Headlines

Two Jewelers to Battle in Court Over Instagram Posts

Published

8 years ago

June 27, 2016

INSTORE Staff

Pre-emptive lawsuit asks judge to declare there was no copyright infringement.

After displaying pictures of rings on its Instagram account, Artisan Jewelers in Cary, N.C. has filed a pre-emptive lawsuit against New York-based Verragio asking a judge to declare that no copyrights were violated, Triangle Business Journal reports. Verragio, the article says, sent a cease-and-desist letter to Artisan claiming that the rings were similar to their own copyrighted designs. Though Artisan removed the pictures and never sold the rings, it says that “the mere showing of the rings did not infringe on Verragio’s copyrights” and filed the pre-emptive suit to protect itself.

Speaking with TBJ, Raleigh-based copyright attorney Sarah Nagae says the intent of the posts makes a difference in the case: “[Artisan] published under their business account. The only reason you’d think a business would publish something on Instagram under the account would be because they’re selling it. … If they just posted these pictures but weren’t actually selling them, then that’s a different issue.”

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”