Core Group requests The Notebook Company to remove the Apple logo from its websites?

The Notebook Company – one of the country’s leading notebook and accessories retailers - has been asked by Core Group (aka Apple South Africa) to have the Apple logo removed from its websites.

This was confirmed by Christopher Riley, the owner and CEO of The Notebook Company – which also runs the on-line Sites: Laptop.co.za and Notebook.co.za. Riley said he had already removed the Apple logo. “The Apple logo has been removed and we now merely reflect the fact that we sell Apple products by the use, only, of the Apple name – in a pure text form as requested by Core.”

An interesting point, however, is that Core itself is not allowed either to use the official Apple logo even as distributor, according to Sean Swanson from Core.

Last year a similar request was made by Dell, which, through its attorney’s Adams and Adams, demanded that The Notebook Company remove the Dell logo from its web-sites, and also refrain from using the domain name www.DellLaptop.co.za.

This domain name was subsequently  changed to www.laptop.co.za/Dell

The Notebook Company continues to successfully sell Dell product.

“I understand that the owners of brands have the right to decide how their logos can be used.  Our Brand Bar with different brand logos just makes it easier for the consumer to select which brand he wants to buy."

THE NOTEBOOK COMPANY promotes Dell via Laptop.co.za/Dell Instead of DellLaptop.co.za

DELL

After heading for what seemed like an expensive court battle, The Notebook Company (Notebook.co.za and Laptop.co.za) - a leading notebook and accessories retailer and on-line retailer - has agreed to have the domain name DellLaptop.co.za deleted and will now promote Dell Laptops underLaptop.co.za/Dell. The company has also replaced the Dell Logo on its websites: www.laptop.co.za and www.notebook.co.za with "Dell PartnerDirect Registered" logos in terms of what was requested by Dell.

This follows four months of ongoing negotiations after Dell informed The Notebook Company – via its lawyers, Adams & Adams – that all the Dell logos must be removed from any signage, websites or material material displayed by The Notebook Company.

Until recently it looked as if the companies were poised for a court battle.

Said Christopher Riley, Ceo of The Notebook Company: “Dell owns the trademark, and we seem to have no right using it without their permission, even though we have sold their products for over 10 years. We also buy from their official distribution channel - During this period  we have also  been made a ‘Dell PartnerDirect Registered’ agent.    

 “I am still of the belief that you will not find this kind of silliness from other brands that have used the channel for a long time. Technically, each time you see an advert using logos of products such as HP, Lenovo, Sony, Toshiba, Acer  from a retailer they should have received permission from  the trademark holder to display the logo. We all know this does not happen. But there seems to be a gentleman's agreement that if you don't create damage for my brand I will allow you to use my brand's name in adverts and materials without pointing out the technicalities of the law to you.

It still concerns me that Dell makes is quite difficult for prospective customers to find retailers of its products - We still have difficulty promoting Dell even through Google - Dell is not allowed in the advert text - Making it difficult to say - We sell Dell!