International News - Kmart hit by Wal-Mart suit over carousel

Wal-Mart Stores is suing rival Kmart for using a plastic bag carousel patented by the US giant last December.

The world's biggest retailer filed a lawsuit on Wednesday July 16 in a Delaware federal court, seeking a jury trial, unspecified damages and an order barring Kmart from using the carousel.

Cashiers use the carousel to support plastic bags while they pack goods, then spin them to make lifting the bags easier for customers.

Wal-Mart had tried to block Kmart's bankruptcy reorganisation earlier in the year over the same issue, claiming it would release Kmart from the infringement claims.