Briefly

By Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 11, 2000

NETSCAPE TO MODIFY DOWNLOAD PROGRAM: Web browser designer Netscape Communications said it will revise a program for downloading files from the Internet so that it will no longer collect data about users' online activity. The software, called SmartDownload, is the subject of a federal class-action lawsuit that claims it violates a federal law protecting computer users' privacy. The program, which is designed to make it easier for people to download large files, also provides information to Netscape about what kinds of files a user is downloading.

UNITED'S WOES COULD TOTAL $150-MILLION: United Airlines' president said the company is on a pace to lose as much as $150-million in the summer quarter alone from turmoil that has caused a rash of flight delays and thousands of cancellations. Rono Dutta called an analyst's estimate of a pretax loss of $120-million to $150-million in the third quarter "in the ballpark." United said it lost $50-million because of labor woes in the second quarter. Its stock fell $1.25 to close at $49.88.

ELECTRONIC ARTS GETS RIGHTS TO POTTER GAMES: Electronic Arts Inc. said it won exclusive rights to design games based on Warner Bros.' popular Harry Potter book series. Terms of the agreement with the Time Warner Inc. unit weren't disclosed. EA also will publish games based on Warner Bros. Pictures upcoming film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

AMERICAN AIRLINES SETTLES BIAS CASE: American Airlines settled a 10-year dispute with the Department of Labor over alleged discrimination by agreeing to pay nearly $1.7-million to 99 disabled people who were denied jobs with the company in Detroit and Nashville, Tenn. American admitted no wrongdoing but has changed its medical screening practices for job applicants at both airports to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act.

DISNEY FACES ACCESS SUIT: Walt Disney Co. was accused in lawsuits of failing to make its theme parks and its cruise ships accessible to disabled consumers. A disabled advocacy group contends Disney is violating the Americans With Disabilities Act by failing to add wheelchair-accessible ramps, doorways and toilets to its Disney World complex and two ships, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. Lance Richard, a Stuart lawyer representing a wheelchair-bound Disney visitor, said he is not seeking monetary damages. "Once (the problems) are fixed, we'll go away." Disney officials weren't immediately available for comment.

NEW OREOS TO DEBUT NEXT WEEK: Nabisco Biscuit Co.'s Mini Oreo cookies are slated to hit stores shelves Monday. A spokesman said the company plans to make 25-million pounds of the tiny treats and that the Mini Oreo is the largest product launch in the history of the brand. The quarter-sized cookies are an attempt to grab the "on-the-go snacking market," said Archie Mack, business director for the Oreo brand.

TREASURY AUCTION: Yields on 30-year Treasury bonds fell in Thursday's auction. The yield dropped to 5.697 percent, down from 6.340 percent at the last auction of 30-year bonds on Feb. 10. A total of $5-billion in bonds were sold out of bids totaling $18.6-billion.

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