Overstock or Overknockoff???

There are things we love about Overstock.com.  We love their $2.95 shipping on ANYTHING.  We love their 800-thread count sheet sets for $59.  We love that they carry everything from Omega-3 Vitamins to Omega Seamaster watches. 

But when I was browsing their site today, I found something I don't like:  obvious copies of designer furniture.  While I am no means an expert on intellectual property, I do remember from law school that patents can be difficult to obtain and enforce, particularly when you are dealing with the functionality of a piece of furniture.  However, regardless of whether or not a piece's design is patented, it is disappointing to see the handiwork of a talented designer blatantly copied.  Of course it is easier to sell something cheaply when you can capitalize on someone else's artistic design efforts and copy their work detail-for-detail.

Here are a few items on Overstock that really seem like blatant copies of a more expensive original...

The Original: 

Kartell's Missoni Mademoiselle Chair, $1054

The Knockoff:

Colorful Fabric Seat Chair, $191

The Original:

Louis Ghost Chair by Kartell, $422

The Knockoff:

Clear Acrylic Armchair, $322 for 2

The Original:

Eames Rocker, $479

The Knockoff:

Vinnie Cradle Chair, $160

The Original:

Saarinen Tulip Chair, $1900

The Knockoff:

Retro-Design Chair, $160

The Original:

Eames Molded Plastic Armchair, $299

The Knockoff:

 Ayers Wire-base Armchair, $207 for 2

The Original:

Wegner Wishbone Chair, $830

The Knockoff:

Wood Chair with Temp Seat, $191

We would like to differentiate between the blatant copies pictured above and pieces that are designed after a more expensive inspiration piece.

For example:

The Inspiration:

Anthropologie's Astrid Chair, $1300

The Overstock Rendition:

Harlow Arm Chair, $300

While the second chair certainly reminds us of the more expensive Anthropologie Astrid chair, it is not a blatant attempt to copy every possible detail of the Anthro chair.  The lines of the chair and the fabric do vary from the Anthro inspiration piece.

The Inspiration:

Restoration Hardware Wilshire Floor Lamp, $649

The Overstock Rendition:

Endless Sphere Floor Lamp, $130

While these two lamps are similar, you can see obvious differences in the bases of the lamps, the polished v. brushed nickel hardware, and the sizes of the acrylic spheres.

Tell us your feelings on this controversial subject!  Legally there is a difference between counterfeit goods and designer-inspired pieces, but functionally, do you see any real difference between carrying a fake LV handbag and having the Vinnie cradle rocker in your nursery?