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Intellectual Property
Patent Law
Copyright Infringement

Stefano Grando, Grando Inc. v. D&W Jewelry Inc., R&M Jewelry LLC, QVC Network Inc.

Published: Dec. 2, 2003 | Result Date: Aug. 1, 2003 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: CV001071JVW Verdict –  $350,000

Judge

John F. Walter

Court

USDC Central


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Gregory K. Hafif
(Law Office of Herbert Hafif PC)

Robert S. Ackley


Defendant

William E. Ireland
(Haight Brown & Bonesteel)

Morton G. Rosen


Experts

Plaintiff

Cosmo A. Altobelli
(technical)

Wayne H. Lancaster
(technical)

Defendant

Lex Webb
(technical)

Scott Mowery
(technical)

Robert Grosz
(technical)

Facts

Stefano Grando and his jewelry company, Grando Inc., claimed that they held design patents and copyrights on four separate jewelry rope chains, including a square link jewelry rope chain. They sued D&W Jewelry, R&M Jewelry and West Chester, Penn. based QVC Network Inc., for patent and copyright infringement alleging that D&W and R&M sold a copy of their "Bellatrix" model rope chain on the network from 1999 through 2002.

Settlement Discussions

Plaintiffs settled with QVC for $250,000 three weeks before trial. Demand: $450,000 (per plaintiff's counsel); $900,000 and the rights to all four chains, including the ones on which the defendant had been granted summary judgment (per defense counsel). Offer: $125,000 (per plaintiff's counsel): $175,000 with an indication of more (per defense counsel).

Damages

The plaintiffs claimed damages for the patent infringement of their product.

Injuries

The plaintiffs claimed damages for the patent infringement of their product.

Result

$350,000

Other Information

The plaintiffs settled with QVC Network Inc., the retailer of the chain for $250,000 before trial. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff against the manufacturer and resellers D&W Jewelry Inc. and R&M Jewelry LLC for $350,000.


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