Pa. newspapers settle suit over obituaries' use

Competing newspapers in northeastern Pennsylvania have settled a lawsuit over a plagiarism allegation with a letter of apology.

The Times-Tribune of Scranton filed a lawsuit last year claiming the Times Leader of Wilkes-Barre had lifted more than 50 of its obituaries for a new edition meant to compete with the Scranton paper.

The Times Leader claimed it was entitled to publish the obituaries from Legacy.com, a Web site that partners with newspapers to place obituaries online. Both papers are affiliated with the site. At the time of the suit, Legacy.com said it did not allow the practice.

Ralph Kates, an attorney for the Times Leader, says the letter of apology contains no admission of guilt. Officials from both papers said they were pleased with the settlement.

- Associated Press