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Knoll, Alphaville settle dispute related to “Barcelona” furniture design
Here is the official joint Press Release: March 31 / Knoll, Inc. and Alphaville Design, Inc. announced today that they have settled their dispute relating to Knoll's registered "BARCELONA®" trademark (U.S. Trademark Registration No. 772,313), and its trademarks relating to the Barcelona Chair (U.S. Trademark Registration No. 2,893,025), Barcelona Stool (U.S. Trademark No. 2,894,977), Barcelona Couch (U.S. Trademark No. 2,894,980), Barcelona Table (U.S. Trademark No. 2,894,979), and Flat Brno Chair (U.S. Trademark No. 2,894,978). Knoll had alleged that certain products sold by Alphaville Design infringed the Knoll trademarks, while Alphaville Design claimed that the trademarks were invalid. To resolve the dispute, Alphaville Design, Inc. and its owners, David and Peggy Lee, acknowledged the validity of, and Knoll's rights to, the above-referenced trademarks, and in return Knoll granted them the right to sell similar products for a limited period of time. In connection with the settlement, the parties have agreed to dismiss the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Suit to settle whether Barcelona chair design is protectedKnoll, Alphaville duel over Mies van der Rohe worksGary Evans -- Furniture Today, July 30, 2009SAN FRANCISCO — A federal lawsuit here will determine whether the Barcelona chair and other historic 1920s designs created by renowned designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe are in the public domain. The case involves contract manufacturer Knoll, which claims exclusive trademark rights to the iconic chair, and residential producer Alphaville Design of Fremont, Calif. The companies have been in a legal battle over the chair since 2007. The court recently cleared the way for a jury trial when it denied motions from both sides to resolve the case short of trial. In the ruling, the court said, "Specifically, the trademark rights will not be valid if the designs have gone into the public domain at any time. ..." "We are delighted at the chance to present our case to a jury," said Alphaville President David W.F. Lee. "We have no doubt that the designs long ago passed into the public domain. ... We feel that historical designs should be accessible to all. If we win, the people win. If we lose, that might be the day when affordable design dies." |
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