Blackstone-owned Hilton Worldwide has settled its Denizen lawsuit with Starwood Hotels.
Starwood launched a legal bid in April 2009, alleging that two of its former executives - Ross Klein and Amar Lalvani - who were poached by Hilton to launch its new Denizen lifestyle brand, took with them thousands of stolen documents and computer files used to develop its own W boutique brand.
After the allegations Hilton suspended development of its Denizen hotel brand and placed the two former Starwood executives accused of stealing trade secrets on paid administrative leave.
Hilton has been banned from creating a "boutique" hotel chain as part of a settlement for two years, or hiring any Starwood employee for its luxury business arm during that period.
Although details of the settlement are private, the New York Times reported the hotel giant had been forced to pay Starwood $75m (£49m) as part of the settlement.
