By MICHAEL FOREMAN
Internet registry company Domainz is to refund Alan Brown's legal defence costs in the defamation case it helped to bring against him.
The offer, made by Domainz director Roger De Salis at a special general meeting of the Internet Society of New Zealand (ISOCNZ) last Friday, completes an about-face
by the company.
Until April 30, Domainz - owned by ISOCNZ - was committed to paying the legal costs of its former chief executive Patrick O'Brien, who sued Mr Brown for defamation.
While judgment is still awaited in the case, which involves statements posted by Mr Brown on a society newsgroup on December 23, 1999, allegedly defaming Mr OBrien, Domainz's role in the affair has angered many members.
Three motions were tabled for the meeting, including a call for ISOCNZ to "fully fund" Mr Brown's defence, including any future appeal and to take legal action against Mr O'Brien seeking damages for his alleged "failure to act in the best interests of the company."
But Mr De Salis's offer and an apology on behalf of Domainz - made in return for an apology from Mr Brown - struck a conciliatory note.
The meeting voted to support the Domainz funding offer. A second motion, that ISOCNZ acknowledge that poor policy processes ultimately led to the court case, which is deplored by ISOCNZ members, was not carried.
But members' widely expressed hope that the issue will finally be laid to rest looks unlikely to be fulfilled.
Domainz may now face legal action from Mr O'Brien, and although Mr Brown agreed with the offer at the meeting, he is less than satisfied.
This week he said the settlement, which he estimated as being worth less than $5000, would still leave him substantially out of pocket.
