Sun again

We begin today in the fine tradition of blogging about blogging. There is a long-awaited update on the blog of Sun Microsystems' CEO Jonathan Schwartz about his 'continuing engagement' with SEC chairman Christopher Cox over using the internet as a vehicle for disclosure.

As you may know, the two have been hashing out the arguments for and against whether web postings constitute full and fair disclosure under securities regulations since October, yes, by blog.

Now, Schwartz comes forward with specific recommendations about how to present the information in a way that ensures the broadest possible access. Communiques would have to be syndicated in a format like RSS and accessible without registration using any free browser.

To make sure investors couldn't miss releases, companies would maintain a catalog on a separate 'Official Investor Communications' page linked to the company's home page or the main page of the IR site. In Schwartz's view, even blogs could satisfy Reg FD if they link prominently to a company's IR site.

There has been no response yet from Cox, by blog or otherwise.

Watch for one yourself at blogs.sun.com/jonathan/

Anna Snider
North American editor
IR magazine