Cartier lawsuit accuses Newport jeweler of copying parrot necklace design

The creation studio of Cartier, the prestigious French jewelry company, has filed a federal lawsuit against a Newport Beach jeweler, alleging copyright and patent infringement.

Cartier claims that Lugano Diamonds, at 620 Newport Center Drive, is selling a parrot necklace that copies one sold by Cartier.

According to the complaint, filed May 28 in U.S. District Court in San Diego, the necklaces feature diamonds as feathers, an emerald eye and a tail of blue or green beads finished with pearl ends.

Along with the parrot necklace, Cartier claims that Lugano has offered, distributed, imported and/or exported jewelry pieces that resemble pieces from Cartier’s Panthere collection.

The complaint alleges that Lugano knew the items were similar to Cartier’s products.

Ron Oines, an attorney for Lugano Diamonds, said Monday that the company denies all the allegations.

According to the complaint, Cartier saw the parrot necklace advertised on Lugano Diamonds’ Facebook page and that a Cartier agent visited Lugano’s showroom in April. According to the lawsuit, a Lugano employee said the company had sold a parrot necklace for $68,000.

“The defendants’ representative stated that the defendants could make additional copies of other Cartier products for cheaper prices than those offered by Cartier,” the complaint alleges.

On May 8, Cartier’s attorneys sent a letter to Lugano asking that it immediately “cease their unlawful activities.”

The necklace was still on Lugano’s Facebook page Monday.

Cartier claims Lugano has caused irreparable damage to Cartier, and the suit is seeking a halt to sales of the similar items plus an unspecified amount of money, including damages, attorney’s fees and gains and savings resulting from the alleged infringement.

Stephen Youngerman, an attorney for Cartier, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.