Originality in design is the heartbeat of the kitchen and bath industry. From concept to finished installation, the industry’s value rests on creativity, craftsmanship and innovation. Designers envision transformative spaces; manufacturers invest significant resources in materials and precise engineering; remodelers and installers bring these visions to life with skill and care. This interconnected ecosystem thrives on authenticity.
At Buster + Punch, we’ve seen a marked increase in imitation of key design elements such as our signature cabinet hardware’s cross and linear knurl patterns, door levers and Electricity collections. These are not just surface aesthetics; they emulate our specific machining processes, material finishes and precision engineering that distinguish authentic products. These advanced manufacturing techniques ensure durability, consistency and a tactile quality unmatched by replicas.
Why does this matter beyond any one brand? Because originality is the cornerstone of a healthy industry ecosystem. When original designs are copied and mass-produced without regard for intellectual property, it undermines the investment manufacturers make in innovation, threatens quality standards, and ultimately erodes consumer trust.
Photo: Buster + Punch
To protect that integrity, we maintain an internal library of all our intellectual property, including design registrations, patents and trademarks. We actively monitor key online marketplaces and sales channels to spot potential counterfeit or infringing products early. When issues arise, our legal team starts with a range of warning letters, escalating when needed to specialist attorneys. Since 2022, we’ve tracked each case, weighing factors like how close a copy is to our original, the scale of the infringement, and the assessment of legal action versus reaching a cease-and-desist agreement. The goal is to remove infringing products before they reach consumers – and in the past year alone, we’ve had thousands of listings taken down with steadily improving compliance rates.
When signature elements of any product are copied, often by manufacturers producing cheaper knock-offs with inferior materials and processes, the consequences ripple across the industry. For designers, it diminishes the value of original concepts. For manufacturers, it erodes the return on investment in innovation and quality control. Remodelers and installers face challenges sourcing genuine products, and consumers ultimately bear the brunt with lower quality and inconsistent performance.
Beyond the tangible products, this issue strikes at the very culture of creativity that drives our sector forward. Innovation fuels new design approaches – whether through integrating smart technology, sustainable materials, or cutting-edge finishes – that distinguish our industry as a leader in functional beauty and lifestyle enhancement. When originality is compromised, the incentive to innovate weakens, potentially stalling progress and homogenizing market offerings.
Be Original Americas is a nonprofit organization committed to protecting design integrity. Through partnerships with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Be Original Americas actively works to intercept counterfeit shipments before they reach the market. To date, their efforts have resulted in the seizure of over $30 million worth of counterfeit goods and protection of more than 8,000 American jobs tied to design and manufacturing. This initiative benefits not only individual brands but safeguards the broader industry’s economic and creative future.
Importantly, protecting originality is not about erecting barriers; it’s about fostering a fair and sustainable marketplace. It ensures designers and manufacturers can continue to innovate, providing remodelers and installers with high-quality, authentic products that enhance the homes they create. It also empowers consumers to invest confidently in design pieces that carry meaning, longevity and artistic integrity.
Photo: Buster + Punch
As our industry evolves with emerging trends – like the integration of smart home technologies, environmentally responsible materials, creating sustainable products and personalized design experiences – preserving the originality that underpins these innovations will be crucial. It calls for collaboration across all stakeholders – from designers and manufacturers to industry associations and government bodies – to uphold ethical standards, enforce intellectual property rights, and promote a culture that values genuine creativity.
Originality in design is more than a competitive edge; it is the foundation of trust, quality, and progress in the kitchen and bath industry. Defending it is not only our duty – it is essential for the continued vitality and growth of the entire sector.
—By David Schlocker, president, Buster + Punch
