Design Dispute: The BABA Chair’s Battle for Copyright Protection
Copyright cases involving furniture uncover the delicate balance between artistic innovation and the protection of design rights. The recent case (RG n° 23/09494) we will discuss today involves a chair designed by Emmanuelle Simon, known as the “BABA” chair.
Facts leading to the dispute
In this dispute presented before the legal tribunal of Lille, the creator of the chair and the company commercializing the design argued that the BABA chair was original and protected under French copyright law. The claimants alleged that the defendant, a company known as Royal Donuts France, used chairs in their stores that infringed on this design, as these chairs shared many similar features.
Is the BABA chair protected by copyright?
The court had to determine whether the BABA chair was indeed original, and then, if the chairs used by the defendant constituted copyright infringement. The claimants described each original aspect of the design: “A rounded seat, covered with a light-coloured boiled-look fabric, giving the whole a quilted effect; A backrest made up of a hollowed-out circle also presenting a quilted effect through the use of the same light-coloured boiled-look fabric; A perfectly homogeneous belt, uprights, and base, made of brushed solid oak in a light colour and featuring rounded contours; Legs slightly flared towards the ground. After consideration of this information, the court found that the BABA chair was original, reflecting the personal imprint of the artist, and thus eligible for copyright protection.
Is the BABA chair infringed?
It was determined that the chairs used by the defendant were a partial reproduction of the BABA chair, constituting infringement. The disputed chairs give an overall impression of great similarity, particularly due to “the combination of a rounded seat, a backrest made up of a hollowed-out circle, as well as the rounded structure of the belt, uprights, and legs; The contrast between materials, notably the use of wood for the chair’s structure (legs, uprights, and banding) and a quilted fabric for the seat and backrest; The use of light colours”.
What are the consequences of the court findings?
As a result, the court awarded the claimants 50,000 euros for material damages and 5,000 euros for moral damages. The court also ordered the defendant to cease using the infringing chairs and to remove related publications from their social media and websites, under penalty of fines for non-compliance. However, the court did not order the destruction of the infringing chairs due to the lack of specific location information. Additionally, the defendant was ordered to pay legal costs and an additional 5,000 euros for procedural expenses.
What does this decision teach us?
This case serves as yet another reminder that retailers should be cautious when selecting and using designs for their stores. Ensuring that furniture and other design elements are not infringing on existing copyrights is crucial to avoid legal disputes. This rings particularly true at a time when companies usually heavily rely on social media and the internet to advertise their products. While these tools are evidently useful for businesses, they can also expose and exacerbate infringement issues. An online presence can be easily scrutinized for potential IP violations, and infringing designs can quickly gain visibility.
For these reasons, it’s always best to seek legal advice to mitigate all risks. Our intellectual property experts and advisors are here to keep you informed and guide you away from any legal troubles. For support, contact us at contact@alatis.eu.
Sources :
- 13 septembre 2024, Tribunal judiciaire de Lille, RG n°23/09494
