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Stewart sued by maker of pumpkin-carving kits
Associated Press
Published Oct 24, 2002 STEW25
DENVER -- A company that sells pumpkin-carving kits is adding to Stewart's woes with a lawsuit accusing patent infringement.
Denver-based Pumpkin Masters claimed in a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday that Stewart is marketing and selling pumpkin-carving kits that violate its patent.
Pumpkin Masters is seeking unspecified damages. Company officials could not be reached late Wednesday.
Stewart is chief executive and chairman of the company. A message left Wednesday night at the company's public relations firm was not returned.
Pumpkin Masters' lawsuit against Stewart is the latest of several the company has filed around Halloween, when various pumpkin-decoration kits hit the market. Past defendants included Kmart Corp. and Kraft General Foods Inc.
The company started as a family business in 1986. Founder and former president Kea Bardeen filed a patent for the pumpkin-carving kit in 1987. The kits include patterns and tools.
Stewart has become embroiled in an insider trading investigation of ImClone Systems Inc. Federal authorities are investigating whether she sold her ImClone shares after receiving inside knowledge about regulatory hurdles for the company's cancer drug.
She has denied any wrongdoing.
Associated Press
Published Oct 24, 2002 STEW25
DENVER -- A company that sells pumpkin-carving kits is adding to Stewart's woes with a lawsuit accusing patent infringement.
Denver-based Pumpkin Masters claimed in a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday that Stewart is marketing and selling pumpkin-carving kits that violate its patent.
Pumpkin Masters is seeking unspecified damages. Company officials could not be reached late Wednesday.
Stewart is chief executive and chairman of the company. A message left Wednesday night at the company's public relations firm was not returned.
Pumpkin Masters' lawsuit against Stewart is the latest of several the company has filed around Halloween, when various pumpkin-decoration kits hit the market. Past defendants included Kmart Corp. and Kraft General Foods Inc.
The company started as a family business in 1986. Founder and former president Kea Bardeen filed a patent for the pumpkin-carving kit in 1987. The kits include patterns and tools.
Stewart has become embroiled in an insider trading investigation of ImClone Systems Inc. Federal authorities are investigating whether she sold her ImClone shares after receiving inside knowledge about regulatory hurdles for the company's cancer drug.
She has denied any wrongdoing.
