Knoll, Inc. (NYSE: KNL) and Alphaville Design, Inc. announced today that they have settled their dispute relating to Knoll’s registered “BARCELONA®” trademark (U.S. Trademark Registration No. 772,313), and its trademarks relating to the Barcelona Chair (U.S. Trademark Registration No. 2,893,025), Barcelona Stool (United Kingdom Trademark No. 2,894,977), Barcelona Couch (U.S. Trademark No. 2,894,980), Barcelona Table (U.S. Trademark No. 2,894,979), and Flat Brno Chair (Germany Trademark No. 2,894,978). Knoll had alleged that certain products sold by Alphaville Design infringed the Knoll trademarks, while Alphaville Design claimed that the trademarks were invalid. To resolve the dispute, Alphaville Design, Inc. and its owners, David and Peggy Lee, acknowledged the validity of, and Knoll’s rights to, the above-referenced trademarks, and in return Knoll granted them the right to sell similar products for a limited period of time. In connection with the settlement, the parties have agreed to dismiss the lawsuit currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

About Knoll

Since 1938, Knoll has been recognized internationally for creating workplace and residential furnishings that inspire, evolve and endure. Today, our commitment to modern design, our understanding of the workplace and our dedication to sustainable design has yielded a unique portfolio of products that respond and adapt to changing needs. In June 2009 the Generation by Knoll work chair won a Gold award in the Best of NeoCon® competition of contract furnishing products. Knoll is aligned with the U.S. Green Building Council and the Canadian Green Building Council and can help companies achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) workplace certification. Knoll is the contract furniture industry’s first member of the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX®) and is the founding sponsor of the World Monuments Fund Modernism at Risk program.

Contact:

David E. Bright
Knoll, Inc.
212 343-4135
dbright@knoll.com

Source: Knoll News