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Contact: Gurjit Chima (703) 812 0561

GLOBALNOTICE Says Newspapers Should Join Up!

 

GlobalNotice, Inc., the company hoping to move newspaper public notices to its state websites, says it is ready to partner with newspapers. Trouble is, newspaper organizations haven't accepted the offer. Two state associations and one national organization reported recent meetings with GN's principals, but found GN had little to offer newspapers. But the new website company said it believes newspapers will lose the notices, and should look for a piece of the web pie.

 

GN also told one group that its North Carolina lawyer-CEO, Crispin (or Krispen, in some spellings) Culbertson will step back from an active role. Co-founder Ladan Behnia has made the recent association pitches.

 

GN's website, www.globalnotice.com , provides access to the PowerPoint presentation that makes its case. Among its claims: newspaper notices cost 900% more than GN's notices.

 

 

Federal Judge Finds California Website Information Insufficient

 

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California recently enjoined enforcement of California 's Unclaimed Property Law (“UPL”) until the state provides constitutionally adequate notice to property holders. The appellate court found no authority supporting the proposition that due process was satisfied by a newspaper advertisement advising readers to check websites for information regarding the escheatment of their property. The district court not only enjoined the state from selling, destroying, or converting property to cash, but also enjoined the state's temporary ownership or possession of property which results when property is transferred to the state under the escheat law. The court also ordered the state's controller to submit any new proposed regulations concerning the administration of the UPL to the court for review before the injunction can be lifted. See the court's opinion in Taylor v. Westly , 488 F.3d 1197, 1201 ( C.A. 9 th 2007).

 

Legislature Urged to Follow Court 's Lead

 

California 's state legislature may have taken heed to the Appellate Court's advice on revisiting the UPL. Legislation improving the statute's notification scheme was filed with the Secretary of State in late August this year. The bill (S.B. 86) would require the state to notify all owners of unclaimed property prior to escheatment, increase efforts to identity owners of unclaimed property, and wait at least 18 months before disposing of property.

 

 

Washington Legislature Overrules Court

 

Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire signed a bill that requires owners of property subject to condemnation to receive written notice by certified letter and by publication in a legal newspaper. Effective July 22, 2007 , the bill signals the legislature's response to a state Supreme Court decision holding web notice only to be sufficient .

 

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