Qualcomm can't enforce patents in dispute with Broadcom, court rules

Qualcomm Inc. can't enforce patents for technology to transmit DVD-quality video over satellites, wireless devices and the Internet, an appeals court ruled.

The court in Washington upheld a finding that Qualcomm, the world's largest maker of chips that run mobile phones, couldn't enforce its patents against Broadcom Corp. because it never told a standards-setting body about them.

CURRENCY

Flow of dollars to Mexico rises

The amount of dollars sent home by Mexicans living abroad jumped 13% in October as a weaker peso gave the greenback more buying power, Mexico's central bank said.

Remittances rose to $2.4 billion in October, up from $2.2 billion for October 2007, the Bank of Mexico reported.

The peso dropped to record lows in October, briefly trading at 14 to the dollar. A stronger U.S. currency means dollars sent home buy more in Mexico.

Through October, total remittances for the year were down 1.9% at $20 billion.

INSURANCE

Workers' comp fraud is alleged

Insurance authorities say two Southern California business executives have been charged with defrauding the state of $18 million in a workers' compensation scam.

State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said David Zahler and David Tai were charged after a 2 1/2 -year investigation of their temporary employment company, Staffing Services Inc. in Bellflower.

Zahler, who is chief executive, and Tai, who is chief financial officer, are accused of misrepresenting the type of employees for whom they were seeking workers' compensation coverage so they could pay cheaper premiums.

Zahler and Tai could not be reached for comment.

ENTERTAINMENT

Blockbuster, Live Nation sign deal

Blockbuster Inc., the struggling video and game rental company, has signed a three-year ticket distribution deal with Live Nation Worldwide Inc. in Los Angeles, the world's largest live music company.

Live Nation's new in-house ticketing company will sell its retail tickets exclusively through some 500 Blockbuster-owned stores in key concert venue markets.

The stores will exclusively offer blocks of tickets during the first four hours of ticket sales. The companies also plan to offer exclusive concert products and promotions to Blockbuster customers.

BANKING

BofA sells $9 billion in debt

Bank of America Corp. sold $9 billion of debt in the largest bank bond sale since the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. agreed to guarantee the debt.

Citigroup Inc. and Wells Fargo & Co. are also marketing FDIC-backed debt under the FDIC's Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.

BANKRUPTCY

Leiner asks court for an extension

Leiner Health Products Inc., the collapsed vitamin and medicine maker, asked for more time to exit bankruptcy while it resolves a tax claim and a dispute with the company that bought its assets.

Leiner, of Carson, had planned to exit bankruptcy and pay creditors using cash from the sale of its assets to nutritional-supplement maker NBTY Inc. for $385 million.

Without a longer grace period, Leiner faces "a potential risk of disruption," according to U.S. Bankruptcy Court papers filed in Wilmington, Del.

-- times staff and wire reports