The Ontario Securities Commission has scheduled lengthy hearings early in 2004 to hear allegations of illegal insider trading against ATI Technologies, its chairman K.Y. Ho and six other people.

The OSC said Thursday it has scheduled hearings from February 19 to March 10.

ATI, one of the world’s largest makers of computer graphics chips, is alleged to have failed to disclose material information on a timely basis and to have made a misleading statement to OSC staff.

Those alleged to have committed illegal insider trading in a series of offshore transactions more than three years ago are: Ho, Betty Ho, Jo-Anne Chang, David Stone, Mary de la Torre and Alan Rae.

OSC staff alleged in January that activities by those six people resulted in more than $7.9 million in profits or avoided losses and triggered significant tax benefits.

ATI lawyer Sally Daub is also alleged to have made a misleading statement to staff at the OSC’s enforcement branch.