Spot of bother for net firm

Liquidators have been appointed for Christchurch internet business F U Spot after its protracted dispute with Telecom.

The company did not appear at the High Court hearing to dispute Telecom's claim for $50,437, and Master Venning said it was presumed to be insolvent.

It was originally called Wizkid Internet, but changed its name to F U Spot during the dispute over access to Telecom's internet protocol network.

The business hosts web pages for mainly Canterbury clients, but could not go nationwide without the Telecom service, director Kerri King said in May. It was counter-suing Telecom for $20 million.

Telecom told the court there had been no communication from the company directors. Master Venning said the company had failed to comply with the court's earlier directions. There was no affidavit in evidence in support of the defendant's allegations.

He appointed Crichton Horne Associates as liquidators and awarded costs to Telecom.NZPA

, after a long dispute over what the company said was Telecom's refusal to offer it internet protocol access to its network.

The business hosts web pages for mainly Canterbury clients, but could not go nationwide without the Telecom service, director Kerri King said in May.

The company was originally called Wizkid Internet Limited, but during the dispute changed its name to F U Spot.

Liquidators Crichton Horne Associates were appointed by Master Venning at a High Court hearing yesterday, at which F U Spot was opposing a Telecom order to put the company into liquidation.

F U Spot did not appear at the hearing, and Master Venning said: "It is presumed to be insolvent."

Telecom was claiming that the internet business owed it $50,437, and F U Spot was counter-suing Telecom for $20 million, after a long dispute over what the company said was Telecom's refusal to offer it internet protocol access to its network.

The business hosts web pages for mainly Canterbury clients, but could not go nationwide without the Telecom service, director Kerri King said in May.

The company was originally called Wizkid Internet Limited, but during the dispute changed its name to F U Spot.

Appearing for Telecom, Fiona Wakefield said there had been no communication from the directors of the company.

Tanya Gilson said she appeared for Insight Technology Limited, which was making an appearance in support. It had obtained a judgment against Wizkid Internet Limited at an earlier hearing.

Master Venning noted the non-appearance of the defendant company and that it had failed to comply with the earlier directions of the court. There was no affidavit in evidence in support of the defendant's allegations.

He appointed the liquidators and awarded costs to Telecom.

- NZPA