20 JULY 2001
When Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt commissioned a pair of matching wedding bands for himself and his bride-to-be Jennifer Aniston last year, they were intended to be inimitable and unique. Literally.

Now the celebrity couple are suing the Italian jewellery designer who crafted the rings, claiming that Damiani International has manufactured Brad and Jennifer knockoffs which have been available on the internet and at some of the brand’s outlets.

The original bands were made of white gold and diamonds and had Jen 2000 and Brad 2000 inscribed on them. Jennifer’s ring was decorated with 20 diamonds and the groom’s ten. The purportedly “copycat” versions come in white and yellow gold and feature either 12 or 13 diamonds. Custom-made, they cost $1,000 a piece and take two months to be produced.

The $50-million lawsuit filed by Brad and Jen, who are seeking an injunction to stop the jewellery company from selling the rings or using their names or likenesses, reportededly says: “Damiani essentially made Pitt and Aniston serve as unwilling ‘shills’, hawking its jewellery to potential customers,” and accused the firm of trying to obtain “the type of publicity that money can’t buy – the purported endorsement and sponsorship of perhaps the world’s most recognised couple.”

To date, the Milan-based Damiani has not commented on the complaint which was filed in LA on Wednesday.