John Charles Designs, Inc. v. Queen International Design, Inc.

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

Plamtiff/Counterclaim Defendant JOHN CHARLES DESIGNS, INC.’s (“JCD”) Motion for Summary Judgment of Patent Infringement and Patent Validity and Defendant/Counterclaimant QUEEN INTERNATIONAL DESIGN, INC.’s (“QUEEN”) Cross Motion for Summary Judgment came before the Court on September 23, 1996. After consideration of the parties’ oral and written arguments, the Court grants Plaintiff JCD’s Motion for Summary Judgment on both claims.

BACKGROUND

Competitors JCD and QUEEN design, manufacture, and market a wide variety of furniture products. Both companies offer a line of furniture (i.e., a sofa, loveseat, and chair in a particular style) that utilizes an armrest distinguished by a “crescent-shaped void extending through the entire length of the armrest.” (Genova Decl. 1Í 4; Dubin Decl. ¶ 4.) The design of the armrest is the subject of this litigation.

JCD has marketed its version of these products since the beginning of 1994 under the designation “Model 808.” On October 3, 1994, JCD filed a United States design patent application, claiming that the armrests were a unique furniture design. This application was approved on…