Manufacturer Marrakech Design commissioned Claesson Koivisto Rune Architects to design a series of floor tiles in 2011, introduced into the market at the Stockholm Design Week the following year. The tiles were handmade in cement in Marrakech in a historic technique that was largely forgotten in the west in 2012. The collection became an instant success, in particular, a design named ‘Dandelion’. Dandelion was honoured the acclaimed Elle Deco International Design Award in 2012-2013. Yet, over the last five years a number of copies have been seen by other manufacturers claiming this pattern to be either their own or ‘traditional’. This explanation will be difficult by anyone to uphold from now. In a recent trial at the Stockholm District Court, the copyist ‘Tiles-R-Us’ was sentenced of copyright infringement for their infringing version of the Dandelion tile.

The owners were sentenced to two years suspended prison time and shall also pay damages to the rights holders. They are also prohibited under penalty of a fine to sell their infringing copies. The verdict has gained legal force. The prosecution was investigated and lead by the special copyright infringement department of the Swedish Police.