Los Angeles, CA – Copyright attorneys for Arter Neon & LED Sign, Inc. filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in the Central District Of California (Los Angeles Division) to prevent sales of infringing products imported from China. Arter is a designer, manufacturer and importer of neon and LED signs and artwork, whose products are displayed on its website. Certain of its works have been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office, including its “Scissors” LED design, and others are pending.
In 2007, Arter entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with Defendant Touch of Asia, whereby Defendant was permitted to distribute certain of Arter’s copyrighted designs and was to forward all orders for products to Arter. Further, Defendant allegedly expressly agreed not to manufacture products containing the copyrighted designs itself or to obtain them from other sources. In June of 2008, when Arter’s representatives were delivering products to Defendant’s location, they allegedly noticed products on display that were not manufactured by Arter, but infringed on the copyrights. Defendant allegedly stated that it had the products manufactured in China because it was less expensive than buying them from Plaintiff. Arter terminated the licensing agreement immediately and asked Defendant to cease selling the allegedly infringing product. When Defendant refused, this lawsuit followed. Plaintiff requests either actual or statutory damages under 17 U.S.C. § 504, in addition to their costs of the lawsuit and reasonable attorneys’ fees pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 505. The case is titled: Arter Neon & LED Sign, Inc. v. Touch of Asia Spa Equipment, Inc., CV08-05446 DSF (Central District of California 2008).
