Fed: Lawrence's resignation is unforgivable vandalism: Roxon

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Fed: Lawrence's resignation is unforgivable vandalism: Roxon

Labor's children and youth spokeswoman has hit out at CARMEN LAWRENCE, calling herresignation from shadow cabinet over the ALP's new asylum seeker policy an unforgivableact of vandalism.

NICOLA ROXON says Ms LAWRENCE'S action has hurt the entire party, not just federalleader SIMON CREAN.

Ms ROXON has told Perth radio 6PR Ms LAWRENCE is entitled to her opinion but shouldhave respected the views of the majority of the party who voted to adopt the new policy.

Ms ROXON says Ms LAWRENCE had every opportunity to argue her case through the forumsof the party.

AAP RTV lk/dl/gjr

KEYWORD: LABOR ROXON (PERTH)

Napster CEO Steps Down; Sale Rejected

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Napster Inc., the dorm-room experiment that revolutionized the music business, is in turmoil.

The chief executive and co-founder both stepped down Tuesday after the company's board rejected an agreement to be acquired by German media company Bertelsmann AG _ raising the possibility that the Internet pioneer might go under.

Napster is rapidly running out of cash and may soon file for bankruptcy protection, according to a source close to the company who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Napster's swoon comes three years after Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker created an Internet sensation when they founded the service, which allows users to swap music for free online. It boasted 60 million users at its peak.

But the service angered the music industry, prompting a string of legal problems. Napster has been offline for nearly a year as it tries to meet a guidelines handed down by a federal judge last year.

Konrad Hilbers, a veteran from Napster's financial backer Bertelsmann who joined Napster last year, was the first to go Tuesday, announcing he would leave the company after its board rejected an offer from the German media conglomerate to purchase the company.

Late in the day came confirmation from Napster that Fanning had also resigned. Fanning created the program, along with Parker, when he was a freshman at Northeastern University as a way to quickly share MP3 music files over a computer network.

In an internal memo to Napster employees sent by Hilbers and provided to The Associated Press by sources close to both companies, the chief executive bashed Napster's board for refusing Bertelsmann's offer.

"I am convinced that not pursuing the offer is a mistake and it will lead the company to a place where I don't want to lead it," Hilbers said in the memo.

Fanning had a high profile in Napster's early days but was relegated to a behind-the-scenes role as chief technology officer as legal troubles and discord over Napster's future grew.

The company said Fanning had no immediate public comment on his resignation, but a representative for Napster confirmed that he sent a letter to fellow employees at the Redwood City-based company expressing his pleasure at being involved with the groundbreaking service.

Napster has struggled ever since losing key court rulings and the refusal of major record labels to license popular music works to the company have kept it wanting for crucial deals and partnerships vital to its proposed comeback.

But legal battles quickly ensued, and Napster has struggled ever since. And the refusal of major record labels to license popular music works to the company have left it without crucial deals and partnerships vital to its proposed comeback.

Napster's very future appears in question as Hilbers' departure represents a loss in confidence in the company's leadership.

Though it did not release details, Napster said Tuesday it would move to cut costs.

"We deeply regret that we have not yet been able to find a funding solution that would allow Napster to launch a service to benefit artists and consumers alike," a Napster statement said. "We will be looking at additional steps in the coming week to further reduce expenses."

Bertelsmann extended about $85 million in loans to Napster, but the company has failed to generate revenue or launch a paid service.

Since Napster's service went dark last year, the five major record labels suing Napster for copyright infringement _ EMI, AOL Time Warner, Sony, Universal and Bertelsmann's own BMG Entertainment _ all launched their own subscription services.

Sean Badding, an analyst from The Carmel Group, faulted Napster for not accepting Bertelsmann's offer.

"If this does happen and Napster does file for bankruptcy, I think it would be one of the most compelling technologies to capture the American culture in recent times and then go on to failure," Badding said. "From boom to bust, it had the most potential."

