In brief: J.C. Penney wins dispute against Macy’s

NEW YORK – Macy’s Inc. has lost a bid to prevent rival J.C. Penney Co. from selling some Martha Stewart-branded products in its stores.

New York State Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Oing denied Macy’s request on Thursday. The judge said J.C. Penney is already abiding by an injunction that prevents it from selling certain Martha Stewart-brand items such as cookware, kitchen utensils, and bed and bath products that fall under an exclusive Macy’s contract, Macy’s Inc. spokeswoman Sharon Bateman said Friday in an email to the Associated Press.

Last year, J.C. Penney bought a nearly 17 percent stake in Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. and announced plans to open Martha Stewart mini-shops in its stores starting in February 2013. But the partnership prompted Cincinnati-based Macy’s to sue Martha Stewart Living and J.C. Penney. Macy’s had sought unspecified damages and an order blocking the deal.

Tokyo court: Samsung did not copy Apple

TOKYO – A Tokyo court on Friday dismissed Apple Inc.’s claim that Samsung Electronics Co. had infringed on its patent – the latest ruling in the global legal battle between the two technology titans over smartphones.

The Japanese court case addressed only the synchronizing technology that allows media players to share data with personal computers and was not comparable in scope to the much larger victory that Apple won in the U.S. last week.

Lego’s new girl series help profits escalate

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Lego’s new line of toys created specifically for girls helped first-half profits jump 35 percent, despite criticism for fueling gender stereotypes.

The family-owned Danish toy maker on Friday said net profit rose to $336 million, from $250 million in the first six months of 2011. Sales rose 24 percent to $1.5 billion.

The company said it sold twice as many Lego Friends sets as expected during the first six months of the year.

When Lego Friends was launched earlier this year, it was met with protests from some consumer groups saying the toys were reinforcing gender stereotypes. The line includes a set for girls with mini-figures in pink, purple and green settings, a dream house, a splash pool and a beauty shop.

Taco Bell adding Mtn Dew A.M. drink

NEW YORK – Rise and shine. It’s time for breakfast soda.

Taco Bell said Friday that it’s adding Mtn Dew A.M. – a mix of Mountain Dew soda and Tropicana orange juice – to its breakfast menu, which was rolled out earlier this year at select locations. Separately, the industry tracker Beverage Digest said that PepsiCo Inc. next year plans to introduce a drink made with juice, Mountain Dew Kickstart.

Factory orders rose 2.8 percent in July

WASHINGTON – Orders to U.S. companies rose in July, reflecting a surge in demand for autos and commercial aircraft. But in a troubling sign of manufacturing weakness, a key orders category that tracks business investment plans fell by the largest amount in eight months.

Factory orders rose 2.8 percent in July, the biggest overall advance in a year, reflecting sizable gains in demand for motor vehicles and airplanes, the Commerce Department said Friday. But core capital goods orders, viewed as a good proxy for investment spending, plunged 4 percent, the fourth setback in the past five months.