Renaissance Takes Vendor On Not-So-Magic Carpet Ride

Renaissance Carpet & Tapestries, Inc., a New York based design, manufacturer, importer, and seller of carpets, filed an action in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (Brooklyn) on January 26, 2009 alleging that defendants Classic Furniture and Germans Bolotnikovs infringe Renaissance's copyright rights. Classic Furniture is allegedly a sole proprietorship in Brooklyn run by Germans Bolotnikovs, an individual. Renaissance alleges infringement of four registered copyrights that cover its Savonnerie Carpets. In addition to the copyright claim, Renaissance alleges unfair competition and false designation of origin, and false copyright management information; the latter based on defendants' alleged use of a copyright notice on the offending carpets.

An image of a Savonnerie rug is not available - alas, it's copyright protected on Renaissance's website.

Jack Hicks to Present at Las Vegas Furniture Market

Jack Hicks, a noted intellectual property attorney with Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC., will be speaking at the upcoming Las Vegas Furniture Market. Hicks' presentation will be on, "Are You Selling a Design Knockoff? Get Ready to Be Sued!"

The intellectual property laws of the United States protect the owners of original furniture designs against unauthorized manufacture, sale, importation and even use. This is true even if the "knockoff" piece of furniture is made overseas. And recent industry changes mean that retailers, manufacturers and distributors who violate these trademark, patent and/or copyright laws are increasingly likely to be sued.

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Thomasville Settles Lawsuit Against Lifestyle Enterprises

Furniture Brands International reports that it has settled a patent infringement lawsuit with High Point's Lifestyle Enterprise. In the lawsuit, Furniture Brands claimed that Lifestyle infringed on Thomasville's long-running Irving Park collection.

The terms of the settlement involve Lifestyle agreeing to a "limited phase-out" of existing inventory to select customers and making a payment to FBI company Thomasville Furniture Inds. "We are pleased to have resolved this matter amicably, and at the same time in a manner that reinforces Thomasville's steadfast commitment to its brands and distinctive designs," said Thomasville President Ed Teplitz.