Rifle Paper Co. sues Walmart over copyright claim

Rifle Paper Co.’s artwork and products have become so popular, it is now accusing Walmart and other companies of ripping off one of its signature designs, according to a new federal lawsuit.

The lawsuit, filed in Orlando, says Walmart and a Canadian importer Beco Industries are intentionally selling sheets, blankets, throws, and bed pillows under the “Mainstays” brand, printed with its popular Spanish Rose Design – without permission.

Rifle was founded by Anna and Nathan Bond in 2008. It specializes in quality stationery invitations, cards, books and other gift items — all emblazoned with Anna's unique colorful artwork.

Rifle doesn’t comment on litigation, but the company’s branding director Mike Wilkie said success is breeding knockoffs.

“It’s frustrating, but it’s also somewhat flattering to know that people want to copy the work,” Wilkie said.

Randy Hargrove, spokesman for Walmart, said a full response to the allegations would be filed in court.

"We take this seriously, and we're reviewing a copy of the complaint," Hargrove said.

Beco could be reached immediately for comment on the lawsuit.

Rifle has recently occupied two warehouses in the Fern Park area to handle its growing business. It reported over $20 million in revenue in 2016.

Rifle says in the lawsuit that it has sold more than 350,000 times printed with Anna Bond’s copyrighted Spanish rose design, to major national and international retail outlets, including Barnes & Noble, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Hallmark, Anthropologie, and Birchbox.

Rifle has also licensed the design to companies like Paper Crown and Paperless Post for use on fabric, phone cases and other items.

The lawsuit shows an image of a similar design on a product imported by Beco.

“Beco simply swapped the colors of the larger rose and smaller rose and removed the detail work in the leaves and baby's breath stems,” the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit accuses Beco of helping other manufacturers use the knockoff design on all kinds of products under the “Home Logic” brand, including furniture, dishware, water bottles, shower curtains and wastebaskets.

The suit identifies some of the other manufacturers but doesn’t name them as defendants: Ever Grace Industry Limited, Huisen Furniture Co. Ltd., Idea Nuova Global Inc., Tangshan Daxin Ceramics Co., HMS Mfg. Co.

Rifle says it sent a letter to Walmart demanding that it stop selling the merchandise, but the retail giant hasn’t complied, according to the suit.

Rifle has also faced allegations in a federal lawsuit that it used images or concepts from the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. without permission. That suit was withdrawn soon after it was filed, with no mention of a settlement.

Walmart has been forced to settle trademark lawsuits in the past, including an undisclosed amount paid to settle a lawsuit by Adidas in 2008.

I'm a newspaper reporter looking for business news: pbrinkmann@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5660; Twitter is @PaulBrinkmann

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