ALSO . . .

* U.S. District Judge Edward Rafeedie ruled that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has failed to present evidence that Sony Pictures chief John Calley disclosed secret information about the James Bond film franchise that he gained while working as head of MGM’s United Artists unit. MGM, as part of a pending lawsuit with Sony over rights to the lucrative Bond franchise, had accused Sony of misappropriating trade secrets, an allegation that stems from Calley’s tenure at United Artists before he was hired at Sony.

* Terry Curtin, Walt Disney Co.’s senior vice president of publicity, is leaving to join Universal Pictures as executive vice president of publicity. Curtin was at Disney for three years, where she oversaw campaigns for such major films as “Ransom,” “Armageddon,” “101 Dalmatians” and “Mulan.”

* Jefferies Group Inc. said the Internal Revenue Service approved a tax-free spinoff of its 80.5%-owned Investment Technology Group Inc., which offers automated trading services. Los Angeles-based Jefferies and Investment Technology Group will hold shareholder meetings in mid-April to vote on the move and related transactions, which are expected to close a week later.

* Trak Auto Corp., a discount auto parts retailer, agreed to be bought by HalArt, a closely held holding company controlled by former Exide Corp. Chief Executive Arthur Hawkins, for $53.2 million, or $9 a share, in cash. The deal ends a nine-month search for a buyer.

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