Fabric companies file knock-off suit against furniture suppliers

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 8/18/2006 11:47:00 AM

Greensboro, N.C. - Eastern Accents, American Silk Mills, Duralee Fabrics, Joan Fabrics, P. Kaufmann Fabrics, Quaker Fabric and Sunbury Textile Mills have filed suit against Ashley Furniture Inds. and Southwestern Furniture of Wisconsin, claiming they committed "unlawful and intentional copying and sales of copyrighted fabric designs, as well as deceptive trade practices constituting unfair competition."

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, further states their actions "have caused and will continue to cause, irreparable harm," as well as significant monetary damages.

The lawsuit cites 14 specific collections that allege "Ashley Knock Off Collections," along with several other collections. Additionally, the suit charges that Ashley used a photograph of an Eastern Accents’

product on the packaging of an Ashley product. The suit claims that Ashley has copied no fewer than 14 copyrighted designs from the seven companies bringing the charges.

Designs claimed to be "Ashley knock offs" include: American Silk’s No.

8722-1004, Terrapin and Vanderbilt; Duralee’s Ashley; Joan’s Trends, Rowayton, Eryn, and 82 Alberta; P. Kaufmann’s Rambling Rose manufactured and marketed by its Bloomcraft division; Quaker’s Miller Falls, Edinway(Oxford), and New Satin (Versailles); and Sunbury’s Crowned Fleur and Carriage Ride.

Ashley executives did not respond to requests for comment.