(Editor’s Note: PromoWire by PPAI Media is a running digest of updates from organizations around the promotional products industry. PPAI Media will consider newsworthy entries submitted by any member organization.)

December 4

Court Finds Against WOWline In Patent Infringement Suit

WOWline (PPAI 112440, S4) has lost in its court against fellow Syosset, New York supplier Dynamite Marketing. Following a September jury decision that WOWline had willfully infringed on Dynamite Marketing's patent covering its Wallet Ninja product, a federal judge granted Dynamite Marketing's request for about $1.5 million in attorney's fees and a permanent injunction.

WOWline had sought a new trial or relief from the awarded damages and the willful infringement ruling. In his decision, U.S. District Judge Gary Brown of the Eastern District of New York ruled that there was sufficient evidence to support the jury's finding and that WOWline's conduct was unreasonable.

The judge's ruling awarded Dynamite approximately $1.2 million in attorney's fees, $250,000 in expert fees and $152,000 in costs. As this amount was roughly double Dynamite's damages, he did not grant its request for additional damages.

The legal dispute began in 2019, when Dynamite sued WOWline, its parent company and its co-owners for selling copies of its Wallet Ninja, a card-shaped multi-tool.

St Regis Partners With Riedel For Fine Wine Glasses And Decanters

St Regis Group (PPAI 230188, S6) is expanding its glassware line in the U.S. and Canada with the addition of select Riedel wine glasses and decanters. Distributors can now source Riedel’s premium brand directly from the St Regis Group website.

  • With a rich heritage dating back over 260 years, Riedel is known for creating precision-engineered glassware that elevates the characteristics of each grape varietal.

“Riedel has long been synonymous with the pinnacle of wine glass craftsmanship,” says Merrick Falkenstein, CRO of the St Regis Group. “Their commitment to perfection aligns seamlessly with our dedication to providing the finest stemware, making Riedel’s wine glasses and decanters a seamless fit into our line.”

December 1

HPG Promotes Jing Rong To VP Of Supply Chain & Sustainability

Jing Rong, who has been the supply chain and compliance leader at HPG (PPAI 110772, S11) for the past seven years, is taking on a new, expanded role leading the company’s sustainability initiatives as its new vice president of supply chain & sustainability.

  • Rong also serves on HPG’s executive leadership team and has been part of PPAI’s Product Responsibility Action Group (PRAG) for the past two years.

“I am super excited to build HPG’s sustainability roadmap and work across HPG Brands to execute the vision,” says Rong. “Sustainability is a topic I’m personally passionate about and I appreciate the support from HPG to dedicate more time and resources to do this in a more significant way.”

Chris Anderson, CEO of HPG, adds, “Jing has the well-earned reputation for being a very effective operator within HPG. I am thrilled that this new role allows HPG to take broader advantage of Jing’s talents and experience – particularly in the critical area of sustainability. HPG has been taking new steps each year to ‘grow greener,’ such as expanding our industry-leading number of domestically manufactured and assembled SKUs (with the recent acquisition of Evans Manufacturing). Moreover, I’m excited for HPG to reveal over 50 new, innovative, sustainability-focused products in January as further sign of what’s to come. With Jing leading the charge, HPG’s sustainability growth will only accelerate.”