Technology Designer Magazine explores the world where technology meets design. Written by and for the design-build community, the magazine features unique team profiles and in-depth project case studies.

DMF Lighting is proud to be featured in the publication:

OneFrame
Sexy and sleek. A lighting fixture you need to know about.

BY STEPHANIE CASIMIRO

Once upon a time… you only had a few options when it came to lighting your living room. There were several sizes of incandescent lights/fixtures (size of the projected beam/flood), several wattages to pick from (level of overall brightness), and if you really wanted to go custom, you could put in a dimmer switch.

Well, today that’s all changed. Just for downlighting purposes your options include a wide range of lighting components and in-ceiling frames that run the gamut from flood to narrow flood, wall wash to accent lighting.

And that’s not all! With tunable lighting and lighting control systems that allow the homeowner to make on-the-fly changes to their lighting schemes, the complexity of hardware on the market poses a real challenge for lighting and interior designers. Which is why we’ve fallen head-over-heels with DMF’s OneFrame.

The OneFrame is an LED housing that was created with multiple disciplines encoded into its DNA. From residential to multi-family (MDU) to commercial, it’s a cost-effective solution that requires less than 4″ of ceiling space. What sets it apart is the versatility and functionality that adds up to a value-add that’s hard to beat.

Let’s first consider DMF’s primary led downlights

The DRD2 is a powerful chip-on-board LED that delivers up to 1,000 lumens of general lighting true color representation. The DRD2X incorporates advanced optics for a precise, targeted beam of low glare illumination. The DRD4 incorporates an integral driver and 20°, 30°, and 40° beam options with full 360° directional aiming.

What’s cool about the OneFrame is that their downlights are completely interchangeable. Let’s say you’re a builder and you spec lighting into each of the units in an MDU. Who knows what each resident will opt for when it comes to lighting their space? Now you have the option of installing DMF’s in-ceiling housing and giving the new tenants options when it comes to customizing their environment.

Homeowners also benefit from this modular concept. Who knows when you might choose to switch up any given room décor. With a modular approach to the lighting infrastructure – the actual housing unit – you can change from wall wash to accent lighting in minutes. As customers redecorate their home, the lighting can now seamlessly change as well.

But wait! There’s more! Besides the versatility of offering a modular housing approach to downlighting, DMF has been smart to engineer in some well thought out features that add to the OneFrame’s versatility.

Learn more about the OneFrame.

View original article on Technology Designer.

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Each year, DMF honors a special selection from our network of representatives for all the great work they do. The Brilliance Awards celebrate not just great performance, but a partner’s outstanding dedication to reflecting all that DMF stands for, from knowledge and partnership to loyalty and professionalism.

Diamond Award

The Diamond Award celebrates representatives without equal. Diamond Award winners excel at communicating with the whole DMF organization and are constantly learning more about our products and policies. Their excellence reflects amazing sales performances, especially across different business segments. Their passion and dedication makes them more than just partners, it makes them key members of the DMF Family.

Prism Award

The Prism Award goes to the Representative that achieved great success in their first year with DMF. These remarkable reps go beyond the day to day to successfully integrate themselves into the DMF ecosystem, quickly and effectively building relationships and knowledge. Prism Award winners demonstrate their hard work and potential for growth. They have a bright future together with DMF.

Crystal Award

The Crystal Award recognizes Representatives, who achieve their agreed sales quota goals. Such commitment and achievement are essential to our DMF business success. Crystal Award winners help us invest consistently in our business, growing our products, people, and impact to the market. Their partnership excellence is recognized and greatly appreciated.

Vision Award

The Vision Award is given to individuals who demonstrate an unparalleled bond with DMF in ways both large and small. They champion our products, our brand, and our spirit in everything that they do. Vision Award winners help DMF and our customers achieve great things because their insight solves problems and illuminates new approaches. Their excellence is a beacon that inspires our team and beyond.

Congratulations to the 2018 recipients

Our manufacturer’s representatives are the cornerstone of our business and we are proud to bestow the very best of them these Brilliance Awards. Congratulations to the winners and thank you everyone for your effort and dedication.