___

On the Net:

http://www.napster.com

http://www.bertelsmann.com

Image Caption: This is an undated handout photo of Konrad Hilbers, a veteran of the German media giant Bertelsmann AG Online and CEO Of Napster Inc. The on line music music pioneer severed key relations Tuesday with its deep-pocketed funder, Bertelsmann AG, and Hilbers stepped down as the CEO of the file-sharing company. Hilbers' resignation comes amid a long hiatus for Napster, which has vowed to come back online as a subscription-based music download service. (AP Photo/HO)

Fed: Crean calls for GG to make full explanation on abuse claims

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Fed: Crean calls for GG to make full explanation on abuse claims

CANBERRA, Feb 18 AAP - Governor-General Peter Hollingworth had to give a full explanationof an alleged cover-up of sexual abuse complaints while he was Anglican Archbishop ofBrisbane, the federal opposition said today.

Channel Nine's Sunday program yesterday broadcast claims that Dr Hollingworth had triedto discourage a sex-abuse victim from going to police.

It alleged that he dismissed sex abuse claims against a priest, whom he later appointedto a church's sexual abuse committee.

Dr Hollingworth has denied the allegations and said he would not resign as governor-general.

But Opposition Leader Simon Crean said denial was not enough and the continued controversydamaged the office of governor-general.

"I think it's important that the full detail of those allegations be made available,but I think equally important is that the governor-general give a full explanation," hesaid.

"I think the longer these issues remain unresolved and unanswered, of course it damagesthe office of the governor-general, and that's not good for the country."

Dr Hollingworth will appear on ABC TV's Australian Story tonight to give his side ofthe story, but Mr Crean said it was hard to know if that would be enough.

AAP kmh/daw/las/bwl

KEYWORD: HOLLINGWORTH CREAN

Qld: Former Queensland policeman faces child sex charges

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2001
Qld: Former Queensland policeman faces child sex charges

A former Queensland policeman is facing rape charges after allegedly molesting his
six-year-old son.

The 42-year-old, who cannot be named, appeared briefly in Brisbane Magistrates Court
today over the charges laid after an unsupervised access visit with his son in November.

Lawyer NEIL LAWLER's told the court the man, who is facing one count of rape and three
counts of indecent dealing, is currently on sickness benefits for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Police made an unsuccessful bid to keep him in custody at the hearing, alleging he
was dismissed from the state's police force six years ago and is in danger of interfering
with witnesses.

Magistrate CHRISTINE CLEMENTS has granted bail and adjourned the case until February
18 for a committal mention.

AAP RTV ap/jhm/rp

KEYWORD: INCEST (BRISBANE)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

FED: Chase for Skase continues even in death

AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-2001
FED: Chase for Skase continues even in death

By Doug Conway, Senior Correspondent

SYDNEY, Aug 6 AAP - The chase for Skase assets will continue despite the death of the
fugitive financier vilified as Australia's public enemy number one.

Christopher Skase, 52, succumbed to cancer at his home in exile on the Spanish island
of Majorca, where he fled 10 years ago facing criminal charges over the collapse of his
$A1.5 billion Qintex empire.

The charges will be withdrawn, but the federal government vowed today to continue hunting
Skase's assets to help creditors who are owed $177 million.

"There is a legitimate public interest in that, yes," Prime Minister John Howard told reporters.

Attorney-General Daryl Williams admitted Skase's use of overseas tax havens and company
structures made the search difficult.

But he said the government remained "committed" to various recovery proceedings.

Mr Williams said the government would examine whether Mrs Pixie Skase - reportedly
distraught at her husband's death - could now be held legally responsible.

"That will depend on further investigation," Mr Williams said.

Family and Community Services Minister Amanda Vanstone said she extended her sympathy
to Skase's family but did not regret the government's efforts to return him to Australia.

