Two competing US newspapers have settled a lawsuit about one accused the other of repeatedly plagiarising stories.

The Journal Inquirer in Manchester Connecticut alleged that the Hartford Courant, the state's largest daily paper, had copied its local news output.

The JI claimed $7.5m in 2009 after the Courant began aggregating news from competing new sources. But the terms of the final settlement have not been disclosed.

JI's managing editor, Chris Powell, noted that the Courant had previously apologised for its plagiarism.

The controversy followed a severe reduction in the Courant's news staff and the disappearance of most local news from the paper.

When the plagiarism was revealed the Courant suffered criticism and condemnation in journalism circles across the States.

The JI is a family-owned paper while the Courant is owned by the Tribune media conglomerate, which has been in bankruptcy since 2008.

Sources: Washington Post/Journal-Inquirer