Ikea Sues Biltema for Four Million

Ikea is suing Biltema for four million kronor over alleged copyright infringement. Despite several warnings, Biltema continues to sell two products that resemble copies of Ikea classics.

Throughout the spring, Ikea has confronted Biltema multiple times regarding what they claim are two instances of copyright infringement, reports Dagens Juridik.

The issue involves two products that Ikea considers among their most well-known and appreciated: the watering can IKEA PS 2002 and the stool FÖRSIKTIG.

In their lawsuit, Ikea describes Biltema's products as "close copies."

Demanding Four Million

Ikea's global franchisor, Inter Ikea Systems, is suing Biltema for both copyright infringement and unfair marketing.

They are demanding a total of four million kronor.

Ikea demands that Biltema be prohibited from manufacturing, storing, offering, and selling the watering cans and stools deemed to infringe on Ikea's copyright, with a penalty of one million kronor for both products.

Ikea also wants Biltema to be forced to destroy the copies in their possession and compensate Ikea for costs up to 155,000 kronor related to spreading information about the verdict in the media.

Additionally, a ban on marketing the products is requested, with a penalty of one million kronor.

Ikea: Fruitless Contact

Ikea states that the two companies have repeatedly been in contact about the products during the spring, but this contact has been fruitless.

According to Ikea, Biltema indicated they would stop selling the products, but sales have continued regardless.

Biltema has yet to respond to the court.

Inter Ikea Systems told Expressen that they take "the protection of Ikea product design very seriously," but they do not wish to comment further on the matter, as they do not want to influence the legal process.

Expressen has reached out to Biltema.