We look forward to another year of continued success and creativity from next year’s award winners!

Connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to stay up to date with everything that’s happening at DMF Lighting.

LOS ANGELES, CA – March 12, 2019 – DMF Lighting^® (DMF), a leader in LED downlighting innovation, announced today the United States District Court for the Central District of California granted DMF’s motion for a preliminary injunction against AMP Plus, Inc. d/b/a ELCO Lighting and ELCO Lighting, Inc. (ELCO), based on recessed lighting products that DMF alleged infringed DMF’s U.S. Patent No. 9,964,266 (“the ‘266 Patent”). The Court ruled that ELCO and “all those acting in concert with them” shall “immediately cease all manufacture, use, sales, offers for sale or importation of all three versions of the ELL LED Module or any other products that infringe the Patent.” This ruling not only impacts ELCO, but sales representatives, distributors, online retailers, and others who are acting in concert with ELCO to offer for sale or sell the infringing products.

As the Court noted, the ‘266 Patent protects DMF’s invention of a modular LED recessed lighting system that includes a compact LED module with a low-profile heat conducting casting. The LED module fits into traditional “cans” or other lighting fixtures but is also small enough to fit into standard junction boxes. The LED lighting system also includes a twist-and-lock connection so that trims of different sizes and designs can be attached to the LED module by hand without tools.

Observing that a preliminary injunction is an “extraordinary remedy,” the Court found that, among other things, a preliminary injunction is warranted because DMF “has shown that it is more likely than not that it will prevail on infringement” and ELCO had not raised a substantial question about the patent’s validity. Further, DMF “demonstrated a likelihood of irreparable harm” to DMF by ELCO’s infringement. The Court also found that the public interest weighed in favor of enforcing DMF’s patent rights.

The evidence showed that DMF has a reputation as a “specification grade manufacturer” whose products have garnered many awards for innovation. ELCO, by contrast, is a “light commercial grade” vendor that sells commodity products. Evidence showed that ELCO “developed a scheme to increase its LED market presence by directly copying DMF’s DRD2 LED Module lighting system and started selling its infringing products – ELCO’s ELL LED Modules – two years after DMF publicly introduced its LED lighting system.” As the Court noted, rather than stop infringing sales in response to DMF’s cease and desist letters, evidence showed that ELCO’s President urged ELCO sales representatives to increase their sales efforts and “dominate the market.”

Although ELCO argued that a preliminary injunction would be a “harsh consequence” for ELCO, the Court found that the record indicates “ELCO intentionally copied DMF’s product” and “[o]ne who elects to build a business on a product found to infringe cannot be heard to complain if an injunction against continuing infringement destroys the business so elected.”

“This ruling affirms the strength of DMF’s patent protection for its DRD2 Module, offered under DMF’s OneFrame and OneLED brands,” said Michael Danesh, Vice President and inventor of the ‘266 Patent. “DMF invests heavily in research and development and is proud of the training and skill of its employees who are dedicated to delivering premium, innovative products to the industry. We will enforce our patent rights to protect our investments and our employees.”

DMF filed this patent infringement action against ELCO on August 15, 2018 in the federal court for the Central District of California. In addition to an injunction, DMF is seeking monetary damages, enhanced damages due to ELCO’s willful infringement, and attorneys’ fees.

Link to DMF Order Granting Preliminary Injunction

About DMF

DMF Lighting designs and builds LED downlighting that sets the bar for simplicity, flexibility and quality. At our in-house R&D lab, our engineers and designers are at work constantly pushing boundaries and refining products to ensure that your light and lighting consistently exceeds expectations. Every DMF product delivers outstanding performance and aesthetics while saving you time and money year after year.

Official Press Release

Please report imitation DMF products to legal@dmflighting.com.

Another Year of Awards

What an honor to receive continued praise by others within the industry. A true testament to our brilliant engineers.

OneFrame System
Architectural SSL Product Innovation Award

DRD5S Surface Mount
Architectural SSL Product Innovation Award

DRD4 Adjustable
IES Progress Report Selection

DRD5S Surface Mount
IES Progress Report Selection

Our Team Continues to Grow

With further additions to our DMF family in 2018, we continue to invest in our most important asset.

