Blackburn commercial law specialists Taylors has helped one of the Europe’s leading furnishing manufacturers win a copyright battle.
Belfield Furnishings Group successfully settled a claim against Avi Weisz of AWC Consultancies for infringement of copyright of Belfield’s Arden design.
Belfield was represented by Tony Catterall of Taylors Solicitors one of the UK’s leading experts in copyright law and an affiliate lawyer with Anti Copying In Design (ACID). He ensured the case was settled without the need for court proceedings.
Derbyshire-based Belfield had threatened infringement proceedings against both AWC and Mr Weisz for importing, selling and offering for sale their design Mulberry. The claim was settled after an agreement from AWC and Mr Weisz not to import or sell any further quantities of the infringing design and to hand over remaining stock to Belfield.
In addition, AWC has to pay profits and costs caused by the violation and publish an apology in the trade press which will bring the breach to the attention of the rest of the furnishings trade.
Rob Stone of Belfield Furnishings said: “We are very happy with the outcome achieved by Taylors on the Company’s behalf.
“As one of Europe’s largest and most successful manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of upholstered furniture, soft furnishings, curtains and accessories, caravan interiors and beds we invest heavily in product design. We can only protect that investment and our reputation by taking action when our intellectual property rights are infringed. I am delighted that Taylors have secured a satisfactory settlement for us.”
Tony Catterall of Taylors said: “I am very pleased to have secured a rapid and worthwhile settlement of this infringement claim. The dispute was brought to a conclusion without the delay and expense of a trial and is further evidence that it is possible to nip infringements in the bud at reasonable cost.
“We hope that trade press interest in the outcome should put potential infringers on notice that the Belfield Group will not stand by and have its intellectual property rights abused by infringers.”
With offices in Manchester, Wigan and Blackburn, Taylors is a law firm specialising in all aspects of commercial law. The dynamic and highly experienced lawyers at Taylors are committed to providing the highest quality service through a real understanding of our clients’ needs, business priorities and specific requirements.
For further information contact Tony Catterall, Head of the Intellectual Property Team at Taylors, on 01254 297900 or via email at tony.catterall@taylors.co.uk. Taylors is the only North West based firm to have been appointed as a legal affiliate to the National organisation Anti Copying In Design (“ACID”).