Gillette, Schick End Dispute

Gillette and Schick-Wilkinson Sword have ended a long-running duel over patents and advertising claims, the world’s two largest razor makers said Thursday.

“Both companies have resolved the vast majority of litigation between them,” a Gillette spokesman said. While the two “will remain competitors, we’ll compete in the marketplace, not in the courtroom.”

A spokeswoman for Schick parent company Energizer Holdings Inc. said the matter was settled out of court within the last week, and that terms were confidential.

Gillette, which is owned by Procter & Gamble Co., is the No. 1 razor company. It had argued in its litigation that any razor head with a group of three blades would be covered by a patent it holds.

Energizer introduced its Quattro razors after Gillette’s three-bladed razors, such as Mach3, hit the shelves.

Schick also had sued Gillette over advertising claims.

Procter & Gamble rose 62 cents to $60.73. Energizer shares were up 79 cents at $56.18.