Pride files lawsuit against Woodard, Carl's Patio, Carl's Patio West and Woodard VP Scott Coogan

Claims involve patent infringement and trade secrets

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 5/14/2012 8:19:00 AM

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Pride Family Brands, designer and manufacturer of casual furniture, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Woodard Furniture, Carl's Patio, Inc., Carl's Patio West, Inc. and Scott Coogan, vice president - design, Woodard Furniture.
Filed in in Miami Federal District Court, Miami, Fla., the lawsuit claims patent infringement and violation of trade dress as well as disclosure of trade secrets.
"We filed this case for a very simple reason. Pride Family Brands' property is being knowingly and unfairly exploited," said Steve Lowsky, president of Pride Family Brands. "Pride is one of the casual furniture industry's leaders in driving and managing innovation and we place a high priority on protecting this innovation."
Pride Family Brands takes its patent rights for all of their uniquely designed patio furniture seriously and will not tolerate the unauthorized copying of designs. "Our designs are one of our core assets and each represents a tremendous investment of time and money," Lowsky said. "By the filing of this lawsuit today, we want to signal that we will do whatever the law allows to protect our patents, designs and the customer goodwill we have built and continue to enjoy today."
Pride Family Brands, a 35-year-old manufacturing company headquartered in Hollywood, FL., currently holds more than 50 design patents on outdoor furniture and furniture accessories.
For more information about Pride Family Brands, visit www.pridefamilybrands.com or contact 954-735-9800.