Parker House furniture sues Costco and Kuka for false advertising
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Parker House, an importer of furniture and case goods, is suing Costco and Chinese furniture maker Kuka Furniture. Parker House filed a complaint last week after it said Costco included a Kuka sofa named "Parker" in its catalog.
 
In the lawsuit, Parker House says Costco and Kuka clearly intended to benefit from the Parker House brand and reputation. The lawsuit says the advertisement appeared in Costco's Connection magazine and was sent out to more than 12 million recipients around the country.
 
Parker House is seeking damages and relief for federal trademark infringement, unfair competition and trademark dilution; unfair competition; false and misleading advertising under state law; and unfairly benefiting under common law. The lawsuit demands attorney fees, profits, treble damages, exemplary and punitive damages, and statutory damages.
 
“The integrity and brand equity of the Parker House and Parker Living brand names has been maligned, diluted and irreparably damaged by the blatant name infringement perpetrated by Costco and Kuka Furniture,” said Chris Lupo, president of Parker House in a release. “Their intentional sales and marketing of a product comparable to ours — and bearing our name — is unconscionable and illegal. We are pursuing legal action in order to hold these organizations accountable for these actions.”
 
The Parker sofa was taken off Costco's website.
 
Opening in 1946, Parker House is family-owned third generation furniture maker. Kuka is a leading Chinese furniture maker.

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Robert Dalheim

Robert Dalheim is an editor at the Woodworking Network. Along with publishing online news articles, he writes feature stories for the FDMC print publication. He can be reached at [email protected].