Homebase in copying case double
The retailer has withdrawn two products after complaints they were copies of existing designs.
Astro Lighting complained that the chain was selling a light fitting which appeared to be remarkably similar to its Amalfi light fitting. Homebase has agreed not to infringe further, pay a 5% royalty on sales made and pay Astro Lighting its legal costs.
'The intellectual property we create underpins our entire business and we will protect the Astro brand proactively we have a reputation for innovative designs, high quality manufacture and reliable performance, we intend to keep it that way,' says John Fearon, Astro md.
Wacky Practicals discovered its patented jar opener was being sold at Homebase under the Ultimate Products brand. After complaining Ultimate Products settled quickly and gave an undertaking to refrain from selling the jar opener and pay £2,500 in costs.
Both Astro and Wacky are members of anti-copying organisation ACID.
'It is good that Homebase and Ultimate Products settled quickly and I shall be writing to them both to invite them to be signatories to the voluntary ACID Code of Conduct for Retailers, which is accompanied by guidelines for buyers to help them avoid inadvertently infringing designs in the future,' says Dids Macdonald, ACID ceo.