Kickin' It Old School

On August 5, 2010, Schoolhouse Furniture, Inc. and Artco-Bell Corporation filed a patent infringement action against School Specialty, Inc. for the alleged infringement of U.S. Design Patent No. D566,979. Artco-Bell is the exclusive licensee of the '979 Patent. The patent covers a relatively simple chair. Comparisons of the figures from the '979 Patent and photographs of School Specialty's chairs are below. The '979 Patent is a good example of how design patents can protect furniture designs that are not subject to copyright protection.

Plaintiffs are represented by Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione.