Quality Gold Sued for Patent Misuse and Misrepresentation

Santa Cruz, CA (PRWEB) July 08, 2011

An action of false patent marking has been filed against Quality Gold, based in Fairfield, Ohio. The claim, filed by King & Kelleher, LLP attorneys representing Trent West, an inventor and owner of eight patents covering tungsten carbide jewelry finger rings and their manufacture, states Quality Gold has allegedly deceived the public by falsely advertising that a patent "was granted" when there is no valid patent covering the items as represented by Quality Gold.

"In reading the catalogs of Quality Gold, a retailer or consumer would be led to believe Quality Gold has been issued a patent, when in truth Quality Gold does not have an issued patent," states Edward King, the attorney representing Trent West. "By selectively using the words "was granted" in an openly advertised and distributed catalog is a blatant misrepresentation that not only misleads the retailer but also deceives the consumer."

The United States District Court, Northern District of California will review the claim (court case 3.11-cv-02531-JSW) for false patent marking arising under United States Code - 35 U.S.C. 292, which was originally enacted to protect patentees. It is considered false marking to mark as patented an unpatented article if done with the intent to deceive the public and, as such, is a fineable offense.

In this claim Trent West represents himself, the United States, the legal licensees of his tungsten carbide patents and the public in this case. West has, and will continue to, actively pursue infringers of patent numbers: 6,062,045, 6,553,667, 6,990,736, 6,928,734, 6,993,842, 7,032,314, 7,076,972, and 7,761,996.

Litigation continues against others infringing on his patents. He has also reached a number of settlements with both manufacturers and retailers of tungsten carbide rings.

Representing nearly 20% of the men?s wedding band market, tungsten carbide has become one of the most popular contemporary metals used in wedding bands. As the hardest metal used in the manufacture of rings, and second hardest material behind a diamond on the Mohs Scale of mineral hardness, tungsten carbide is also the most scratch-resistant metal on the jewelry ring market.

There are four legally authorized sellers of tungsten carbide rings protected by West?s eight patents relating to the concept and manufacture of tungsten carbide rings in the United States. They are Frederick Goldman, Inc, Benchmark, Jewelry Innovations and Fable.

For additional information on the eight tungsten carbide patents owned by Trent West, contact Edward King at 1-415-781-2888.

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With Gold Prices Creeping Up, Couples Encouraged to Get Creative When Choosing Wedding Bands

(PRWEB) September 08, 2011

With the recent rise in the price of gold, and an economy that has seen brighter days, couples planning to wed may be wondering how they are going to afford their wedding bands. Added to the cost of the wedding ceremony, reception, and travel, there may be little left over. But according to Apples of Gold, the L.A. based online jeweler, this needn?t be cause for concern.

The Apples of Gold commitment to ethical pricing and consistent margins means their prices will always be competitive?but competitive doesn?t mean affordable for all. In addition to their more traditional gold wedding bands, Apples of Gold is featuring a variety of styles and choices for couples who are looking to find their perfect wedding bands, but who can?t cope with the rising price of gold.

Rather than despair over the rising prices of wedding jewelry, Apples of Gold encourages couples to think creatively about their wedding jewelry so that they can find the pieces that are not only stunning and meaningful, but also affordable. Brides and grooms shouldn?t feel guilty about setting budget for wedding jewelry. The amount of money a couple spends on a wedding ring is no measure of their love. The wedding ring is an investment, but it is an investment in a piece of jewelry?not an investment in the marriage or commitment itself.

While at the moment gold is demonstrating its enduring value and allure, it is also at its priciest. If a couple favors gold, a band that contains a higher percentage of an alloy is a money-saving option. 10k and 14k gold still offer a lot of luster, but with a more reasonable price tag than 18k or 24k. Another option is to choose a narrower band. Rings are priced by weight, thus a slightly narrower band will decrease the cost.

Another option is to explore other metals. Titanium and tungsten bands, for example, boast high durability and an everlasting shine. Men especially appreciate their resistance to wear-and-tear, and a price point that is far below gold. And for those who still desire at least a touch of gold, titanium bands can incorporate gold accents. Sterling silver is also a respectable option. Though it has a tendency to tarnish with time, a quick buff with a jewelry cloth keeps it looking its finest.

Though the economy ebbs and flows, the Apples of Gold commitment to delighting their customers with jewelry that is both extraordinary and affordable jewelry does not. Founded in 1999, the company set out to develop a jewelry company that would not only do well, but would do good. Ethical, value-based pricing practices were the foundation. The Apples of Gold commitment to quality in their products and the highest standards for customer service and consumer satisfaction come naturally. In the fine jewelry industry, Apples of Gold is a diamond in the rough.

Contact:

Apples of Gold

Afshin Yaghtin

606 South Hill Street, Suite 717 Los Angeles, Ca 90014

Email: marketing(at)applesofgold(dot)com

http://www.applesofgold.com

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