Penney, Macy’s argue over Martha Stewart

8/2/2013

NEW YORK — After a three-month break, attorneys for J.C. Penney Co. and Macy’s Inc. squared off in a New York court Thursday as they presented closing arguments in a contract dispute case centered on their partnership with home maven Martha Stewart.

Mark Epstein, one of the lead attorneys representing Penney, told New York State Supreme Court Judge Jeffrey Oing that if Macy’s wanted to prevent others from selling goods in its exclusive categories like pots and bath items, it should have written a better contract.

And Theodore Grossman, who represents Macy’s, said Penney was using any excuse to hide the reality that it intentionally interfered with Macy’s contract with Martha Stewart when it signed a merchandising deal in December, 2011.