The on-line industry, which saw the overturned decency statute as a threat to its growth, is similarly opposed to the suggested legislative measures.

The on-line industry itself is new, of course, and evolving quickly.

The attorneys general said they would continue to monitor America Online and the rest of the on-line industry, especially marketing practices.

The cutback is part of a broader shake-out in the on-line industry.

In recent years, consumer resistance has prompted much of the on-line industry to move from added charges toward flat fees.

Clearly, Microsoft's foray into network services is going to pressure the on-line industry to change the rules it plays by.

We chose not to move at this time because this is an extremely competitive period for the on-line industry.

The on-line industry seems to be moving toward a future that looks like the past: television.

"But we want to invest in where the Internet industry is going, not where the on-line industry has been."

The two companies' retreat from the on-line industry comes at time when the number of on-line subscribers has nearly doubled in a year.