposed legislation, expected to be introduced towards the end of 2006, will result in a number of enhancements to the rights of Australian trade mark owners.

In May 2006, Mobile Top Level Domain, acting under the direction of ICANN, opened initial domain name registration in the new .mobi domain created specially for mobile devices. The new domain is aimed at making it easier for mobile device users to identify which sites are accessible on a mobile device.

This month the update discusses, among other things, the assent of the Do Not Call Register Bill, enhanced powers for ACMA, the independent review of the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsmen scheme and variation to the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan.

The month's update discusses reviews of the the Broadcasting Services Act and the Spam Act and a new 'dot-mobi' top level global internet domain for mobile services.