This publication was notified that the business websites of two recently appointed board members of the Diamond Dealers Club of Australia (DDCA) featured the logos of various international industry bodies.
Most notable was the logo of Gemological Institute of America (GIA), an organisation with strict policies regarding third-party business use of its intellectual property for promotional purposes.
Jeweller’s 3 December report detailed that the GIA logo appeared on the website of newly appointed board members Anna Cisecki and Nirav Shah without approval.
Cisecki is executive director of Australian Diamond Portfolio, and the DDCA website states that she holds an MBA from the Australian School of Business and is a member of the Canadian Institute of Gemology.
“She [Cisecki] is an enthusiastic diamond connoisseur with a commitment to educating clients and industry professionals about fancy coloured diamonds and prioritising transparency in diamond investment,” her profile page on the DDCA website states.
Shah is director of Affection Diamonds, and the DDCA website states the following: “With over two decades of experience, trust and goodwill in the industry, Nirav serves as the Treasurer for the Diamond Dealers’ Club of Australia, with the aim to continue serving the jewellery trade with the highest level of integrity and professionalism.”
A GIA spokesperson confirmed that the organisation is not familiar with either business and that its legal department would be consulted regarding the use of its intellectual property.
Its website states: “GIA does not permit anyone outside of the Institute to use our logo in any way.”
Following the publication of the story, the Affection Diamonds website was changed. The logos for the GIA and three other organisations were deleted and replaced with plain-text acronyms.
Conversely, the Australian Diamond Portfolio website remained unchanged. The GIA logo was still displayed on the home page.
Jeweller contacted Shah and asked if Affection Diamonds had permission to use the logos of any of the four international trade organisations on its website. Likewise, Cisecki was contacted seeking clarification about the continued use of the GIA logo on the Australian Diamond Portfolio website.
At the time of publication, neither Shah nor Cisecki had responded; however, following the questions to Cisecki the Australian Diamond Portfolio website has been changed. The official GIA logo has been deleted and has been replaced with a ‘Diamonds graded by GIA’ official logo.
As previously highlighted, this is not the first time that DDCA board members have found themselves in hot water over the misappropriation of the intellectual property of other jewellery industry associations and organisations.
In late 2022, former president (now vice-president) Rami Baron fell foul of three international bodies, including the GIA.
JAA moves to protect its intellectual property
In a separate yet similar matter, a diamond business that the Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) had accused of misusing its intellectual property was recently placed in liquidation.
Since 2019, a page on the JAA’s website titled ‘Non-members referencing membership’ has alleged “deceptive and misleading claims” by Sydney-based Delphi Diamonds.
The website states: “The Jewellers Association of Australia advises that the following business is making deceptive and misleading claims about JAA membership by stating in writing and/or using the JAA member logo without authorisation.
“Despite our courteous requests for this business to remove these references, no action has been taken.”
The website also advises readers to contact their state consumer department, relating to the company.
In an attempt to protect its reputation and intellectual property, the JAA’s caution explained: “Delphi Diamonds (ABN: 50 115 871 737) is not a member of the Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA), as from 31 December 2019, despite displaying the JAA Member logo on their website - delphidiamonds.com.au."
Australian Securities and Investments Commission records show that Delphi Diamonds was placed in liquidation in June following a wind up application by the Australian Taxation Office.
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