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The US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on June 12, 2019, affirmed a $2 million win for Bodum USA Inc., makers of the Chambord French press coffeemaker, in a trade dress infringement case. Bodum USA, Inc. v. A Top New Casting Inc., 7th Cir., No. 18‐3020, 6/12/19.

Bodum sued A Top New Casting, Inc. (A Top) for selling a French press that Bodum claimed infringes on its unregistered trade dress in the Chambord. The district court denied A Top’s argument that the Chambord design was functional and found for Bodum.

The Court agreed, finding the Bodum only claimed trade dress protection for the appearance of the Chambord and its distinctive metal cage, pillars, handle, and domed lid with a spherical knob, and it didn’t claim the functional elements of the cylindrical carafe and plunger.