A Delaware court upheld a “poison pill” defense.

The state’s Supreme Court upheld a plan by Household International to issue “poison pill” securities aimed at blocking a hostile takeover. The ruling was a victory, not only for Household but for other companies, including McDonald’s, RCA and Dart & Kraft, that have adopted similar plans. Household is a consumer finance, services and manufacturing concern. Household’s directors approved the poison-pill device Aug. 14, 1984, by a 14-1 vote. It was not aimed at a specific bid. The idea is to make such an acquisition prohibitively expensive--or “poisonous”--for the unwelcome suitor to swallow and hence to discourage the takeover.