He has been accused of having derivative tastes: last year Cartier accused Mr. Arabo of trademark infringement and of false designation of origin, among other allegations.

They alleged copyright infringement and state law claims of false designation of origin, unfair competition, conversion, fraud and misappropriation of trade secrets involving six documents published by the defendants.

For any goods or services, it bans false designation of origin or a false description or representation.

Twentieth Century Fox sued under the Lanham Act, a federal trademark law that prohibits "any false designation of origin" in the sale of "any goods or services."

The present law lets a business sue if an advertiser makes claims about a "false designation of origin or any false description or representation."

Carroll and his company had been previously sued by Blue Macellari at Duke University for copyright infringement, false designation of origin, consumer fraud and deception.

The Lanham Act gives any person (such as a competitor) who is damaged by a false designation of origin the right to sue the party making the false claim.

Initially, Lasercomb filed an action against Holiday Steel for breach of contract, copyright infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud, unfair competition, and false designation of origin.

In August 2008, Jones Day filed a lawsuit against Blockshopper LLC for service mark infringement, service mark dilution, false designation of origin and deceptive trade practices.

In consumer law, false designation of origin occurs when the manufacturer or seller lies about the country of origin or maker of its products.