MajorsMar 24, 2021
The Tiffany v. Costco Battle Wages On MajorsJul 21, 2021
Tiffany, Costco Settle Long-Standing Lawsuit
The contentious battle over the term “Tiffany Setting” has come to a close via a settlement.
Tiffany & Co. reached a settlement agreement with Costco following a years-long trademark infringement lawsuit. (Image courtesy of Tiffany & Co.)
New York—The contentious, 8-year-long legal battle between Tiffany & Co. and Costco Wholesale Corp. has come to an anticlimactic end.
The companies have reached a settlement, the terms of which have not been disclosed, and the case has been dismissed with prejudice, meaning Tiffany cannot sue Costco again on the same grounds.
In a statement to National Jeweler, a lawyer representing Costco said the parties have “amicably resolved their dispute.”
Tiffany declined to comment.
The saga began Valentine’s Day of 2013 when Tiffany took Costco to court, suing the big-box retailer in New York federal court for trademark infringement, counterfeiting and unfair business practices for selling “Tiffany” rings that were not made by Tiffany.
An estimated 3,349 customers bought “Tiffany” rings at Costco during the period covered by the lawsuit, according to court documents.
Related stories will be right here …
The companies have reached a settlement, the terms of which have not been disclosed, and the case has been dismissed with prejudice, meaning Tiffany cannot sue Costco again on the same grounds.
In a statement to National Jeweler, a lawyer representing Costco said the parties have “amicably resolved their dispute.”
Tiffany declined to comment.
The saga began Valentine’s Day of 2013 when Tiffany took Costco to court, suing the big-box retailer in New York federal court for trademark infringement, counterfeiting and unfair business practices for selling “Tiffany” rings that were not made by Tiffany.
An estimated 3,349 customers bought “Tiffany” rings at Costco during the period covered by the lawsuit, according to court documents.
In a countersuit, Costco said the term “Tiffany” setting had become genericized and could be used by any company to mean a ring with multiple, slender prongs holding a single stone.
In 2015, a federal judge ruled in Tiffany’s favor and granted the jeweler’s motion for summary judgment (a judgment entered by the court without a full trial) in the case.
A jury ordered Costco to pay Tiffany $5.5 million for unlawful profits, including $3.7 million in direct profits and $1.8 million in additional benefits from the ring sales, and $8.25 million in punitive damages.
The judge trebled the $3.7 million to $11 million, for grand total of $21 million Costco was to pay Tiffany.
In August 2020, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the summary judgment on appeal from Costco.
A unanimous ruling found that if a jury had heard the case, jurors likely wouldn’t be confused by Costco’s use of the word “Tiffany” or believe the rings were made or endorsed by Tiffany & Co.
The appeals court sent the case back down to the district court to hash out the issues of punitive damages and a jury.
The case dragged on, with Costco filing a motion to prevent a jury trial and stop Tiffany from seeking punitive damages, which Tiffany disputed based on prior court rulings.
An in-person trial was possible for July, but a settlement remained on the table, as per court documents. The companies had discussed one prior to going to trial in 2016.
Tiffany v. Costco was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
More on Majors
The Latest
TrendsJul 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Double Loop’ EarringsCommemorate “brat summer” with these green hoops.
EditorsJul 26, 2024
Out & About: A Dispatch from the Nation’s Smallest StateEditor-in-Chief Michelle Graff returns from Rhode Island with thoughts about in-store shopping and a trends report.
Supplier BulletinJul 25, 2024
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionSponsored by Gemological Institute of America
Brought to you by
The End of an Era? Lab-Grown Diamonds' Journey Towards Price StabilityAs the demand for lab-grown diamond jewelry may still be increasing, the most notable change we are likely to see is price stabilization.
TechnologyJul 25, 2024
Amazon, BBB Sue Website Allegedly Peddling Fake Reviews They claim ReviewServiceUSA.com was selling both positive and negative reviews of products and businesses.
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 25, 2024
De Beers’ H1 Revenue Falls 21% in ‘Weak’ MarketLab-grown diamond sales in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in China are impacting natural diamond demand.
IndependentsJul 25, 2024
Store Designer Ruth Mellergaard DiesA longtime member of IJO, she’s remembered for her passion for design, learning, and environmentalism.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionGIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
FinancialsJul 25, 2024
Boucheron, Pomellato Post Double-Digit Growth in Q2 The gains come amid a tough time for parent company Kering, which saw sales slide 11 percent in the first half of the year.
FinancialsJul 24, 2024
LVMH’s First-Half Jewelry, Watch Sales Dip 5%Tiffany & Co. is focusing on its “iconic” collections while the company has made changes at the top at TAG Heuer and Hublot.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
See Chaumet’s Paris Olympic Medals Inspired by its High JewelryThe Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Jewelers Mutual Acquires Pawnbroker Insurance ProviderUnion Life & Casualty will join JM Insurance Agency Partners, expanding the provider’s pawnbroker coverage.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Ben Bridge Announces 2024 Lonia Tate Scholarship WinnerLos Angeles-based Bradlei Smith was selected for this year’s award.
ColumnistsJul 23, 2024
Peter Smith: The Case for Optimism in Sales In his latest column, Smith shares multiple reasons why people who look at the glass as being hall full often make better salespeople.
SourcingJul 23, 2024
De Beers’ Production Drops 15% in Q2The company also reported the $150 million sale of an iron ore royalty right, part of its ongoing effort to divest “non-core” assets.
IndependentsJul 23, 2024
Long’s Jewelers Is Giving Away a Luxury Cape Cod VacationThe giveaway is part of the New England jeweler’s summer bridal event.
CollectionsJul 23, 2024
Guzema Debuts ‘Flower Power’ CampaignThe ad features three celebrity florists creating floral sculptures while wearing jewelry by Guzema.
Policies & IssuesJul 23, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces Its 2024 Entrepreneurship Grant WinnersThe grant provided a total of $100,000 to support 13 entrepreneurs from diamond communities in Africa and India.
CrimeJul 22, 2024
Florida Jeweler Shot, Killed Following Argument With CustomerGhazi Michel Osta, or “Gus,” was killed Friday by an 83-year-old man said to be a frequent customer at his store, Volusia Gold & Diamond.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2024
JVC’s Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez Joins RJCThe organization also announced Effie Marinos as its new specialist advisor for technical standards, as well as four other appointments.
SourcingJul 22, 2024
AWDC Names Karen Rentmeesters as CEORentmeesters has served as interim CEO since April following former CEO Ari Epstein’s resignation.
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
Longtime D.C. Jeweler Brian Mann Dies at 70Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
The 1916 Company Opens New Tudor BoutiqueThe 500-square-foot boutique is located in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
CollectionsJul 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Messika’s ‘So Move Max’ NecklaceDance all night long with the “So Move Max” set’s necklace.
WatchesJul 18, 2024
TAG Heuer, Hublot Will Have New CEOs Luxury giant LVMH is reshuffling the leadership in its watches division.
MajorsJul 18, 2024
New Etsy Campaign Prioritizes Creators Amid BacklashSellers and shoppers have spoken out against a rise in mass-produced merchandise on the platform meant to highlight handmade goods.
MajorsJul 18, 2024
Swarovski Names Ariana Grande as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe celebrity will star in Swarovski’s holiday campaign.
