A summary of Southern California-related business litigation developments during the past week.

Walt Disney Pictures Accused of Age Bias: A suit filed Wednesday by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission accuses Walt Disney Pictures of discriminating against a 58-year-old executive assistant because of her age. The U.S. District Court suit, filed in Los Angeles, alleges that Sheila Barnes was discharged when a new, 36-year-old vice president of motion picture production told her she was being replaced because of a “generation gap” that existed between them. Barnes, who has more than 25 years of experience, was told to report to a lower-level position into which a 19-year-old with two years’ secretarial experience eventually was hired, says the suit, which seeks reinstatement, back pay and damages. (Filed July 24, 2990. Case No. 90-3900)