BabyGear.com Closes
Holiday shoppers at the Web site of online retailer BabyGear.com are being greeted by an "out of business" sign. In an announcement posted on the site of New York-based BabyGear, visitors are advised that the company has closed and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. Calls to the company's offices seeking comment weren't answered.
Oxygen Media Closes Web Sites, Lays Off 65
New York-based Oxygen Media last week announced that it will lay off 44 full-time and 21 part-time staffers, close its Seattle office and pare down its women-oriented Web sites from more than 12 to four. The layoffs represent less than 10% of the staff, according to the company. The layoffs were announced just days after Microsoft Corp. co-founder Paul Allen's investment group, Vulcan Ventures, said it would provide $100 million for Oxygen in its latest round of funding.
Judge Wants to Fine Ford for Online Sales
Ford Motor Co. said it will file by today a response to a recommendation by a Texas administrative law judge that it pay a $1.7 million fine for selling 11 used cars directly to consumers through the Internet in violation of state law. The recommendation by the Texas Department of Transportation judge will go before the Texas Motor Vehicle Board Jan. 18 for action.
Charges Withdrawn Against Kozmo.com
Three months after its discrimination suit against online delivery service Kozmo.com Inc. was dismissed in federal court, a Washington-based civil rights group last week dropped the matter altogether and said the alleged discrimination didn't actually occur.
Kozmo.com and the Equal Rights Center also announced a joint initiative to help increase Internet access in underserved neighborhoods in and around Washington.