Posted on: Saturday, May 10, 2003

Business briefs

Deal announced for Web site

The Hawai'i Convention Center expects to launch a revamped Web site at www.hawaiiconvention.com under a contract awarded to Honolulu-based Digital Mediums LLC.

Plans call for the Web site to include an enhanced calendar of events as well as information on the convention center's location, layout and services.

Digital Mediums, awarded the contract by convention center marketer SMG, plans to roll out the site within months, said Rod Braunthal, vice president of business development for Digital Mediums. Braunthal would not reveal the financial details of the contract with SMG.

The state is suing to gain rights to other possible convention center Web addresses, such as www.hawaiiconventioncenter.com.

State grouping trademarks

Hawai'i businesses with trademarks or service marks registered with the state have until June 30 to comply with a law requiring marks be grouped into specific categories.

An online service at www.ehawaiigov.org/tmclass allows companies to complete the process. Businesses were notified of the requirement in a letter from the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. A file number provided in the letter serves as the businesses' log-in for the service.

Businesses can select from various goods and services categories, including pharmaceuticals and restaurants.

For details call the department's business registration division at 586-2744.

Enron to form new company

Enron Corp., the world's largest energy trader before declaring bankruptcy in 2001, plans to form a company for most of its overseas utilities, plants and pipelines after failing to get adequate bids for the assets.

The new company will be governed by an independent board, turned over to creditors and protected from liabilities related to the bankruptcy, Enron said in a statement.

$5.6M fine OK'd for Bayer Corp.

A federal judge has approved a criminal fine of $5.6 million against Bayer Corp. as part of a settlement to resolve allegations that Bayer overcharged the government insurance program for the poor.

Bayer agreed to plead guilty to violating the Federal Prescription Drug Marketing Act and to pay the fine for overcharges involving its antibiotic Cipro and high blood pressure drug Adalat.

— Staff and news services