Business notebook

Agreement: AARP, the largest advocacy group for older Americans, said Genworth Financial Inc. will offer long-term healthcare insurance products to its members.

Guidance: The Department of Agriculture is seeking public comment as it moves to update regulations governing biotech products such as the seeds made by Monsanto Co. and Dow Chemical Co.

Suing: Coca-Cola Co. said its Argentine subsidiary has filed a criminal complaint against executives of a unit of French food and drink maker Danone and public relations firm Euro RSCG, accusing them of orchestrating a smear campaign against Coke's Dasani water brand.

Lobbied for a deal: Legacy Hotels Real Estate Investment Trust, the Canadian owner of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, agreed to be bought by a group including InnVest Real Estate Investment Trust for $1.4 billion.

Vote for your favorite: FremantleMedia, producer of the TV show "American Idol" signed a deal with Lyric Jeans Inc. for an 11-piece line of rock 'n roll-inspired clothing for girls called Lyrix. The line, pictured at right in a company photo, is set to debut in February. Terms were not disclosed.

Site trouble: Backfence Inc., a news website that has allowed its users to write and submit their own articles, is shutting down, citing unspecified "business issues."

It's a gusher: Exxon Mobil Corp. became the first publicly traded company valued above half a trillion dollars. Shares rose 2.7 percent yesterday, pushing the market capitalization of the company to $504.9 billion.

Settlement: Warner Music Group Corp. said it had settled its copyright infringement lawsuit against the social networking website imeem by agreeing to license its music and video content to the site for a slice of its ad revenue. Details were not disclosed.

(Globe wire services)