Apple eyes

Apple is in talks with record companies includ ing Universal Music, Sony Music, Warner Music and EMI to give iTunes music buyers eas ier access to their songs on multiple devices.

Going ‘square

American Express will offer discounts via Four square Labs, which lets users win prizes and meet people by using their mo bile phones to “check in” at their favorite bars, res taurants and stores, WSJ.com reported.

AOL layoffs

AOL is planning layoffs, which people familiar with the matter say could come after its Huffington Post purchase closes or sooner, WSJ.com re ported.

Barnes blow

Barnes & Noble won a Delaware Supreme Court ruling affirming a lower- court judge’s decision that its poison pill is valid, dealing a blow to billionaire Ron Burkle’s Yucaipa Cos., which sued to gain board seats.

Joe names

St. Joe Co. named Fair holme Capital Manage ment’s Bruce Berkowitz as its chairman and elimi nated a poison-pill plan. CEO Britt Greene re signed and three other di rectors left the board this week under pressure from Berkowitz.