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Date: Thu, 06 Jan 2005 13:49:37 +0000
From: Roger Mangraviti
To: Aussie-Isp
Message-Id: <41DD41F1.5060107@atu.com.au>
Subject: [Oz-ISP] Proposed Class Action against Telstra Corporation. RE: Broadband Competition Notices
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To all Internet Service Providers,

Proposed class action against Telstra Corporation LIMITED regarding the
possible breaches of the Competition Rule in the Trade Practices Act
1974.

The competition rule provides that a telecommunications carrier must not
engage in  anti-competitive conduct by taking advantage of its market
power to substantially lessen competition in the market.

Telstra Corporation LIMITED has had 2 "PART A" Competition notices
served on it by the ACCC, the first was dated 4 September 2001 and the
second was dated 20 March 2004.  The following link will take you to the
notices.

http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/323962/fromItemId/6047

Section 151cc of the Trade Practices Act permits a person (including a
company) to commence court proceedings within 3 years of a breach of the
competition rule to recover loss and damage suffered as a result of the
breach.

We are seeking EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST from Internet Service Providers
about joining a class action in the federal court seeking damages for
breaching the competition rule.

Maurice Blackburn Cashman Pty Limited, A national class actions law
firm is intended to be the litigation firm.  if you wish, you can look
at their web site at:   http://www.mauriceblackburncashman.com.au.

If there is sufficient interest we will approach a litigation funder to
fund the claim.  If this is successful there will be no risk to any
members of the class action and no funds will be required to start the
class action. A funder takes all the risk and pays all the costs of
running the case and for that, at the end of the case, the funder will
want to be paid up to 30% of the winnings. We have had initial
discussions with a litigation funder and, subject to a due diligence
investigation of the case, it may agree to fund and underwrite the class
action.

Alternatively, we may, after consulation and agreement with all
interested parties, ultimately decide that we will be better off funding
the case ourselves because we will not lose the % payment at the end.
Maurice Blackburn Cashman may agree to act on terms that are favourable
to us. This is a matter that will be determined after we know the level
of interest.

If you are at all interested please provide us with answers to questions
below by return email. Your answers will be treated confidentially and
your answering will not, in any way, expose you to any obligation or
cost. Please provide your answers directly to m a i l t o : r o g e r @ i s p . n e t . a u by
31 january 2005:

1.   Name of Service Provider:


2.   Contact name:


3.   Telephone Number:


4.   Do you have reason to believe that your organisation has suffered
loss or damage as a result of telstra's breach of the competition rule?


5.   If the answer to 4. is "yes" please state briefly why you think
that your organisation has suffered loss or damage.


6.    IF the answer to 4. is "yes" please state when it was that  your
organisation  suffered the loss or damage.


7.    If the answer to 4. is "yes" please state, the amount of the loss
or damage is that your organisation has suffered; and


8.   If a class action is to be commenced please say whether you would
prefer it to be funded by the members of the class, ie you, or a third
party funder.


9.  PLease state whether or not you are willing to contribute to the
cost of conducting the case by paying money from time to time into a
fighting fund.


Regards,

Roger Mangraviti
Director.
Independent Service Providers Pty Limited

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