BLOCKBUSTER SETTLES

LOS ANGELES — Blockbuster Inc. is paying $300,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging the video rental chain overcharged some of its California customers for candy, popcorn, movies and other merchandise. The stipulated judgment announced Monday ends a nearly five-year investigation into the way Blockbuster rang up sales in 14 California counties.

The probe found more than 3,800 discrepancies between the final sales price and the prices that had been advertised or posted in the 82 stores where the problems surfaced, said Gina Darvas, a deputy district attorney for San Diego County. None of the alleged overcharging involved video rentals, Darvas said.




wire reports

Blockbuster Amends Loan

Blockbusters Inc , said Friday that its revolving and term loan agreement has been amended , giving the struggling company some breathing room on its finances amind a deeping recession and increased compeition .

The video rental company had lined up tentative financing deals , but cautioned last month that its auditor was doudts about its abitiy to stay in business .