Majors

Swarovski Sued for Copyright Infringement in US

MajorsDec 13, 2017

Swarovski Sued for Copyright Infringement in US

Galatea claims the crystal company copied its “Two in One Heart” design.

20171213_Galatea-suit.jpg
At left is Galatea’s “Two in One Heart” design; at right is a post from the Swarovski Instagram account that was included in the lawsuit and features a bangle that employs the design that allegedly infringes on Two in One Heart.

Los Angeles--A California-based jewelry company has filed a federal copyright infringement lawsuit against Swarovski North America Ltd. for allegedly ripping off one of its designs.

Galatea Jewelry Corp. was started by jewelry designer and inventor Chi Huynh, whose innovations include the Momento line of pearl jewelry embedded with near-field communication technology.

The copyright infringement lawsuit against Swarovski, filed Dec. 4 in federal court in Los Angeles, is over a design Chi created in 2009 called the “Two in One Heart.”

It is described in court documents as “a unique and original abstract jewelry design” created by Chi to “capture his vision of love as a union of two individuals, at once both separate and together.”

The design, which gives the “optical illusion of a single heart comprised of two overlapping hearts formed from the same contiguous loop of metal,” was copyrighted in the United States in early 2010.

Six years later, as part of its Valentine’s Day collection, Swarovski began advertising and selling the pendants and bangles that Galatea alleges are a copy of Two in One Heart after altering the design slightly by horizontally flipping it, covering a larger portion with crystals (not diamonds, as Galatea uses), and tapering the points and rounding the edges, the lawsuit states.

Since 2016, Swarovski has continued to manufacture, distribute, promote and sell the design nationwide in the United States through its website, brick-and-mortar stores and third-party distributors such as Macy’s and Amazon.com.

“Swarovski has repeatedly highlighted the infringing products in its marketing and sales efforts for major shopping holidays, including Mother’s Day 2016, Valentine’s Day 2017 and, most recently, Cyber Monday 2017,” the lawsuit states.

Swarovski has its North American headquarters in Cranston, Rhode Island.

The company said it does not comment on pending litigation but added: “Swarovski takes any possible allegations of potential intellectual property infringements very seriously, and we are currently investigating the claim. As a responsible corporate citizen Swarovski certainly respects others’ rights in their business. This commitment has been embedded in the way we do business since 1895.”

In addition to Swarovski North America Ltd., Galatea names Swarovski Retail Ventures Ltd., Swarovski Digital Business USA Inc. and Swarovski Crystallized LLC as defendants in the lawsuit.

Galatea is asking the court to stop Swarovski from making jewelry that it claims infringes on its Two of One Heart designs; to recall, remove and return from commercial distribution any products with this design and destroy them; and to

award it monetary damages.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Artist Reena Ahluwalia “Pristine” painting
SourcingNov 01, 2024
Reena Ahluwalia Donates Diamond Painting to Benefit CJA

The artwork, titled “Pristine,” was raffled off at the Canadian Jewellers Association’s recent summit.

Gunderson’s Jewelers in Omaha, Nebraska
IndependentsNov 01, 2024
Gunderson’s Jewelers Opens New Location in Nebraska

The new store features a custom design studio and a bridal salon.

Sydney Evan x Wicked “Spell Book” coin charm
CollectionsNov 01, 2024
Piece of the Week: Sydney Evan Gets ‘Wicked’

Designer Rosanne Karmes has created a collection to coincide with the release of the movie musical, which is expected to be a blockbuster.

Jewelers Mutual Group Cybersecurity
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for Jewelers

From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.

Charles & Colvard moissanite ring
FinancialsOct 31, 2024
Charles & Colvard Faces Possible Nasdaq Delisting

The retailer said it will file the necessary paperwork to regain compliance as soon as it is able.

Weekly QuizOct 31, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsOct 31, 2024
Peter Smith: Nervous Flyers and Emotional Selling

Whether you’re calming the jittery gentleman in seat 13B or selling a diamond ring to a hesitant customer, an empathetic approach is best.

Annie E. Doresca, Grant Mobley, Alexis Padis, Terry Chandler
Events & AwardsOct 31, 2024
WJA Will Celebrate 4 Award Winners at ‘Future of Forty’ Gala

The gala includes a red carpet, music from DJ Renata, an awards program, and “mystery boxes.”

Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYC

This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.

