Briefs

Facebook announced on Nov. 29 that it had reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission that requires the social networking giant to get permission from users before overriding their personal privacy preferences about sharing information with third parties. The settlement also requires Facebook to submit to an annual, independent review of its privacy practices for a period of 20 years. The social networking firm’s efforts to resolve privacy complaints should help smooth its path to an IPO, which it aims to hold sometime between April and June of next year, according to the Wall Street Journal. Facebook plans to raise about $10 billion, valuing the company at more than $100 billion.

Independent film and TV company Lions Gate Entertainment has restarted merger talks with Summit Entertainment, the studio behind the wildly successful Twilight vampire film franchise, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The companies’ earlier discussions broke down over price and control issues. A deal would give Lions Gate access to profits from Twilight, which has already grossed $2.3 billion in international box office sales. Summit is considering additional suitors. Both companies declined to comment.