Events & AwardsApr 17, 2024
And the 2024 Winner of the Shipley Award Is … John Carter received the AGS’s highest honor Tuesday afternoon at Conclave in Austin, Texas.
Policies & IssuesJan 06, 2017
Verragio Says It’s Cracking Down on Copycats
The bridal brand has filed copyright infringement lawsuits against 10 companies in the past 18 months.
A ring from Verragio’s Insignia collection with princess and round brilliant-cut diamonds surrounding a setting for a princess-cut center. The three-pronged crown-like symbol under the center stone is called the Verragio Crest, a company trademark that’s currently being defended in a number of lawsuits.
New York--Verragio Ltd. has sent out 30 cease-and-desist letters and filed 10 lawsuits in an effort to crack down on companies it said are copying its diamond engagement ring designs.
The lawsuits and letters have come over the past 18 months after Verragio, tipped off in large part by other jewelry designers and retailers, became aware there was a proliferation of rings deemed as lookalikes in the market.
Filed in federal courts from New York to California, the lawsuits accuse jewelry manufacturers and one retailer of infringing on copyrighted engagement ring designs in Verragio’s six collections and, in some cases, of incorporating the trademarked Verragio Crest (as seen above) into their rings.
Among the companies being sued is Malakan Diamond Co., which is accused of copying rings from the Parisian, Insignia and Venetian collections and using the trademarked Crest in their rings.
In an email to National Jeweler on Thursday, Malakan’s attorney in the case, H. Ty Kharazi, said his client manufactured the pieces in question in the “early 1990s” and pointed specifically to the company’s Michelle collection, made in 1998.
“The design and effects not only are different from Verragio’s, they also pre-date their (copyrights),” he said.
Verragio also is suing Neenah, Wisconsin manufacturer and retailer A & E Jewelers Inc. and AE Jewelers of Appleton LLC, a former Verragio customer that also is mentioned in the Malakan lawsuit as selling allegedly infringing rings made by Malakan.
In that lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Verragio alleges that after it cut ties with the retailer because of lack of payment, A & E Jewelers sold a customer a “slavish copy” of one of its rings from the Parisian collection and then told the customer it was a Verragio ring.
The attorney for A&E Jewelers did not respond to request for comment by deadline.
Verragio also has ongoing lawsuits against D & M-SMJ Inc. d/b/a Skatell’s Manufacturing Jewelers, SK Diamonds and S. Kashi & Sons Inc. All of those cases were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Todd Wengrovsky, the attorney representing S. Kashi & Sons, declined to comment on the pending litigation, citing the “early stage” of the case. (The lawsuit against S. Kashi & Sons was filed in September.)
The attorneys representing Skatell’s Manufacturing Jewelers and SK Diamonds did not respond to an email request for comment by deadline.
A search
of federal court records by National Jeweler shows that Verragio’s lawsuits against the following companies have been settled:
--Kim International, filed April 2015 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, settled February 2016;
--Kieu Hanh Jewelry, filed April 2015 in the same court, settled March 2016;
--Jeulia, filed December 2015 in the same court, settled May 2016;
--Master Casting & Cad, filed July 2016 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, settled December 2016; and
--Artisan Jewelers Inc., filed June 2016 in the Eastern District of North Carolina, settled September 2016.
Verragio’s Los Angeles-based attorney, Howard Kroll, said to date, the company has collected more than $500,000 in damages and attorney’s fees between the settled lawsuits and the resolution of 18 of the cease-and-desist letters.
There are 12 cease-and-desist letters outstanding, along with the five lawsuits detailed above.
“They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and it’s not,” Kroll said in an interview with National Jeweler. “It’s copyright infringement.”
New York-based Verragio is headed by owner Barry Nisguretsky, better known as Barry Verragio. The company is known for making engagement rings with intricate details and a vintage look.
It started on this streak of legal filings in April 2015.
Commenting on the lawsuits in a company press release, Nisguretsky said: “Our authorized retail partners expect us to protect their investment in Verragio. By protecting our intellectual property, we are maintaining not only the integrity of the brand but also the reputation of those retailers who represent it.”
--Kim International, filed April 2015 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, settled February 2016;
--Kieu Hanh Jewelry, filed April 2015 in the same court, settled March 2016;
--Jeulia, filed December 2015 in the same court, settled May 2016;
--Master Casting & Cad, filed July 2016 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, settled December 2016; and
--Artisan Jewelers Inc., filed June 2016 in the Eastern District of North Carolina, settled September 2016.
Verragio’s Los Angeles-based attorney, Howard Kroll, said to date, the company has collected more than $500,000 in damages and attorney’s fees between the settled lawsuits and the resolution of 18 of the cease-and-desist letters.
There are 12 cease-and-desist letters outstanding, along with the five lawsuits detailed above.
