HEARST-FANG AD FLAP ENDS

By: Joel Davis 'Independent' Claimed 'Examiner' Low-balled Advertising Bid





by Joel Davis



The Hearst Corp. and the Fang family-owned San Francisco Independent
have reportedly settled a suit in which the Fangs accused Hearst of
unfair competition for San Francisco legal advertising.



The Fangs charged that the Hearst-owned San Francisco Examiner - which
the Fangs have purchased - submitted a low-ball bid in 1994 to publish
city advertising. A 1996 court ruling in the Fangs' favor was reversed
on appeal and the Fangs were ordered to pay Hearst $125,000 in attorneys'
fees.



In March, the two sides agreed that Hearst won the case, that Hearst
would not collect the attorneys' fees and that the Fangs would not file

future suits on similar grounds.







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Joel Davis (jdavis@editorandpublisher.com) is West Coast editor for E&P.





















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