<PAGE>
OMB APPROVAL
OMB Number:3235-0145
Expires:October 31, 1994
Estimated average burden
hours per form 14.90
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. *)
Netcom On-Line Communication Services, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
641081104
(CUSIP Number)
Christopher J. Rupright, Esq.
Shartsis Friese & Ginsburg
One Maritime Plaza, 18th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 421-6500
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices
and Communications)
February 28, 1996
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is
filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following
box / /.
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with the statement /X/. (A
fee is not required only if the reporting person: (1) has a previous
statement on file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of
the class of securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment
subsequent thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of
such class.) (See Rule 13d-7.)
Note: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed
with the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are
to be sent.
* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which
would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section
of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however,
see the Notes).
SEC 1746 (12-91)
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 2 of 12 Pages
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
West Highland Capital, Inc.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X /
(b) / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
AF
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E) / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
California
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES -0-
BENEFICIALLY --------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH 700,000
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------
PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH -0-
--------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
700,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
700,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
/ /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
6.3
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
CO and IA
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
(INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 3 of 12 Pages
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
West Highland Capital, LLC
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X /
(b) / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
AF
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E) / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
California
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES -0-
BENEFICIALLY --------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH 586,999
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------
PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH -0-
--------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
586,999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
586,999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
/ /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
5.3
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
OO
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
(INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 4 of 12 Pages
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Lang H. Gerhard
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X /
(b) / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
AF
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E) / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES -0-
BENEFICIALLY --------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH 586,999
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------
PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH -0-
--------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
586,999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
586,999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
/ /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
5.3
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
(INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 5 of 12 Pages
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
West Highland Partners, L.P.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X /
(b) / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
WC
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E) / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
California
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES -0-
BENEFICIALLY --------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH 495,999
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------
PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH -0-
--------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
495,999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
495,999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
/ /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
4.5
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
(INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 6 of 12 Pages
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Buttonwood Partners, L.P.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X /
(b) / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
WC
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E) / /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
California
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES -0-
BENEFICIALLY --------------------------------------------------
OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH 91,000
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------
PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH -0-
--------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
91,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
91,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
/ /
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
0.8
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
(INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 7 of 12 Pages
ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER.
This statement relates to shares of Common Stock (the "Stock") of Netcom On-
Line Communication Services, Inc. ("NETC"). The principal executive office
of NETC is located at 3031 Tisch Way, 2nd Floor, San Jose, CA 95128.
ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.
The persons filing this statement and the persons enumerated in Instruction
C of Schedule 13D and, where applicable, their respective places of
organization, general partners, directors, executive officers and controlling
persons, and the information regarding them, is as follows:
(a) Lang H. Gerhard ("Gerhard"); West Highland Capital, Inc., a California
corporation ("WHC"); West Highland Capital, LLC, a California limited
liability company ("LLC"); West Highland Partners, L.P., a California
limited partnership ("WHP"); Buttonwood Partners, L.P., a California
limited partnership ("BP").
(b) The business address of Gerhard, WHC, LLC, WHP and BP is 300 Drake's
Landing Road, Suite 290, Greenbrae, California 94904.
(c) Gerhard is the sole director and occupies all the executive offices of
WHC, which is an investment adviser. Gerhard is the sole manager of
LLC. WHC, LLC and Gerhard are the general partners of WHP and BP, which
are investment limited partnerships.
(d) During the last five years, none of such persons has been convicted in
a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar
misdemeanors).
(e) During the last five years, none of such persons was a party to a civil
proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent
jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a
judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or
prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state
securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
(f) Gerhard is a citizen of the United States of America.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 8 of 12 Pages
ITEM 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.
The source and amount of funds used in purchasing the Stock were as follows:
Purchaser Source of Funds Amount
WHC Funds Under Management(1) $22,583,286
WHP Working Capital $16,000,793
BP Working Capital $ 2,935,828
(1) Includes funds invested by WHP and BP in Stock.
ITEM 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION.
The sole purpose of the acquisitions of the Stock reported herein was and is
for investment.
ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.
