Business & Tech
Alex and Ani Lawsuit against BJ's Can Go Forward, Judge Says
In his ruling, Judge William E. Smith said the case is a "bewildering ballad of bungled bangle banditry" and may go forward against the request of BJ's lawyers for a dismissal.
Alex and Ani's legal team vigorously defends its products against copyright infringement and violations of sales agreements and this time, they're targeting national retail giant BJ's Wholesale Club.
A U.S. District Court Judge on Friday ruled that a lawsuit against BJ's filed by Alex and Ani can go forward.
The Cranston-based jewelry company is accusing BJ's of improperly displaying and heavily discounting some of its jewelery after a distributor allegedly delivered 26,000 pieces sometime in 2013.
Alex and Ani sells its products under agreement to retailers and distributors and among its strict requirements is a provision against certain types of unsanctioned discounts.
In his ruling, Judge William E. Smith said the case is a "bewildering ballad of bungled bangle banditry" and may go forward against the request of BJ's lawyers for a dismissal.
The Providence Journal reported that Alex and Ani alleges that the merchandise was delivered to BJ's through a fraud scheme by middlemen who told Alex and Ani they would be handed out during a horse riding competition in Florida, the Wellington Class Fall Challenge and at the Austin Film Festival. Instead, the company alleges, they were delivered for $250,000 to BJ's with a retail value of more than $1 million.
BJ's is arguing that it bought the bracelets in good faith.
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