Stairs subject of lawsuit

Wednesday, May 31, 2000 | 11:11 a.m.

A Medina, Ohio-based stair system maker is seeking more than $500,000 in damages from a Nevada steel subcontractor and two general contractors, alleging they infringed its DROP-IN STAIRS system trademark.

In a Clark County District Court lawsuit, Sharon Companies Ltd. said it released its shop designs to SME Industries Inc. for review and approval after SME agreed to pay Sharon $77,900 to make the stair system for Remington Suites Las Vegas LP's Embassy Suites on Paradise Road.

Sharon said it makes its trademarked "DROP-IN STAIRS" for thousands of buildings worldwide including most of the major Strip hotel and casino resorts.

SME is accused of reneging on its agreement after receiving the designs and transferring these to a contractor, Smith Ironworks, instead of returning the drawings within a week of receipt. Smith, in turn, allegedly made slight alterations to the designs and passed these off as Sharon's trademarked stairs, while SME and Martin Harris Construction Inc. installed the stairs, the suit said.

"The release of shop drawings for a particular construction project is routine practice and is performed in the construction industry for design approval and permitting purposes ... and not a license for the use and manufacture of such designs by third parties..." the suit said.

SME's attorney declined comment.