Earlier, InteriorDaily published that 'Dutch furniture brand Montis has lost a lawsuit against the State. The Dongen-based company claimed that previous case law and legislation surrounding their designs were unlawful, but the court in The Hague rejected these claims.'
Lande Family, which took over the company in December last year, says it 'has nothing to do with this lawsuit. The legal battle is between Montis Holding B.V. of the former owner of the Montis brand against the state, so not the Montis brand against the state.'
The Montis Charly armchairs in ochre yellow leather. FILE PHOTO
Montis Holding B.V. argued that the Supreme Court had wrongly ruled that a specific provision of the Benelux Designs Act (BTMW) did not violate the Berne Convention, an international copyright treaty. However, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) later ruled that this article did violate that convention. Montis claimed to have suffered damage as a result and claimed compensation from the State.
Court ruling
The court ruled that Montis Holding B.V. had an insufficient interest in the claims because it had not been established that Germany was the country of origin of the 'Charly' design. As a result, the Berne Convention could not simply be declared applicable. Moreover, the court stated that there was no unlawful jurisdiction, as no fundamental legal principles had been violated.
Montis Holding B.V. was founded in 1974 by the Van den Berg brothers and is known for modern furniture pieces that combine comfort and style. Iconic designs such as the Charly and Chaplin armchairs, designed by co-founder Gerard van den Berg, have gained international recognition. Besides seating, Montis offers a wide range of sofas, chairs, cabinets and tables, which can be used to furnish a complete interior. The Montis furniture brand was acquired by Lande Family in December 2024.
Read the full statement here.