Macy's wins temporary block against Martha Stewart

NEW YORK (AP) -- Macy's Inc. says Friday it has won a preliminary block against Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. selling some of its products at J.C. Penney.

Department-store chain Macy's sued Martha Stewart Living in January in a bid to stop a licensing deal between the housewares company and J.C. Penney.

Macy's had claimed Martha Stewart's deal with Penney violates the terms of an exclusive pact Macy's has to sell Martha Stewart-branded products at its stores. The complaint came after Penney acquired a 16.6 percent stake in Martha Stewart Living and announced plans last December to open Martha Stewart mini-shops beginning next year.

The lawsuit was filed in New York State Supreme Court.

Penney is based in Plano, Texas. Macy's is based in Cincinnati.

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