French Heritage, Ethan Allen Settle Suit

We reported on September 2, 2008 that the business interference suit brought by French Heritage against Ethan Allen was set to begin trial. Furniture Today now reports that the parties have settled the dispute without disclosing details due to a confidentiality agreement. Furniture Today reports:

French Heritage, a manufacturer of case goods and accent furniture, had claimed it had an exclusivity agreement with Indonesian manufacturer PT Alis Jaya Ciptatama regarding the sourcing of Ethan Allen products. French Heritage also said it had formed a joint venture with the same factory called PT Alis French Heritage.

It claimed that Ethan Allen ended up sourcing goods directly from the factory without approval from French Heritage. It also said that Ethan Allen ultimately cut it out of the joint venture relationship, which French Heritage said ultimately represented a loss between $3 million and $4 million worth of production.

The case went to trial here Sept. 3 but French Heritage withdrew it Sept. 25, according to an official with Stamford Superior Court.

The full article may be found here.