ToC

• Raiding Arab Wallets
• Building a Brand Globally via the Internet - Fundamental
• E-commerce security boon
• Two states OK e-commerce standards bill
• Compromise in the works on digital signatures bill
• Industry Asks for "Comprehensive" Net Tax Approach
• Bermuda Launches E-Commerce Code of Conduct
• Bill Would Enable States to Collect Online Sales Tax
• Net Tax Vote Shouldn't Wait For Other Bills
• White House and Agency Split on Internet Privacy
• Gradual Moves on Privacy Possible
• Internet -Tax Freeze Extension Gains Momentum
• Patent Office Takes Fresh Look At The Net
• Travelocity, agents fight airline site
• Net Tax Moratorium Moves On
• U.S. , E.U. Approach Safe Harbor
• U.S. launches anti-Net-fraud site
• Safer consumers may spend more online
• House set to vote on Net tax bill
• House OKs Net-access tax ban
• FTC gives up on Net self-regulation
• FTC report draws muffled opposition
• To sell wine on Net, retailers untangle web of vintage laws
• Regulators Target B-to-B Sites
• Priceline Shoppers Face Taxing Problem
• E*Trade Launches First Phase of Global Trading Network
• UK e-commerce bigger, say analysts

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Thought about selling to some of the wealthier Arab countries lately? Well, according to an Internet research firm, the Gulf Co-operation Council region has more than 15-times the Internet penetration in the Arab world as a whole.

Catalog Age
<http://www.catalogagemag.com/Content/Weekly/2000/2000051807.htm> 

While many companies are focused on surviving their competition in the domestic marketplace, by 2003, 65% of all online consumers will reside in markets outside of the United States. Businesses need to figure out how to position themselves -- and build their brands -- ahead of the Internet's emerging global market curve.

Netcommerce Magazine
http://www.netcommercemag.com/may00/3.html 

The British Chambers of Commerce has linked up with the Royal Mail to offer businesses the chance to trade securely online.

BBC News
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_749000/749778.stm> 

A hotly contested bill aimed at unifying e-commerce standards across the country gained some momentum recently as two states adopted it despite stiff criticism from consumer groups.

CNET
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1007-200-1803597.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..1007-200-1803597> 

House and Senate Republicans are circulating a draft proposal that they say provides some new protections for consumers.

Computer World
<http://www.computerworld.com/home/print.nsf/all/000517E00E> 

Rather than passing piecemeal Internet taxation bans, Congress should address the thorny net tax issue in its entirety, clarifying existing legislative mandates and simplifying interstate tax codes, a cadre of high- tech industry groups said Monday in a letter to congressional members.

Computer User
<http://www.currents.net/news/00/05/02/news11.html> 

Bermuda's Minister of Telecommunications and E-Commerce Renee Webb has declared that his country has initiated a 'Code of Conduct for Internet Commerce.'

Computer User
<http://www.currents.net/news/00/05/05/news16.html> 

In a lively but inconclusive debate Wednesday, a House Judiciary subcommittee considered legislation that would allow states to craft a system for collecting sales taxes for purchases made online.

Computer User
<http://www.currents.net/news/00/05/18/news1.html> 

A bill approved by the House Judiciary Committee last week that extends the current moratorium on "new and discriminatory" Internet taxes should not have to wait for companion legislation on the moratorium and Internet access taxes to catch up to it, said a spokesperson for House Majority Leader Richard Armey, R-Texas, today.

Newsbytes
<http://www.newsbytes.com/pubNews/00/148674.html> 

Clinton administration officials threw cold water on a proposal by the Federal Trade Commission for legislation to protect consumer privacy on the Internet.

New York Times
<http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/00/05/biztech/articles/23privacy.html> 

The head of the Federal Trade Commission told Congress that he would support a scaled-back version of the commission's Internet privacy proposal if it would help start the process of setting basic consumer protections online.

New York Times
<http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/00/05/cyber/articles/26privacy.html> 

The drive to extend the moratorium on Internet taxes is picking up speed with a full U.S. House of Representatives vote expected soon, a spokesman for the House majority leader said late Tuesday.

TechWeb
<http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB20000503S0014> 

As inventors rush to create new Internet and e-commerce technologies, the patent process itself may have been left standing in a cloud of dust.

TechWeb
<http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB20000512S0006> 

An ambitious air-travel Web site under development by several major airlines is facing growing opposition from competitors who want the government to take a closer look.

USA Today
<http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/cth850.htm> 

The judiciary committee passes extension to legislation barring Net taxation. If the bill makes it past the U.S. House next week, there may be no Internet taxes until 2006.

Wired News
<http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0%2C1283%2C36143%2C00.html> 

Industry self-regulation among U.S. firms appears to be sufficient to satisfy European countries, which require strict data protection rules, negotiators said during a meeting of the European-American Business Council in Washington.

Wired News
<http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0%2C1283%2C36235%2C00.html> 

The United States launched a new online fraud investigative center on Monday to tackle the fast-growing problem of Internet fraud, a new area of crime affecting hundreds of people each day in America.

ZDNet
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0%2C4586%2C2565060%2C00.html> 

Federal laws to protect consumer privacy online are coming. That's more than a threat for e-commerce, said an ad industry panel. It's an opportunity.

ZDNet
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0%2C4586%2C2565332%2C00.html> 

The bill would extend the current moratorium on Net taxes to 2006 -- but an amendment could reduce the extension to two years.

ZDNet
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0%2C4586%2C2566164%2C00.html> 

Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill blocking the Federal Communications Commission from any attempt to set fees for using the Internet.

ZDNet
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0%2C4586%2C2570469%2C00.html> 

Finding Internet privacy to be sorely lacking, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission on Monday released a 200-page report recommending to Congress that new legislation be adopted to protect consumers' privacy online.

ZDNet
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0%2C4586%2C2574082%2C00.html> 

A privacy report released by the Federal Trade Commission on Monday advocating new laws to protect consumer privacy ought to have riled many of the folks who had pushed for continued self-regulation. But it hardly has.

ZDNet
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0%2C4586%2C2576390%2C00.html> 

Looking for a nice chardonnay? You could shop online, but don't get your hopes up. A thicket of regulations about shipping alcohol over state lines can leave Web wine buyers with a sour taste.

The Boston Herald
<http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/wine05222000.htm> 

From chemical makers to utilities, companies are discovering they can save time and money by joining with competitors to sell and buy goods over the Internet. But as critics warn of price-fixing and buying cartels, the business-to-business auction sites are facing scrutiny by antitrust attorneys and regulators.

New York Law Journal
<http://www.nylj.com/stories/00/05/050400a4.htm> 

State claims WebHouse Club bucks the law, mislabeling taxes as extra fees.

PC World
<http://www.pcworld.com/pcwtoday/article/0%2C1510%2C16725%2C00.html> 

E*Trade is taking U.S. stocks overseas.

Internet News
<http://www.internetnews.com/fina-news/article/0,2171,5_376761,00.html> 

Reports that the UK has lots its place as the European e-commerce leader have been questioned by industry analysts.

BBC News
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_759000/759282.stm>