“They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and it’s not,” Kroll said in an interview with National Jeweler. “It’s copyright infringement.”
New York-based Verragio is headed by owner Barry Nisguretsky, better known as Barry Verragio. The company is known for making engagement rings with intricate details and a vintage look.
It started on this streak of legal filings in April 2015.
Commenting on the lawsuits in a company press release, Nisguretsky said: “Our authorized retail partners expect us to protect their investment in Verragio. By protecting our intellectual property, we are maintaining not only the integrity of the brand but also the reputation of those retailers who represent it.”
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
FinancialsApr 17, 2024
LVMH’s Q1 Jewelry Sales Fall 5%LVMH said the company performed well despite an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.
MajorsApr 17, 2024
Stuller’s B&D Opens New HeadquartersB&D Sales and Service held a ribbon-cutting event for its new location in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
CollectionsApr 16, 2024
Akaila Reid Launches ‘Eat Cake’ CollectionIt’s ultra-feminine and filled with gold, pearls, and soft pastels.
Weekly QuizApr 11, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge with this seven-question quiz.
MajorsApr 16, 2024
Loudr Adds 2 DirectorsEmily Highet Morgan and Emily Bennett have joined the agency’s team.
MajorsApr 16, 2024
Stuller Releases First Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CatalogIts updated book for mountings is also now available.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers of America Represents Your BusinessFor over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
SourcingApr 16, 2024
Karen Rentmeesters Takes Over as Interim CEO of AWDCShe has been with the organization since 2010, most recently serving as its chief officer of PR and industry relations.
TechnologyApr 15, 2024
Judge Rules Jeweler’s Lawsuit Against PNC Bank Can Move ForwardJoyce’s Jewelry sued the bank after cybercriminals drained its accounts of nearly $1.6 million through a series of wire transfers.
IndependentsApr 15, 2024
Alfred W. DeScenza of DeScenza Diamonds Dies at 95He is remembered by loved ones for his loyalty, integrity, and kindness.
AuctionsApr 15, 2024
Madeleine K. Albright Jewelry, Pins Coming to AuctionHosted by Freeman’s | Hindman, the sale will take place May 7-8.
AuctionsApr 15, 2024
All of Sotheby’s ‘Rough Diamonds’ Sold in Less Than an HourThe auction house said all 24 timepieces offered in its underground sale of rare and avant-garde watches quickly found buyers.
Events & AwardsApr 15, 2024
10 Can’t-Miss Sessions at AGS Conclave 2024From lab-grown diamonds and AI to the inevitable Taylor Swift mention, here are some of Conclave’s most intriguing educational offerings.
Recorded WebinarsApr 12, 2024
Watch: What Jewelers Need to Know About InsuranceFrom cybersecurity liability to trade show coverage, insurance experts share tips on how to build the right policy.
CollectionsApr 12, 2024
Piece of the Week: Lionheart’s Evil Eye Gemstone CharmThe charm is a modern rendition of the evil eye amulet that has been worn for thousands of years.
Events & AwardsApr 12, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Announces 4 Scholarship WinnersAhead of its trade show next month, TJS awarded free registration and accommodations to one jewelry professional and three students.
Lab-GrownApr 11, 2024
AGTA Bans Lab-Grown Diamonds, Gemstones at GemFairMembers can still sell lab-grown stones, it said, but only natural gems are allowed on the show floor.
IndependentsApr 11, 2024
Steven Rosdal, Co-Founder of Hyde Park Jewelers, Dies at 77He is remembered for his charisma, passion, integrity, kindness, and wit.
MajorsApr 11, 2024
Macy’s Opens Books for Possible BuyoutThe retailer also appointed two new board members, avoiding a proxy fight from a potential buyer.
CollectionsApr 10, 2024
Sylvie Launches New Nature-Inspired Collection, ‘Tulira’The bridal collection consists of 35 engagement rings and seven wedding bands.
WatchesApr 10, 2024
These Are Rolex’s New Watches for 2024 The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
IndependentsApr 10, 2024
Levy's Fine Jewelry Explores Diamond History The family-owned jeweler has a new education section on its website dedicated to the history of diamond cutting.
CollectionsApr 10, 2024
With Clarity Partners With NFL on Wedding Bands The limited-edition men’s rings can be customized with one of 12 team logos.
SourcingApr 10, 2024
Compliance, Caution, and Concern: The Current Outlook of Indian Diamantaires There is a willingness to comply with new government-mandated regulations, with an insistence that they should be practical and realistic.
WatchesApr 09, 2024
Chrono24 Debuts Pre-Owned Watch Authentication ProgramThe program, now live in Europe, will roll out to the U.S. this summer.
AuctionsApr 09, 2024
Phillips to Offer 6.21-Carat Vivid Pink DiamondColored gemstones and signed jewels are the focus of its upcoming Geneva sale.
