CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE PREVAILS IN LAWSUIT CHARGING
INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT AND TRADE DRESS FOR RINGS;
LAW FIRM OBTAINS CONSENT JUDGMENT, INJUNCTION
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U.S. District Court Judge Approves Damages, Disgorgement of Profits

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Dec. XX, 2008)—Intellectual property law firm Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP today reported that a United States District Judge has approved a settlement that acknowledges the validity of copyright and trade dress protections for rings designed by a Glendale, Calif., jeweler, and requires a Los Angeles jewelry distributor to pay $150,000 in damages and disgorgement of profits.

The prevailing party in the case is Tacori Enterprises, represented by Christie, Parker & Hale. The defendant is Pink Diamond, Inc.

The settlement, approved by Judge Gary Allen Feess of the United States District Court, Central District of California, permanently enjoins Pink Diamond from copying Tacori products, or infringing on the trade dress of Tacori jewelry.

The settlement also found that Pink Diamond non-willfully infringed on Tacori copyrights when it purchased certain rings from Beverlly Jewellery Company Limited, of Hong Kong. The copyrighted ring designs of Tacori each contain crescents on the side of the shank of the ring.

The settlement followed a Summary Judgment issued by Judge Feess in August against Pink Diamond and Beverlly Jewellery Co. The companies had argued that Tacori Enterprises’ copyright and trade dress claims were not valid, alleging that the ring designs were not original, and that similar designs have existed "for thousands of years." The Court rejected this argument, finding that

Tacori’s "design exhibits a look and feel different from" other ring designs presented by the companies.

"Our clients are gratified by the rulings of Judge Feess," said Howard A. Kroll, the Christie, Parker & Hale litigation partner who led the team representing Tacori. "The decision affirms both their creative work and their right to do business without the burden of unfair competition."

About Christie, Parker & Hale

Christie, Parker & Hale is a leading intellectual property law firm operating at the intersection of science, technology, and the law. Engaged exclusively in all aspects of intellectual property law, most of the firm’s attorneys hold degrees in engineering or the sciences, bringing added value and perspective to client service. Drawing on a 54-year heritage, the firm continues to propel innovation and stimulate business growth by protecting its clients’ most valuable assets—intellectual property.

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