Culp, Inc. Granted Copyright Registrations for Palomino, Stampede and Wrangler Upholstery Fabric Designs

Culp, Inc. (NYSE: CFI) today announced that it has been issued copyright registrations from the United States Copyright Office for three of its most popular upholstery fabric designs: Palomino, Stampede and Wrangler. The Palomino, Stampede and Wrangler copyright registrations (Copyright Registration Nos. VA 1-429-917, VA 1-429-918 and VA 1-429-919) were issued in April 2009, but their effective dates of registration are June 15, 2006.

Culp’s Palomino, Stampede and Wrangler upholstery fabric designs have been recognized for encompassing the essence of natural leather through the use of many original features to create unique fabrics with leather-like appearances and qualities. Culp has sold over 15 million yards of fabric bearing the Palomino, Stampede and Wrangler designs and estimates that a substantial amount of yards of infringing, knock-off fabrics have been sold by competitors and manufacturers in the industry. Culp is the owner of other renowned copyrighted fabric designs as well, including its Congo fabric design (copyright registration issued) and Gunslinger and Serengeti fabric designs (copyright applications on file).

With the issuance of these certificates of registration, Culp will aggressively pursue enforcement of its rights against those engaged in selling knock-offs of Culp’s copyrighted designs. Culp intends to seek all available remedies against infringers, including damages and a disgorgement of profits, as well as injunctive relief against future sales of infringing fabrics.

Culp is also in the process of recording its copyright registrations with the United States Customs & Border Protection, so that U.S. Customs can target and seize imports of fabrics that infringe Culp’s Palomino, Stampede, Wrangler, Congo and other designs.

Rob Culp, chairman of Culp, Inc., commented, "The issuance of copyright registrations for our Palomino, Stampede and Wrangler upholstery fabric designs gives Culp the ability to protect and enforce our proprietary rights in these unique fabric designs. Culp has been heralded as an industry leader in creating fabrics of this nature.”

Frank Saxon, chief executive officer of Culp, Inc., added, "We take great pride in our valued fabric designs, including the revolutionary designs embodied in our Palomino, Stampede and Wrangler fabrics. Culp has numerous customers who have consistently bought our authentic fabrics and the purchase and sale of unauthorized copies affects not only Culp’s business, but also our loyal customers and the fabric industry as a whole. We intend to protect ourselves and our valued customers.”

Culp, Inc. is one of the world’s largest marketers of mattress fabrics for bedding and upholstery fabrics for furniture. The company’s fabrics are used principally in the production of bedding products and residential and commercial upholstered furniture.