Compuserve changes focus to home office and businesses
Article Abstract:
CompuServe Corp is responding to its near 14% market share drop on Nov 21, 1996, by adopting what it terms a 'back to basics' strategy. This strategy includes discontinuing CompuServe's WOW! online information service by Jan 21, 1997. CompuServe officials are not willing to spend the millions of dollars necessary to keep WOW competitive with the new moguls, America Online and Microsoft Network. CompuServe also plans to combat its reported quarterly operating loss of $24.5 million by focusing on small business customers and home office workers. H&R Block, CompuServe's major shareholder, will abandon the Columbus, OH, company selling its 80.1% of shares. Block blames CompuServe for half of its recent quarterly losses and attributes the 37.5 cent decrease in shares announced Nov 21 to the floundering company. While CompuServe stakes great hope in its new business venture, industry insiders remain skeptical.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1996
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Prodigy sees quick growth from Internet Web service
Article Abstract:
The Prodigy Services Company says the addition of a new Internet program that provides users easy access to the World Wide Web has produced significant growth, helping it regain some of the momentum it has lost to rivals in the consumer on-line information services industry. Prodigy claims nearly 100,000 customers requested special software that allows them to link with the Internet's World Wide Web since it became available on Jan 17, 1995. The Web is the fastest growing Internet service, allowing even the novice user to browse the Internet's wealth of information with point-and-click functionality. Access to the Web had previously been limited to users with some technical experience and special Internet connections. Prodigy competitors America Online and CompuServe are expected to offer similar programs soon.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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Judge rules that Prodigy is liable for user comments
Article Abstract:
A New York judge has ruled that Prodigy Services Co is a publisher of the information on its online services and not merely a distributor, holding the company responsible for comments posted on its bulletin boards. The ruling is the result of a $200 million libel lawsuit in which a securities investment firm is suing Prodigy for libelous and slanderous comments posted on the online service by an unknown user. The judge in the case did distinguish between Prodigy and other online information services because Prodigy actually has network managers who monitor the online information and remove material that is considered offensive. The ruling could place the commercial online service companies in conflict with proposed legislation that attempts to deal with the content of information on the Internet.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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