"It's vitally important that young Australians grow up recognising that being wealthy
doesn't put you above the law," Senator Vanstone said in a statement.

"It's equally important for business people to realise that if they flee Australia
to evade the justice system, we will not let them live in peace overseas.

"Any stress caused to Mr Skase by our pursuit of him could have been bought to an end
at any time by him voluntarily returning to Australia."

Skase's bankruptcy trustee Max Donnelly conceded it would be more difficult to recover
assets without calling Skase to the witness box.

"We lose one line of inquiry," Mr Donnelly said, "being that I always hoped to be able
to examine Skase and put him in the witness box and find answers to a lot of questions."

A warrant was still out for the arrest of Skase's son-in-law, Tony Larkins, Mr Donnelly said.

"The reality is we've conducted examinations of various bankers, lawyers, shipping
companies, insurance agents. We know what assets have been moved - that story hasn't changed.

We know where they are.

"And, you know, there are currently proceedings on overseas."

Opposition Leader Kim Beazley backed the government's stance.

"When anyone dies, it is a sad thing," Mr Beazley said.

"But the law has to be pursued too and there is a requirement, given the fact that
there are outstanding creditors, to examine the estate to see what can be picked up."

Skase's doctor, Felipe Nicolau, said the former highflying media tycoon had been suffering
an inoperable lung tumour and stomach cancer which had spread to his pancreas.

He said "curiously" Skase had not been in much pain in his final weeks.

Spanish authorities had suspended deportation proceedings against Skase after an independent
review of his medical condition.

At the time of his admission to hospital in July doctors said Skase had lost more than
10kg in three months and weighed less than 55kg.

Journalist Humphrey Carter, speaking from Majorca, said Skase's family was devastated
by his death.

"Pixie had it harder than most, sort of getting used to the fact that Christopher Skase
wouldn't be around much longer," he told the Seven network.

"They've known for the past couple of months that the future was pretty restricted," he said.

Majorca Daily Bulletin editor Jason Moore said the family was angry and bitter that
Australians refused to believe Skase was terminally ill.

"Despite their grief and sorrow, they were angry because there are so many people in
Australia that doubted Skase was sick," he told ABC radio.

He said Skase's daughter Amanda had called the newspaper to lodge a funeral notice.

"I can't repeat what she said on the phone, but it was along the lines that now they
will know that he was sick - they've got him in a coffin, basically," he said.

Family friend Peter Sawyer said Pixie Skase would most likely remain at the family's
Majorca home rather than return to Australia.

He dismissed rumours Skase would be buried in Australia, but said there was a good
chance a memorial service would be held here.

AAP dc/sb

KEYWORD: SKASE NIGHTLEAD (PICS AVAILABLE)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Napster ruling may leave students with less options for free MP3s

Nick Allen
University Wire
02-21-2001
(The Orion) (U-WIRE) CHICO, Calif. -- With the help of Napster, many college students have saved money by sharing music from the Internet. But a Feb. 12 court ruling could make free music swapping a thing of the past.

At the end of a 10-month lawsuit, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled that Napster will be forced to stop offering its free music service.

For many students, this decision comes as a blow to their music budgets. Napster made it possible for students, and more than a million other users, to download and listen to virtually any type of music, without having to pay for it.

Eric Fieland, 22, said that because he mainly listened to music at home, he almost never bought CDs because he could get all the music free off of Napster.

"It's like a kid in a candy store, except it's better because this candy is free," Fieland said.

Generation MP3, which was instrumental in the success of music sharing sites such as Napster, will also be affected by the shut down.

Giustina Flocchini, a 22-year-old recreation administration major at California State University at Chico, said she took advantage of Napster, and it saved her money because she didn't buy as much music.

"It's nice being able to get it all for free. Your less apt to have to go and buy CDs," Flocchini said.

Napster, which was originally developed by a 19-year-old college student, is essentially a music search engine which links thousands of computers to compile a huge and constantly updated library of MP3s.

