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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Samoan company sues Pier 1 Imports over lighting patent

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TYLER, Texas (Legal Newsline) - A Samoan company is suing home furnishings and decor retailer Pier 1 Imports for allegedly infringing its patent for decorative lights.




Real Bonus Ltd., located in Apia Samoa, filed its lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Wednesday.




 




According to its five-page complaint, the company has decorative lights manufactured on its behalf, including products covered by the asserted patent -- U.S. Patent No. 7,926,978 -- and sells them in the United States and throughout the world.




In the U.S., Starlight Creations Inc. is Real Bonus’ exclusive importer and distributor of its decorative lights.




 




Real Bonus argues that the Fort Worth, Texas-based Pier 1 has been selling its “glimmer lights” illegally for months.




 




“In a letter dated July 24, 2014, Plaintiff, through counsel, notified Defendant that products that it was selling and offering for sale under the ‘Glimmer Lights’ brand infringed the ‘978 Patent and demanded that Pier 1 Imports cease and desist from further import, sales and manufacture,” the company’s attorneys wrote in the complaint.




 




Real Bonus contends it was issued the patent for “Light Set With Surface-Mounted Light-Emitting Components,” listing Kenneth Tsai as the inventor, by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in April 2011.




 




The company is seeking a jury trial, damages, attorneys’ fees and costs.




 




Tyler, Texas, law firm Ramey & Flock PC are representing Real Bonus.




 




From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at patents@legalnewsline.com.


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