The beneficial ownership of the Stock of the persons named in Item 2 of this
statement is as follows at the date hereof:
Aggregate
Beneficially
Owned Voting Power Dispositive Power
Name Number Percent Sole Shared Sole Shared
WHC 700,000 6.3 -0- 700,000 -0- 700,000
Gerhard 586,999 5.3 -0- 586,999 -0- 586,999
LLC 586,999 5.3 -0- 586,999 -0- 586,999
WHP 495,999 4.5 -0- 495,999 -0- 495,999
BP 91,000 0.8 -0- 91,000 -0- 91,000
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 9 of 12 Pages
The persons filing this statement effected the following transactions in the
Stock on the dates indicated, and such transactions are the only transactions
by the persons filing this statement in the Stock since December 31, 1995:
Purchase Number Price Broker
Name or Sale Date of Shares Per Share Used
WHC P 1-17-96 187 33.8750 INST
BP P 1-17-96 143 33.8750 INST
WHP P 1-17-96 770 33.8750 INST
WHC P 1-17-96 8,500 34.7250 ABSB
BP P 1-17-96 6,500 34.7250 ABSB
WHP P 1-17-96 35,000 34.7250 ABSB
WHC P 1-18-96 5,100 31.2917 HRZG
BP P 1-18-96 3,900 31.2917 HRZG
WHP P 1-18-96 21,000 31.2917 HRZG
WHC P 1-19-96 3,230 32.7171 HRZG
BP P 1-19-96 2,470 32.7171 HRZG
WHP P 1-19-96 13,300 32.7171 HRZG
WHC P 1-31-96 4,000 30.3800 INST
BP P 1-31-96 3,250 30.3800 INST
WHP P 1-31-96 17,750 30.3800 INST
WHC P 2-08-96 1,600 30.4375 ABSB
BP P 2-08-96 1,300 30.4375 ABSB
WHP P 2-08-96 7,100 30.4375 ABSB
WHC P 2-08-96 17,264 28.8868 INST
BP P 2-08-96 14,027 28.8868 INST
WHP P 2-08-96 76,609 28.8868 INST
WHC P 2-09-96 544 29.1985 INST
BP P 2-09-96 442 29.1985 INST
WHP P 2-09-96 2,414 29.1985 INST
WHC P 2-09-96 4,000 29.7500 ABSB
BP P 2-09-96 3,250 29.7500 ABSB
WHP P 2-09-96 17,750 29.7500 ABSB
WHC P 2-12-96 3,200 30.1313 INST
BP P 2-12-96 2,600 30.1313 INST
WHP P 2-12-96 14,200 30.1313 INST
WHC P 2-14-96 1,376 30.7500 ABSB
BP P 2-14-96 1,118 30.7500 ABSB
WHP P 2-14-96 6,106 30.7500 ABSB
WHC P 2-27-96 3,200 22.7310 INST
BP P 2-27-96 2,600 22.7310 INST
WHP P 2-27-96 14,200 22.7310 INST
WHC P 2-27-96 6,400 23.0000 ABSB
BP P 2-27-96 5,200 23.0000 ABSB
WHP P 2-27-96 28,400 23.0000 ABSB
(Table continued on next page)<PAGE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 10 of 12 Pages
(Table continued from previous page)
WHC P 2-28-96 24,000 20.5056 INST
BP P 2-28-96 19,500 20.5056 INST
WHP P 2-28-96 106,500 20.5056 INST
WHC P 2-28-96 16,000 20.9063 ABSB
BP P 2-28-96 13,000 20.9063 ABSB
WHP P 2-28-96 71,000 20.9063 ABSB
WHC P 2-29-96 6,400 22.5313 INST
BP P 2-29-96 5,200 22.5313 INST
WHP P 2-29-96 28,400 22.5313 INST
WHC P 2-29-96 8,000 22.5060 ABSB
BP P 2-29-96 6,500 22.5060 ABSB
WHP P 2-29-96 35,500 22.5060 ABSB
ABSB - Alex Brown & Sons Incorporated
INST - Instanet Corporation
HRZG - Herzog, Heine, Geduld, Inc.
ITEM. 6. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH
RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.
Gerhard, WHC and LLC are the general partners of WHP and BP pursuant to
limited partnership agreements providing to Gerhard, WHC and LLC the
authority, among other things, to invest the funds of WHP and BP in Stock, to
vote and dispose of stock and to file this statement on behalf of WHP and BP.
Pursuant to such limited partnership agreements, the general partners of WHP
and BP are entitled to allocations based on assets under management and
realized and unrealized gains, if certain conditions are met. Pursuant to
investment management agreements, WHC is authorized, among other things, to
invest funds of its various investment advisory clients, and to vote and
dispose of those securities. Such investment management agreements may be
terminated by either party on notice as provided in such agreements and
provide for fees payable to WHC based on assets under management and realized
and unrealized gains.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 11 of 12 Pages
ITEM 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.
A. Agreement Regarding Joint Filing of Statement on Schedule 13D or 13G
(including power of attorney).
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge, I certify that
the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
DATED: March 7, 1996.
/s/ Lang H. Gerhard WEST HIGHLAND PARTNERS, L.P.
Lang H. Gerhard
WEST HIGHLAND CAPITAL, INC. By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard,
General Partner
By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard, President BUTTONWOOD PARTNERS, L.P.
WEST HIGHLAND CAPITAL, LLC
By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard,
General Partner
By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard, Manager
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 12 of 12 Pages
EXHIBIT A
AGREEMENT REGARDING JOINT FILING
OF STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 13D OR 13G
The undersigned agree to file jointly with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") any and all statements on Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G
(and any amendments or supplements thereto) required under section 13(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with purchases
by the undersigned of securities of Netcom On-Line Communication Services,
Inc. For that purpose, the undersigned hereby constitute and appoint West
Highland Capital, Inc., a California corporation, as their true and lawful
agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority for and on behalf
of the undersigned to prepare or cause to be prepared, sign, file with the
SEC and furnish to any other person all certificates, instruments, agreements
and documents necessary to comply with section 13(d) and section 16(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with said
purchases, and to do and perform every act necessary and proper to be done
incident to the exercise of the foregoing power, as fully as the undersigned
might or could do if personally present.
DATED: March 7, 1996.
/s/ Lang H. Gerhard WEST HIGHLAND PARTNERS, L.P.
Lang H. Gerhard
WEST HIGHLAND CAPITAL, INC. By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard,
General Partner
By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard, President BUTTONWOOD PARTNERS, L.P.
WEST HIGHLAND CAPITAL, LLC
By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard,
General Partner
By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard, Manager
C:\DMS\2463\019\0156253.WP
