Recently, Keith, Gerber Law PLLC, Law Offices of Gary F. Wang, and other overseas rights-protection law firms have continued filing batches of copyright infringement lawsuits in U.S. federal courts, focusing on unauthorized use of original artworks such as holiday illustrations, pastoral landscapes, cross-stitch patterns, and game-style party decorations, and suing cross-border sellers across multiple platforms.

01

American Country Landscape Artwork Copyright

Recently, THE ART GALLERY OF BILLY JACOBS, Ltd, the rights holder for works by the late American country artist Billy Jacobs, retained Keith to file a copyright infringement lawsuit, Case No. 26-cv-12368, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Eastern Division). Based on four country-themed copyrighted works, it targets cross-border sellers’ unauthorized commercial use of his paintings.

Billy Jacobs is a well-known American country landscape painter specializing in acrylic and watercolor. THE ART GALLERY OF BILLY JACOBS, Ltd is the exclusive copyright holder and operator of his works. His style features nostalgic American country illustrations depicting barns, covered bridges, churches, farmhouses, cotton fields, moonlight, autumn scenes and other rural scenes, with warm, rich colors and simple compositions full of American pastoral nostalgia. His paintings are widely licensed for use in decorative prints, pillows, tableware and other home categories, and are highly recognizable.

Reminder: Sellers of home wall art, decorative prints, textile pillows and craft gifts should immediately check listing images, product prints and decorative materials across their stores and remove infringing images.

02

Dyson Design Patent

On October 14, Dyson Technology Limited of the UK retained GBC to file a patent infringement lawsuit, Case No. 26-cv-12608, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, against cross-border e-commerce sellers selling counterfeit products through platforms such as Amazon to consumers outside China. The involved U.S. design patent number is USD710299.

Dyson Technology Limited is a globally renowned technology company founded by inventor James Dyson. The company designs, manufactures and sells corded and cordless vacuum cleaners and accessories, including battery packs for products, among many other products, which are sold in more than 65 countries worldwide.

The involved patent is a U.S. design patent for a “Battery Pack.” The core patent number is USD710299S, and the patent title is “BATTERY PACK.” Filed on August 16, 2013 and granted on August 5, 2014, it protects the ornamental design of the battery pack.

This is a high-risk design patent for vacuum cleaner accessories and replacement batteries. Reminder: sellers of vacuum cleaner battery packs, replacement batteries, power accessories and cross-border accessories should focus on checking battery pack designs. Do not sell products identical or substantially similar to the patented design, and do not list products after partial imitation or minor appearance adjustments.

03

Santa Claus Illustration Copyright

Recently, professional artist Chris Consani retained Keith to file a copyright infringement lawsuit, Case No. 26-cv-12331, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, targeting sellers on Amazon, Walmart and other platforms that sell “Santa Shoosh” derivative products without authorization. Copyright registration number VA 2-455-159.

Image source: Wayfair

Chris Consani is a senior illustrator and graphic designer with a bachelor’s degree in illustration, specializing in pop art. He has served McDonald’s, Disney Video, Miller Brewing and other well-known companies, and participated in art and character creation for animated films such as The Ant Bully, Boundin’, and Alvin and the Chipmunks. His works include album covers, movie posters and concept art.

The involved work “Santa Shoosh” is a realistic Santa Claus portrait illustration with a close-up composition; the main subject is Santa Claus. The title “Shoosh” comes from the playful expression “Shh (quiet),” and it is a high-risk Christmas IP image during peak season.

Reminder: Sellers of Christmas decorative paintings, holiday pillows, Christmas stickers and printed gifts should focus on checking Santa Claus illustration materials. Do not directly use, partially crop, or slightly adjust colors and then list them for sale.

04

Roblox-Style Party Decoration Copyright

Recently, KAUAT SUN LLC, a California company, retained Law Offices of Gary F. Wang to file a copyright infringement lawsuit, Case No. 26-cv-11695, filed in California court, asserting infringement of five Roblox-style party decoration copyrights. It focuses on Amazon sellers of honeycomb paper party decorations. This firm is aggressive in copyright enforcement, and defendants are highly likely to face TRO temporary restraining orders, account freezes and high damages.

KAUAT SUN LLC is registered in Saratoga, California, specializing in consumer product design, mainly Amazon party-themed honeycomb paper decorations and tabletop decorations. The five involved works are all Roblox-style 3D block-headed cartoon character illustrations with bright colors, integrating party, adventure, music, water park, virtual game and other scenes.

Reminder: Amazon party supplies sellers should immediately check their stores for Roblox-style and game-themed party decoration products, avoid similar block cartoon character illustration materials, do not take chances with borderline designs, and prevent TRO freeze risks.

(Source: Cifnews Editorial Department)

SellerHome Review

Peak-season bestsellers frequently become targets of rights enforcement, and risks of bulk copyright and design patent litigation are rising sharply. Sellers are advised to immediately check active listings for Christmas illustrations, party decorations and Dyson accessory products, remove high-risk SKUs and retain supply chain authorization records.

Source: Cifnews
Original link: https://www.cifnews.com/article/189491