ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, February 14, 1996           TAG: 9602140063
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: B-8  EDITION: METRO 

IN BUSINESS

CompuServe finds electronic censor

CompuServe has lifted its ban on some Internet services deemed indecent by prosecutors in Germany and will provide users porn-blocking software.

But it wasn't clear Tuesday whether the plan will satisfy German authorities, who warned the on-line service in December that about 200 ``newsgroups'' - Internet bulletin boards carried by CompuServe - might violate German obscenity laws. CompuServe responded by closing the newsgroups to its 4 million customers worldwide, a move that angered free speech advocates in the United States and other countries.

CompuServe has bought the license to an Internet filtering program called Cyber Patrol, made by Microsystems Inc. of Framingham, Mass. The full-featured version sells for $49, but CompuServe will distribute its version to subscribers at no charge. The program can be set to screen out not just porn, but materials with violent or racist content, or those featuring gambling or drug use.

- The Boston Globe

Toronto company to buy Shelton-Witt

Strong Equipment Corp. of Toronto, Ontario, said Tuesday it agreed to acquire Shelton-Witt Equipment Corp. of Salem, which distributes and services heavy equipment and has branches in Norfolk, Richmond and Wise. Shelton-Witt has annual sales of more than $22 million. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Strong said it plans no change in the management of Shelton-Witt or at the sites where it operates. The acquisition provides Strong a significant base in the Southeastern United States, which is part of the company's growth strategy, said Chairman Larry Pirnak.

- Staff report

Crestar agency buys Insurance-Mart

Crestar Insurance Agency Inc., based in Richmond, has acquired Insurance-Mart Inc. of Roanoke, which had been operated by Larry G. Woods and Pamela M. Woods. The Insurance-Mart office at 5121 Airport Road will close. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

John Raymond, president of Crestar Insurance, said the merger solidifies Crestar's presence in the Roanoke area and complements the agency's growth and marketing goals.

Larry Woods was named vice president of sales for the Crestar agency. He will be responsible for agent recruiting, sales development and carrier relationships in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. His office will be in Richmond.

- Staff report

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