Georgia carpet company hit with copyright infringement judgment

PORTLAND, MAINE - A Portland rug maker has been awarded $50,000 for copyright infringement by one of the nation&#39;s largest carpet manufacturers. <br> <br> A design by Masland Carpets of Calhoun, Georgia, was knocked off from one sold by Portland rug maker Angela Adams Designs, a federal jury ruled Monday. <br> <br> Masland must destroy any samples of the carpet and remove all catalog images advertising its design, according to the verdict. <br> <br> Adams&#39; lawyer, Robert Stier, said two years ago, Adams was considering Masland as a potential vendor when it sent the company its popular &#39;Manfred design.&#39; <br> <br> Then in February, Masland officials showed Adams their new carpet patterns that closely resembled her own, according to Angela Adams, the firm&#39;s owner. <br> <br> Adams said Masland later began promoting the design, claiming it was not an infringement. <br> <br> Ken Dempsey, president of Masland Carpets, said his company plans to appeal the jury&#39;s verdict. <br> <br> Masland is part of The Dixie Group, the country&#39;s fifth largest carpet maker.