Computer Associates Drops Legal Action

Computer Associates agreed to drop all legal action against Computer Sciences Corp. of El Segundo stemming from CA’s failed 1998 effort to buy the computer services and consulting firm. CA, of Islandia, N.Y., had sued CSC, claiming it improperly interfered with its offer to shareholders to buy the company. The cases were dismissed, and CA said it has dropped its appeals. In addition, the companies expanded an agreement for CSC to distribute systems management software made by Platinum Technology, which CA recently acquired. The deal will allow CSC to sell a wider range of Platinum products to customers all over the world, CSC spokesman Frank Polare said. In NYSE trading, Computer Sciences shares closed at $65.19, up $44 cents; Computer Associates shares fell $2.88 to close at $59.75.