MONTREAL, April 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Trudeau Corporation wishes to announce that the Federal Court of Canada has ruled in favor of Trudeau by rejecting the claim of industrial design infringement made by Bodum USA and PI Design, a case filed in February of 2007. The Court also invalidated both of Bodum's industrial design registrations Nos. 107,736 and 114,070 covering the configuration of double-walled glasses and found that Trudeau branded products were dissimilar and did not infringe Bodum's industrial designs. The Court awarded Trudeau costs in the action. Bodum had also brought a claim for passing off, which it abandoned during the trial. While Bodum and PI Design had filed a Notice of Appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal, they abandoned their case on March 22, 2013. Ruling by Mr. Justice Boivin of the Federal Court can be found at: http://decisions.fct-cf.gc.ca/en/2012/2012fc1128/2012fc1128.html.
"It is an important victory for our company," said Charles Harari, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Trudeau. "We were always convinced that our products were different and did not infringe on any existing industrial design and that Bodum's asserted industrial designs were not sufficiently original to warrant industrial design protection. We will not hesitate to defend ourselves against claims that we consider are unmerited nor pursue companies that infringe upon our intellectual property. Trudeau invests substantial funds and energy in the development of new products, values its intellectual property and respects all valid existing intellectual property rights."
ABOUT TRUDEAU
Trudeau, established in 1889, is a designer, manufacturer and distributes its quality kitchenware and tabletop products worldwide, sold under its well-known Trudeau brand. The Trudeau Corporation headquarters are based in Montreal, Canada, as well as US offices and distribution center in Woodridge, IL. Product development is done both in Chicago and Montreal. Trudeau also has operations in China with offices and a distribution center as well as sales offices in the UK, Spain and Holland. Trudeau products are currently being exported to over 70 countries. Website: http://www.trudeaucorp.com/