Looking Forward

Though 2018 was a year for the books, much of our time and effort has been focused on the future. As we enter the first quarter of 2019, our attention is turned to new products, new projects and a broader distribution of our full catalog.

“If you want to see the latest in LED downlight innovation, keep an eye out for our new products rolling out in the next few months”

Ian Ibbitson Chief Operating Officer

To experience these upcoming products first hand, join us at:
LEDucation New York, Mar 12-13
LIGHTFAIR Philadelphia, May 21-23

Thank You.

It was a big year for DMF Lighting, but we couldn’t have done it without the support of our reps and customers. Thank you for making all of our accomplishments possible and for being a part of the DMF community.

It truly was a brilliant year, we couldn’t have done it without you!

LOS ANGELES, CA – DMF Lighting^® (DMF), a leader in LED downlighting innovation, announced today that it would not increase pricing due to tariffs.

As has been widely reported, the Office of the United States Trade Representative continues to increase the Section 301 tariff on goods coming into the U.S. from China. This includes many lighting components and finished products. While numerous lighting companies have used these tariffs as a justification to raise prices not just once but twice, DMF remains committed to delivering the same excellent products and excellent value that customers have come to expect.

“Our intention is to keep our prices at the same levels despite the Section 301 tariffs”, said DMF COO Ian Ibbitson. “We understand how important it is for our customers to move forward without interrupting ongoing projects or disrupting future plans.”

DMF Lighting manufactures the majority of its products outside of China. Its products will be largely unaffected by the tariffs, and the supply chain will remain uninterrupted. By making this promise of holding prices steady, DMF gives customers the confidence to continue working with the company today and into the future.

Michael Danesh, DMF’s Director of Business Development, believes “One of our greatest assets is the trust our customers place in us. By holding prices steady, our successful partnerships will continue for years to come. This is far more important than a few added dollars to the bottom line today.”

About DMF

DMF Lighting designs and builds LED downlighting that sets the bar for simplicity, flexibility and quality. At our in-house R&D lab, our engineers and designers are at work constantly pushing boundaries and refining products to ensure that your light and lighting consistently exceeds expectations. Every DMF product delivers outstanding performance and aesthetics while saving you time and money year after year.

Official Press Release

LOS ANGELES, CA – August 16, 2018 – DMF Lighting^® (DMF), a leader in LED downlighting innovation, announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against ELCO Lighting, Inc. (ELCO), in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 2:18-cv-07090.

The lawsuit alleges that ELCO is willfully infringing DMF’s U.S. Patent No. 9,964,266 by selling an imitation of DMF’s award-winning DRD2 LED Module. The DRD2 Module is a compact LED light engine that creates downlighting systems that are simple to specify, install, and maintain, and that can be used across many different lighting environments. Offered under DMF’s OneFrame System and OneLED brands, the DRD2 Module has revolutionized recessed lighting technology since its introduction in 2014. The DRD2 Module facilitates a flexible, modular approach that combines versatile light module and trim options for both compact junction box and architectural recessed fixture applications.

The lawsuit alleges that ELCO has tried to cause confusion in the marketplace regarding the origin of DMF’s products sold under the OneFrame and OneLED marks (the “One Marks”) and ELCO’S copycat products, including by promoting the infringing products under the trademark “UNO,” meaning “ONE.”

Michael Danesh, inventor of the DRD2 Module, stated: “At DMF, we believe in creating quality products by consistently investing in our innovation. We are committed to protecting our investments in research and development so that we can continue to create award-winning products and deliver exceptional value to our customers.”

About DMF

DMF Lighting designs and builds LED downlighting that sets the bar for simplicity, flexibility and quality. At our in-house R&D lab, our engineers and designers are at work constantly pushing boundaries and refining products to ensure that your light and lighting consistently exceeds expectations. Every DMF product delivers outstanding performance and aesthetics while saving you time and money year after year.

Official Press Release

Please report imitation DMF products to legal@dmflighting.com.