Gemstar Trims Loss as Legal Expenses Fall

Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc., the biggest maker of software for electronic television program guides, said its net loss narrowed in the first quarter because legal expenses declined.

The loss narrowed to $3.75 million, or 1 cent a share, from $39.8 million, or 9 cents, a year earlier, Hollywood-based Gemstar said. Sales fell 9.2% to $175.4 million.

Legal expenses fell to $6.5 million from $18.2 million a year earlier, the company said. Costs dropped after Gemstar settled an investigation of its accounting by the Securities and Exchange Commission and moved closer to resolving a patent dispute with Scientific-Atlanta Inc.