In Brief: Suit Against De Beers

• SUIT AGAINST DE BEERS: Los Angeles jewelry design firm Orogem said last week it was going forward with a copyright infringement lawsuit against De Beers SA. The company initially filed suit in U.S. District Court in its hometown in December, but delayed serving the complaint in hopes of resolving the issue. Orogem alleges that De Beers’ new Everlon line infringes on its own Larkhead pendant design and lists Everlon retailers, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and J.C. Penney Co. Inc., as co-defendants. De Beers said it considered the suit to be without merit. “De Beers will rigorously defend its rights in this case,” said Lynette Gould, head of media relations for the London-based De Beers Group.