Computer Associates, U.S. Settle Merger Case

Computer Associates International Inc. has agreed to pay the U.S. government $638,000 to settle charges it violated pre-merger rules when it struck a deal in 1999 to buy Platinum Technology Inc., the two sides said.

The Justice Department sued the world’s No. 4 software maker last year, alleging that Computer Associates International and Platinum had agreed that Platinum would limit price discounts and other terms to customers during the mandatory pre-merger waiting period, a violation known as “gun jumping.”

As part of the settlement, Computer Associates will be prevented from agreeing on prices, approving or rejecting proposed customer contracts and exchanging prospective bid information with future merger partners.