Livedoor Wants To Change Name To Avoid Scandal

and that's a bit like closing the barn door after the cows get out, doncha think? More from this Yahoo News story:

"Livedoor, the scandal-hit Japanese Internet firm, may change its name in an effort to reincarnate itself, its new president said, calling its former bosses "idiots".

Livedoor's new management has asked a research company to study the company's public image following the arrest of senior executives of the Internet firm for alleged financial fraud, said Kozo Hiramatsu.

"If we find it necessary to change the company name, we'll decide it based on the results of that research," said Hiramatsu, who was appointed Livedoor president in January after the arrest of former chief Takafumi Horie."

And here's some information about Livedoor via Wikipedia:

"Livedoor, officially livedoor Co., Ltd., is an Internet service provider based in Tokyo, Japan, that runs a Web portal and numerous other businesses. The company was founded and led in its first 10 years by Takafumi Horie, known as "Horiemon" in Japan. Employing over 1,000 people, it has grown into one of Japan's premiere Internet businesses as well as one of the country's most controversial enterprises because of its frequent use of acquisitions and stock swap mergers to achieve growth."

If history has taught us anything, we know that a Gator called by any other name (**cough cough** Claria**cough**cough) actually does NOT smell as sweet. So Livedoor, while we love that you're trying, perhaps we should put the hive mind on something more viable...like a workable exit strategy.

More Internet Scandal-Like News: There's so many it was hard to pick. Here's a few that I've blogged about:

• The Story of a Lost Camera...and the Power of the Web Community: Someone went to Hawaii, took a ton of pictures with her very expensive camera that she purchased specifically for the trip, but unfortunately she lost it. Good news is another family found it; bad news? They won't give it back because their kid really likes it.
• So Apple and Microsoft Walk Into The Patent Office...: "I'd just like to say a big "thanks" to everyone who helped my Evil Empire, er, I mean, Microsoft, to get this far - Jane, Charlie, the folks at the US Patents office, Stevie B., Satan..oh, man! I hope I didn't miss anyone!"
• Google and Yahoo-News Face Off for Michael Jackson Case: If you were one of the literally millions that were breathlessly waiting for the verdict in the infamous Michael Jackson trial, you probably plugged into an online news source in order to find out what was up.
• Google and CNet: An Uneasy, Embarassing Standoff: a CNet reporter apparently used Google to dig up some semi-personal information on Eric Schmidt, the CEO of Google. Google didn't like this and reportedly placed a one year ban on speaking to anyone from CNet.
• Yahoo and Google Dance Off - Who's Bad?: There was something of a polite tiff going on between Google and Yahoo (but wouldn't it be cool if we got some Yahoo and Google employees to dance around in parachute pants and perfectly coiffed 'dos in a subway station? Singing? Yes? No? Bueller?).
• Microsoft, We Hardly Know Ye: Microsoft quietly changed how its for-free AntiSpyware program handles a pervasive form of adware, a move that has drawn criticism because of recent reports that Microsoft is interested in buying adware-maker Claria.
• Oh, So Naughty!: Shocking me to my very essence was this story from InternetWeek.com with the headline of "Four In 10 U.S. Companies Discipline Workers for Porn." You mean to tell me that people like to look at naughty pictures while they're really supposed to be working? Holy Sarcastic Lead-in, Robin!

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