Talks between US department store chains Macy's Inc. and J.C. Penney Co. Inc. to settle their dispute over home goods designed by Martha Stewart have petered out. Wall Street Journal on Friday said that this makes it more likely a judge will have to resolve the matter.
Reuters, citing the WSJ report, said that Macy's and Penney gave closing arguments before Justice Jeffrey Oing of the state Supreme Court in Manhattan in August. The judge could have ruled in the autumn but gave the parties time to reach a settlement on their own.
No discussions are currently taking place, sources told WSJ. The two sides have held on-and-off talks since closing arguments but failed to agree on the amount of damages, the sources said.
Macy's sued Penney and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. in 2012 after the two announced a partnership in December 2011. The said partnership called for Penney to build Martha Stewart shops at nearly 600 of its stores. Macy's claims exclusive rights to Martha Stewart-branded cookware, bedding and bath products, the report said.
Earlier this week, Macy's and Martha Stewart reached a settlement in their own dispute but did not disclose the terms, Reuters said.
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