Instore show 2025
Events & AwardsOct 31, 2024
The Instore Show Returns To Chicago Area

The trade show, in its third year, will take place in late September at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

Constance Polamalu
Lab-GrownOct 31, 2024
Q&A: Constance Polamalu on Selling Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds

The jeweler shared her change of heart on lab-grown diamonds and why she keeps them separate from natural diamonds in her business ventures.

Gem Awards New York City
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2024
These Designers, Journalists, and Retailers Are Up for a Gem Award

The 2025 Gem Awards are scheduled to take place March 14 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

CD Peacock Love and Celebration Rings
CollectionsOct 30, 2024
CD Peacock Honors Its Hometown of Chicago in First Bridal Collection

“Love and Celebration” is the jeweler’s first in-house collection featuring engagement rings, wedding bands, and celebration rings.

Hands pushing a shopping cart
SurveysOct 30, 2024
Consumer Confidence Rebounds in October

A more positive view of the labor market contributed to the strongest monthly gain since March 2021.

Mejuri store
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2024
Mejuri to Award $50K in Scholarships to Jewelry Design Students

The funds will be distributed to schools in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

20241030_NYCJW.jpg
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2024
The Can’t-Miss Events of 2024 New York City Jewelry Week

This year’s festivities include more than 100 experiences, such as designer showcases, panel discussions, and even a treasure hunt.

Edgar Mitchell’s Rolex GMT-Master Pepsi
AuctionsOct 29, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Sells for More Than $2M

The GMT-Master “Pepsi” that belonged to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is one of two Apollo-flown Rolex watches ever sold at auction.

Pandora ambassadors Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, and Pamela Anderson
MajorsOct 29, 2024
Pandora’s Holiday Campaign, New Jewelry Celebrate Light and Love

The ads star brand ambassadors Chloe and Halle Bailey and Pamela Anderson.

Stock image of a diamond engagement ring
SourcingOct 29, 2024
De Beers’ Production Drops 25% as Demand Remains Sluggish

The company combined two sights in Q3 due to the slowdown in demand, and said it is moving up the dates for sights 9 and 10 in Q4.

Monica Rich Kosann
EditorsOct 28, 2024
Q&A: Monica Rich Kosann Looks Back on 20 Years

The jewelry designer discussed how she got into the jewelry industry, what she keeps in her favorite locket, and the future of her brand.

Jewelers for Children Rock the Costume Showdown graphic
MajorsOct 28, 2024
Jewelers for Children’s Halloween Costume Contest Rocks

Participants can buy five votes for $5 to decide which jeweler will dress up as an ‘80s rockstar for Halloween.

Katy Briscoe carved indicolite Persian cat ring
TrendsOct 28, 2024
Amanda’s Spooky Style File

These 15 pieces of jewelry hand-picked ahead of Halloween appeal to the costume- and candy-loving child in all of us.

Executives at the Bulgari Ritz Carlton ribbon cutting ceremony
MajorsOct 25, 2024
This New Bulgari Boutique Is on a Yacht

Starboard Luxury is bringing the Italian brand aboard The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s newest yacht.

Mourning Jewelry Pendant
CollectionsOct 25, 2024
Piece of the Week: A Haunting Piece of Mourning Jewelry

The pendant, circa the late 1700s, likely was commissioned to remember a loved one who died young.

Artistry 2025 Catalog
MajorsOct 25, 2024
Artistry Releases Its 2025 Catalog

It features the brand’s products in the precious color, semi-precious color, pearl, diamond, gold, and sterling silver categories.

Cartoon witch and black cat with cauldron and jewelry in bubbles
EditorsOct 24, 2024
From a Witch to Wednesday: The Best Jewelry to Wear With Your Halloween Costume

For her annual Halloween story, Associate Editor Lenore Fedow pairs fine jewelry with classic and contemporary Halloween costumes.

Jewelry from Boucheron
FinancialsOct 24, 2024
Kering’s Jewelry Brands ‘More Resilient’ Than Other Luxury Goods in Q3

Sales fell 15 percent for the luxury conglomerate in the third quarter, led by a 26 percent drop in sales for flagship brand Gucci.

JA Show entrance
Events & AwardsOct 24, 2024
JA New York Fall Show Announces Education Lineup

The education offerings include a diamond cutting demonstration, a session with JVC President Sara Yood, and a seminar on AI.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy