Dirt Diggers Network: Digest No. 17
August 30, 2002
Editor: Philip Mattera
1. New website evaluates brands according to social responsibility criteria
2. SEC phases in accelerated filings deadlines
3. LiveEdgar makes available old SEC filings--but at a steep price
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1. New website evaluates brands according to social responsibility criteria
A new website called Idealswork <http://www.idealswork.com/> says that it
"makes it easy for you to find and support companies that share your values. We
call it 'flexing your ideals' — the powerful effect when each of us votes for a better
world with every purchase we make." The criteria it uses include:
Environment
Women's issues
Minority issues
Gay/lesbian issues
Human rights
Questionable corporate practices
Labor issues
Workplace
Animal rights
Nuclear energy
Weapons
Addictive products
The ratings come from a variety of sources, such as the Investor Responsibility
Research Center and Catalyst. The site is not providing this information only for
altruistic reasons. Next to the ratings (both good and bad) are links that take you
to sites where you can purchase the products listed. Idealworks gets a commission,
part of which it contributes to non-profits.
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2. SEC phases in accelerated filings deadlines
The SEC has announced (see press release at http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2002-128.htm)
that it has implemented a plan to phase in accelerated filing deadlines for 10-Qs and 10-Ks.
The 10-K deadline will remain 90 days for the first year, change to 75 days for year two, and change
to 60 days for year three and thereafter. The quarterly 10-Q deadline will remain 45 days for
the first year, change to 40 days for year two, and change to 35 days for year three and thereafter.
The first reductions--to 75 days for annual reports and 40 days for quarterly reports--will occur
for accelerated filers with fiscal years ending on or after Dec. 15, 2003.
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3. LiveEdgar makes available old SEC filings--but at a steep price
Global Securities Information has announced that its subscription service LiveEdgar
<http://www.gsionline.com/> now includes online lists of SEC documents going back
to 1973. The service also allows online ordering of the archival documents, which are
sent out as an e-mail attachment. Watch out for the cost, though. LiveEdgar charges
a substantial archive fee (which is being waived for a limited time) of $25 per document
for 6-hour service or $50 for 2-hour service--plus per-page delivery fees.
Philip Mattera
pmattera@goodjobsfirst.org