Senators near compromise on Internet tax agreement

WASHINGTON >> A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is close to a compromise on legislation that would extend a ban on Internet access taxes while opening a way for states to tax online sales, lobbyists said.

The senators have an "embryonic" pact to extend the current access tax ban for as long as five years, said Mark Nebergall, president of the Software Finance and Tax Executives Council. The lawmakers working on the bill are Republicans John McCain of Arizona and Mike Enzi of Wyoming and Democrats Ron Wyden of Oregon, Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, John Kerry of Massachusetts, and Ernest Hollings of South Carolina. The senators are proposing to allow states to form an interstate compact to collect taxes from online sales if at least 25 states simplify their existing sales tax laws, Nebergall said.

Some Yahoo! material obscene, association says

SUNNYVALE, Calif. >> Yahoo! Inc., owner of the most-used Internet search service, allows child pornography and other obscene material to be displayed on some of its Web sites, the American Family Association said yesterday.

Yahoo Clubs and GeoCities, two Yahoo services where users may post images and information for people with similar interests, include sites such as "Pic Club of Preteens" and "Rape Photos," the association said. The American Family Association, headed by the Rev. Donald Wildmon, is a religious advocacy group based in Tupelo, Miss. Yahoo's policy is to review Club and GeoCities Web sites within 24 hours after receiving a complaint and to remove those sites that carry "objectionable" material, spokeswoman Mary Osaka said.

AOL-Microsoft deal collapse likely to heat up rivalry

SEATTLE >> The collapse of talks between Microsoft Corp. and AOL-Time Warner Inc. over shipping AOL's Internet service in the Windows software will likely raise the level of acrimony between the two rivals but have little impact on business, analysts said yesterday.

On Saturday, the software giant and the media and Internet giant broke off talks to include AOL's Web access software in Windows XP, the upcoming version of Microsoft's personal computer operating system that will ship on almost every new consumer PC. Previously, new PC buyers have been able to sign up for AOL immediately after starting their machines. Now they will have to install the software themselves.

The failure to reach a deal means AOL loses a distribution channel for its service, which already has more than 29 million subscribers. It also means Microsoft won't be able to easily convert that huge customer base into users of its instant messaging and digital media technologies -- two areas in which it is investing heavily.

Analysts, however, said there had been little chance of the bitter rivals shaking hands in a friendly agreement.

"This rivalry has been sort of flamed and fanned by the media or who have you. The real kernel in terms of business issues, I'm not sure how big a deal it is," said Jonathan Geurkink, an analyst with Ragen Mackenzie.

[Taking Notice]

New Jobs

>> Jeffrey C. Chun has been named director of fleet operations at Budget Rent a Car-Hawaii. Chun will be responsible for purchasing and disposing of vehicles for all Budget operations in Hawaii. He will also oversee daily operations of the fleet administration division. Chun was most recently employed at NAPA Auto Parts' Sand Island branch.

>> Anderson "Aki" Almario has been named sales manager at the Hawaiian Waikiki Beach Hotel. He will be responsible for retail and westbound wholesale markets. Almario was most recently employed by Korean Airlines as a senior sales representative.

>> Brandi Barrett has been named promotions director for KUCD-FM ("Star 101.9") radio. She joins the station after serving as advertising and promotions manager for Hawaiian Island Creations.

Promotions

>> Matt Ozelie has been named sales director at the Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy, a Shell Vacations Club property. Ozelie will oversee a 35-person sales and marketing team. He was previously a sales manager at the resort.

Recognition

>> Valarie Hashimoto, professional services manager at Manpower Professional in Honolulu, has completed the Technical Services Certification Exam sponsored by the National Technical Services Association. It tests applicants for a mastery of the legal, legislative and regulatory requirements governing the technical staffing industry.