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Verragio Accuses The Art of Jewels of Design Infringement in Federal Lawsuit August 05, 2024 (0 comments)
San Francisco, CA--Verragio, a New York-based jewelry brand, has filed a lawsuit against The Art of Jewels and Fine Art LLC, a retailer based in San Francisco, alleging that the company copied its distinctive engagement ring and wedding band designs.
[Image via istockphoto.com]
According to a report in Modern Jeweller, the lawsuit, submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on July 26, accuses The Art of Jewels of copyright infringement, trademark counterfeiting and infringement, and unfair competition.
Founded in 1990, The Art of Jewels describes itself as the leading marketplace for lab-grown diamonds in the U.S. The lawsuit alleges that the company has been selling jewelry that replicates Verragio's unique designs. Verragio, led by founder and CEO Barry Nisguretsky, known professionally as Barry Verragio, specifically points to the alleged unauthorized use of its trademarked "Verragio Crest" design.
Per the report, court documents reveal screenshots comparing Verragio's rings with those sold by The Art of Jewels, emphasizing the claimed similarities. Verragio contends that its federally registered "Verragio Crest" trademark is a distinct design element that signifies the brand's unique identity and single source of origin.
Verragio asserts that the alleged infringement has caused significant damage to its business, creating consumer confusion in the market. The company is seeking a permanent injunction to prevent The Art of Jewels from continuing to produce and sell the contested designs and has requested a jury trial to resolve the matter.
This legal action is part of Verragio's ongoing efforts to defend its intellectual property. In a prior campaign to protect its designs, Verragio sent 30 cease-and-desist letters and pursued 10 lawsuits over an 18-month period starting in 2017. Nisguretsky stated that Verragio remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting its brand, offering assurance to its retail partners that they can exclusively present Verragio's innovative designs.
Learn more in this report by Modern Jeweler.