CrimeMay 02, 2024
4 Indicted in Burglary Ring Targeting Indian, South Asian FamiliesThe men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
MajorsNov 13, 2017
Adwar Suing 2 Companies for Copyright Infringement
The casting company alleges that Star Gems and Mercury Ring/Interjewel USA knocked off a few of its designs.
Adwar Casting is suing Star Gems for allegedly knocking off two of its copyrighted designs, one of which is seen here at left.
Rockville Centre, N.Y.--Adwar Casting has filed two lawsuits in the state of New York against companies it alleges are knocking off its designs.
The first was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on Oct. 27 against Norcross, Georgia-based Star Gems, a wholesale manufacturer and seller of jewelry products, and its president and CEO, Anish Desai.
The lawsuit alleges that, in or around July of this year, Star Gems used two of Adwar’s copyrighted pieces of artwork without permission--one a picture of a ring and the other of a pendant--and began marketing and selling jewelry using them.
Keith Adwar, the company’s chief financial officer, said they saw posts online in which Desai was using Adwar’s image and offering to make their product without permission.
He said they talked to Desai and asked him to stop, but, as noted in the lawsuit, “despite having knowledge of its wrongful activities,” Star Gems continues to market and sell products using artwork similar or the same as Adwar’s own. 
In a statement to National Jeweler sent via email, Desai said: “When you look at the exhibits attached to the complaint, they consist of two social media posts and do not show any evidence of any infringement of manufacturing done by Star Gems. Our attorney has already send out a response to this baseless claim.”
But Adwar maintained that because the two designs are copyrighted, it is still not legal to take images of them and offer to make the designs.
“It’s important for people to learn that with the new technology we have, customers cannot just take a picture of yours and say, ‘I can make this,’” he said.
Adwar Casting filed the second lawsuit in the same court on Nov. 1 against Interjewel USA and its President Sanjay Kothari, as well as Mercury Ring and its CEO, Phyllis Bergman.
Mercury Ring is a division of Interjewel USA, which falls under India-based Interjewel. The companies sell their jewelry products through their websites, as well as through retailers.
In the lawsuit, Adwar Casting alleges that around 2016/2017, Interjewel USA and Mercury Ring took one of its designs, which is copyrighted, and started marketing and selling jewelry products using said design.
style that Adwar alleges was knocked off by Mercury Ring/Interjewel.
Keith Adwar said they approached Bergman about what they believed the company was doing, and also asked for the models and molds back of the design the companies allegedly had knocked off, offering to let it drop after that.
But, the lawsuit alleges that, “despite having knowledge of its wrongful activities,” Mercury Ring and Interjewel USA continued to market and sell products with artwork that is similar to or the same as Adwar’s artwork.
Adwar also alleges in the suit that the companies have infringed other works from the company, citing one instance in which they advised their employees via an internal document to “knock off all Adwar pieces that are ordered.”
Neither Mercury Ring nor Interjewel USA responded to requests for comment by press time.
Adwar Casting is seeking damages in both lawsuits because, it said, it has lost income and continues to do so because of these activities.
In addition to asking for a judgment permanently enjoining the previously mentioned activities, in each case it also is asking for damages paid of three times the profits made through the allegedly infringing pieces, as well as three times the amount of actual damages incurred by the infringing or the maximum amount of statutory damages that resulted, attorney and lawsuit costs, and other payment as the court deems proper.
Keith Adwar said they approached Bergman about what they believed the company was doing, and also asked for the models and molds back of the design the companies allegedly had knocked off, offering to let it drop after that.
But, the lawsuit alleges that, “despite having knowledge of its wrongful activities,” Mercury Ring and Interjewel USA continued to market and sell products with artwork that is similar to or the same as Adwar’s artwork.
Adwar also alleges in the suit that the companies have infringed other works from the company, citing one instance in which they advised their employees via an internal document to “knock off all Adwar pieces that are ordered.”
Neither Mercury Ring nor Interjewel USA responded to requests for comment by press time.
Adwar Casting is seeking damages in both lawsuits because, it said, it has lost income and continues to do so because of these activities.
In addition to asking for a judgment permanently enjoining the previously mentioned activities, in each case it also is asking for damages paid of three times the profits made through the allegedly infringing pieces, as well as three times the amount of actual damages incurred by the infringing or the maximum amount of statutory damages that resulted, attorney and lawsuit costs, and other payment as the court deems proper.
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsMay 02, 2024
Foundrae Launches ‘Horizon’ Collection“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
FinancialsMay 02, 2024
Pandora Raises Guidance After Strong Q1The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
Brought to you by
Rio’s Reimagined Podcast: For the Love of JewelersMeet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
IndependentsMay 02, 2024
Oklahoma Jeweler Glenn Lewis Dies at 68The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
Weekly QuizMay 02, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
AuctionsMay 02, 2024
Vintage Baume & Mercier With Ties to Elvis Sells for $7K Elvis Presley gifted this circa 1967 gold and diamond watch to Dodie Marshall, his co-star in “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
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.
SurveysMay 01, 2024
Consumer Confidence Falls in AprilConcerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
TrendsMay 01, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: All Eyes on EmeraldsMay’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
SourcingMay 01, 2024
Opsydia Names New Sales and Marketing Director Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
CrimeMay 01, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
CollectionsApr 30, 2024
12 Otherworldly Pieces From Tiffany & Co.’s 2024 Blue BookThe “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2024
Canadian Jewellers Association Brings Back the Summit It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Recorded WebinarsApr 29, 2024
Watch: Diamond Identification and Evaluation - How to Protect your BusinessSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingApr 29, 2024
De Beers to Move Auction HQ from Singapore to BotswanaSales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
CollectionsApr 29, 2024
Simone I. Smith Mixes Denim and Diamonds in New Collection“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
IndependentsApr 29, 2024
Venus Jewelers Relocating After 45 YearsThe retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
SurveysApr 29, 2024
Mother’s Day Jewelry Spending to Reach $7B, Says NRFGifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
CollectionsApr 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jacquie Aiche’s Starry Galaxy NecklaceThe necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
Events & AwardsApr 26, 2024
AGS Conclave and GIA Symposium Are ConvergingThe two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
SourcingApr 26, 2024
Anglo American Reportedly Shopping De Beers as BHP Eyes Anglo Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Events & AwardsApr 25, 2024
Alexis Padis Takes Over as AGS Board President Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
EditorsApr 25, 2024
5 Tips for Creating Fans from the Top (Savannah) Banana Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
WatchesApr 25, 2024
Audemars Piguet and John Mayer Partner on Limited Edition WatchThe Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
SourcingApr 25, 2024
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2024The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
MajorsApr 25, 2024
Detroit Lions’ QB Jared Goff Keeps Going to JaredThe three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
