CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Brighton Collectibles, the manufacturer known for accessorizing women from head to toe with finely crafted jewelry, handbags, small leather essentials, footwear and more -- has announced that in the last six months juries have found in favor of Brighton in three major lawsuits against companies selling knockoffs of Brighton products.

• In October 2008, a jury found that Ralphs markets had sold misappropriated copies of Brighton designs. The jury awarded Brighton damages of more than 2.5 times Ralphs' total revenues from sale of the infringing designs.

• In November 2008, another jury found that Coldwater Creek had copied Brighton as well. The verdict found that Coldwater acted willfully and with malice, fraud or oppression. Brighton recovered nearly $8 million, including all of its legal fees. The recovery was more than 3 times Coldwater Creek's total revenues from sale of the infringing designs.

• Earlier this month, in Brighton's largest victory to date, a third jury awarded $10.8 million against Marc Chantal, Inc. for trade dress infringement. That verdict included more than $3.6 million in punitive damages. The verdict is for more than 1.5 times Marc Chantal's total revenues from sale of the infringing designs.

Employing over a dozen dedicated artists, Brighton invests millions of dollars annually to create jewelry, hardware and product designs that are "modern, new and inspiring." Consumers have rewarded these efforts, increasing Brighton's sales to more than $300 million per year. Brighton products not only have inspired consumers; they have also "inspired" others to sell look-alikes that fool consumers.

Brighton believes its intellectual property is vital to its business, the businesses of Brighton's more than 5,000 retail partners, and most importantly the consuming public. Brighton believes that people are entitled to know when they buy Brighton, they are buying something genuine and special, not an imitation masquerading as an original. Brighton feels strongly that those who misappropriate its designs should be held accountable. Apparently, juries agree: In the end, misappropriating Brighton Designs does not pay, because Brighton will recover more than all revenues generated by the infringement.

Brighton's President Jerry Kohl explains, "It is unacceptable when some unscrupulous manufacturers try to confuse consumers and trade on our hard-earned brand loyalty. We want our customers to know that when they buy a Brighton product, it is something original and unique."

SOURCE Brighton Collectibles

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