TOCCOA, GA- A  jury found furniture sellers Art & Frame Direct Inc. and World of Deco, Inc. imported and distributed unauthorized copies of several of casegoods manufacturer Habersham's bed, bookcase, table and other original furniture designs.

Following a federal trial in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, a jury awarded Habersham Plantation Corp. $1,376,000 damages in its copyright infringement lawsuit the two companies and related entities.

In court documents obtains by WoodworkingNetwork, defendants listed included: Art & Frame Direct, Inc., a Florida corporation; World of Decor, Inc., a California corporation; The Liquidation Station Inc.; Global Importing, Inc.; World of Decor Blue Heron, LLC; Closing Forever, LLC;  Decorator’s Reserve, Inc.; Art & Frame Direct/Timeless Industries Georgia, Inc.; and World of Decor, Inc., a Florida corporation

"The jury's award of substantial damages in this case should put the copiers on notice," said Matt Eddy, president of Habersham.

Toccoa, GA-based Habersham Plantation Corp. manufactures hand-painted reproductions and original, copyrighted furniture designs, including one-of-a-kind-look carved furniture designs , including trumeaus, armoires, chests and dressers, cupboards, media centers, occasional dining and work tables, chairs, desks and beds. Recently the 40-year-old firm expanded into kitchen and bath cabinetry and custom options.

"We are obviously thrilled with the jury's and Court's message--that the copying of original American furniture designs by others will not be tolerated," said Eddy. 

Habersham says it has amicably resolved other infringement cases, and has registered its copyrighted ornamental furniture designs and trademarks for protection. It has forced removal of unauthorized copies of its products, and infringers of its trademarks from the listings of the online auction website eBay and other private websites.

"From our efforts in enforcing Habersham's copyrights and trademarks over the years, we have learned that many of those high-priced, so-called Habersham products are actually inexpensive, poorly made copies," said Eddy. In 2009, Habersham settled with J&G Styles, Inc. and Halo Styles, LLC over copyright infringement in a similar case filed in U.S. District Court for Northern Illinois.