BGP-based blackholing/hijacking patented in Australia?

[Niels Bakker <niels=nanog () bakker net>]

http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,10394549%5E15306%5E%5Enbv%5E,00.html
2004-08-10 (via InfoAnarchy)

"Pipe has applied for a patent for its method of blocking access to
 deceptive websites linked to fraudulent emails that direct users to
 fake bank websites to capture bank account and password details.
[..]
"Pipe Networks managing director Bevan Slattery said Pipe had been
 testing a method of enabling banks, ISPs and law enforcement agencies
 to notify Pipe of new phishing emails.
"Pipe could then distribute updated internet routing information to ISPs
 via the border gateway protocol, so internet users could not reach the
 fraudulent website."

The implications of this are scary.  Hijacking of IP space by a private
company, supported by the government?


        -- Niels.

-- 
Today's subliminal thought is: