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Schmidt Takes Google Post
A week after saying he was giving up the CEO job at Novell, Eric Schmidt signed on as chairman of the board at the popular search site Google.com.
Schmidt will take over for Sergey Brin, Googles founding chairman, who will remain as president. Schmidts appointment last week comes after “a significant financial investment in the company” by Schmidt, according to Google officials.
Schmidts decision to step down as CEO of Novell is part of the companys $266 million acquisition of Web integrator Cambridge Technology Partners.
Schmidt will remain with Novell as chairman and chief strategist and chairman of Novell subsidiary Volera.
Napster Goes to Washington
The battle continues between file-sharing company Napster and the Recording Industry Association of America.
Last week, the association filed papers in U.S. District Court accusing Napster of not complying with a court order to pull copyrighted material off the network. The group said Napsters decision to filter out material based on file names was replete with problems. Napster said it is complying with the order.
In addition, the company this week is taking its argument to Washington. Napster has scheduled a “teach-in” and a free concert to coincide with a congressional hearing on online copyright issues.
Study Warns Against Site
A study released last week warned that a travel Web site being developed by the major airlines could cost consumers an extra $183 million per year in fares.
Jerry Hausman, an economics professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said Orbitzs launch in its current form would likely hurt competition and innovation in the industry and allow airline owners to use anticompetitive practices.
Officials with Orbitz – formed in 1999 and backed by United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines and Continental Airlines – derided the study, saying it was paid for by competitors.
The studys sponsor is the Interactive Travel Services Association, whose members include Travelocity.com, Expedia, the American Society of Travel Agents and Southwest Airlines.