Legal

The Associated Press and a clothing maker distributing merchandise based on artist Shepard Fairey's work have settled copyright claims stemming from the use of an AP photograph to create the artist's Barack Obama 'HOPE' image.

Golden Gate Capital Corp., a private equity firm, agreed to sell a majority stake in the J. Jill clothing business to Arcapita Bank BSC, a Bahrain-based investment bank, less than two years after buying the company.

The Associated Press has sued Urban Outfitters and other clothing retailers in federal court, accusing them of selling T-shirts that violate the news agency's copyright of a photograph of Barack Obama that an artist's "HOPE" image was based on.

Rugged Bear is closing all 29 stores after more than 30 years of selling children's clothes throughout the Northeast. The liquidation comes after the struggling retailer announced it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Jan. 25. Going-out-of-business sales began in all stores on March 4 and will continue until all merchandise is sold.

Wal-Mart Watch, a union-funded group that advocates for Wal-Mart Stores' workers, said Justice Antonin Scalia should disqualify himself when the U.S. Supreme Court considers the company’s bid to derail a gender-bias suit on behalf of potentially one million employees.

Amazon said it's severing ties with affiliates in Illinois, citing a law signed that imposes taxes on consumers who make online purchases. The affiliates — websites that send customers to Amazon through links — will no longer be paid for sales that result from the referrals, Seattle-based Amazon said in an email.

A group called Alliance for Main Street Fairness argues that by failing to collect sales taxes, online retailers like Amazon have an unfair advantage over brick-and-mortar stores that's costing jobs, killing businesses and contributing to state budget deficits.

San Francisco's mayor says the city has reached a $4.25 million settlement with Office Depot over allegations that the company overcharged for office supplies. Mayor Edwin Lee signed a Board of Supervisors resolution authorizing the settlement, which includes a $3.75 million payment and a $500,000 purchasing credit.

American Apparel has issued a statement responding to the allegations that founder Dov Charney forced a teenage employee into sex. The former employee's civil suit is asking for $250 million from the struggling company.

Skechers USA has sued Sears Holdings Corp., alleging that the chain was selling footwear that infringed on some of Skechers' brands, including its toning Shape-ups line.