According to the court, Napster "knowingly encourages and assists its users to infringe the record companies' copyrights."

The majority of the record industry's biggest labels sued Napster Inc. in December 1999. This included such artists as Metallica and Dr. Dre who filed separate copyright infringement suits in April.

Napster responded to the court decision on its Web site by stating that "as the details of the recent 9th Circuit Court ruling unfold, please keep this is mind: Napster is not shut down, but under this decision it could be. We are very disappointed in this ruling by the three-judge panel and will seek appellate review. The Court today ruled on the basis of what it recognized was an incomplete record before it. We look forward to getting more facts into the record. We will pursue every avenue in the courts and the Congress to keep Napster operating."

Many Chico State University students also disagree with the ruling.

"It's almost the same thing as when radio first came out. Most artists were opposed to it, but then they realized how much publicity it gave to their music," said student Joe Leahy, 20. "Hopefully record companies will realize that about Napster."

It is not clear when Napster will be officially shut down, but most likely it will be fairly soon.

However, in the two years since the creation of Napster, literally dozens of other music sharing sites have opened up.

On Feb. 12, the Associated Press reported that file-sharing software has staying power because its decentralized technology empowers anyone with a computer to make songs available to millions of users.

Gnutella, Imesh and Aimster are just three of such sites.

Gnutella is not as susceptible to the types of copyright infringement laws as Napster because instead of having a central server, it is peer-to-peer sharing.

IMesh is not as big, so the selection is somewhat smaller, but in addition to music, users can also exchange software, video and image files.

Aimster integrates file sharing with an instant messenger.



(C) 2001 The Orion via U-WIRE

Qld: Court of Appeal overturns jury decision in canal case

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2000
Qld: Court of Appeal overturns jury decision in canal case

By Lisa Davies

BRISBANE, Dec 22 AAP - A paralysed man who could have received millions in a negligence
claim will now have to pay court costs after Queensland's Court of Appeal today overturned
the original jury finding.

Paul Michael Borland, 28, successfully sued Pamela and Alex Makauskas this year after
he dived from their back fence into a Gold Coast canal in March 1995, leaving him wheelchair-bound.

A four-person Supreme Court jury in July took just two and a half hours to find that
the Makauskases were 70 per cent liable because the design of the fence could have presented
an invitation for someone to climb and dive off it.

They also found the homeowners breached their duty of care by not erecting a sign warning
of the dangers.

But the appeal court today set aside that finding, ruling there was nothing unusual
in the fence and it could not possibly be described as an invitation to do something so
obviously dangerous.

Initial estimates could mean Mr Borland has to pay tens of thousands of dollars for
the Makauskases' costs.

Outside the court, his solicitor Geoff Horne, said he and his client were disappointed
with the decision.

"Obviously it's not the greatest Christmas present in the world but he's a fairly remarkable
young bloke and I'm sure he'll bear up," Mr Horne said.

He said he would examine the judgment carefully before advising his client whether
to take the matter any further.

Counsel for the Makauskases, Rhett Kennedy, said the result was a win for commonsense.

"We're obviously very pleased with the decision and feel that justice has now been
done," he said.

"The net result is that there's no breach of duty of care that was owed by the Makauskases.

"They discharged the duties they owed to Paul as a visitor."

Mr Kennedy said the insurance industry could breathe an enormous sigh of relief after
today's ruling.

"The particular insurer here will be extremely pleased, as will the rest of the industry,"

he said.

"The potential ramifications of this sort of decision are obvious in the first instance
at least, because it would mean the net result is we're all paying more premiums."

Mr Kennedy said the decision also meant homeowners could relax.

"They can be content that there's some commonsense," he said.

"The message that was sent from the jury's verdict was to be nervous."

AAP ld/jhm/mk/bwl

KEYWORD: BORLAND (CARRIED EARLIER) WITH AUDIO

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.