Business briefs 4/22/04

Microsoft offers antitrust concession amid criticism

WASHINGTON -- Microsoft Corp. promised a U.S. judge Wednesday it will offer competitors licenses for some of its technology until at least two years beyond the expiration of the landmark antitrust settlement it negotiated with the Bush administration. Microsoft's surprise concession, announced during a court hearing, responds to concerns in recent months by Justice Department lawyers and U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly that a key provision of the settlement is failing to energize rivals of the world's largest software maker.

Tower Records settles charges over hacking

WASHINGTON -- The company that operates the Web site for music retailer Tower Records has settled complaints by U.S. regulators that it allowed hackers in 2002 to steal personal information about thousands of its online customers. Under the agreement announced Wednesday, MTS Inc. of West Sacramento, Calif., must maintain a "reasonably designed" program to assure the security of customers to the Web site and hire outside consultants every two years during the next decade to test its security.

Computer Associates' exec resigns amid probe

NEW YORK -- Sanjay Kumar resigned Wednesday as chairman and chief executive of Computer Associates International Inc., as the software company's long-simmering accounting scandal finally reached the top. Computer Associates, a $3 billion maker of software for corporate computing systems, is being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission for misrepresenting the timing of contracts to meet Wall Street's quarterly expectations.

-- From wire reports