US authorities have been investigating Oracle for at least a year to see if the business software titan violated anti-bribery laws in its overseas business, the Wall Street Journal reported.

US authorities have been investigating Oracle for at least a year to see if the business software titan violated anti-bribery laws in its overseas business, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

Citing unnamed sources, the Journal said the (FBI) and the Justice Department have been pressing a , as the looks into possible civil violations.

It cited one of the sources as saying that part of the wide-ranging investigation was focused on Oracle's sales to government agencies in Western and Central African countries.

A 1977 law makes it illegal for certain individuals or companies to make payments to foreign government officials in return for assistance in gaining or retaining business.