BUSINESSES have rallied around Aqua-Star in its battle to stop a Chinese motorboat builder using the name it has spent more than 40 years building up.
It was revealed last month that the Guernsey business and its owner Geoff Willson (pictured) had spent several months attempting to put pressure on Jiangsu-based Suzhou Aquastar to change its name.
And despite asking for the Commerce and Employment Department to assist, and even writing to Madam Fu Ying, the Chinese ambassador to the UK, for help following her visit to the island in November, nothing has materialised apart from the offer from the department for Aqua-Star to use offices and meeting rooms made available for Guernsey companies in Shanghai.
At that time a spokesman for the department said it was essentially ‘a commercial matter’ for Aqua-Star to deal with.
But since then, Mr Willson said a number of businessmen in Guernsey had got in touch to help and to do their bit.
‘We’ve had a few Guernsey businessmen who deal with China contact us to give us some of their good contacts in the country and we are in the process of following those up at the moment.
‘We’re making contact with those leads and we hope that in the new year we will see some further developments.’
No further response has come from Commerce and Employment, or the Chinese Embassy in London, but Mr Willson said he was pleased to see the togetherness of the island’s business community.
As he pointed out, the issue might be one facing Aqua-Star at present, but in another month’s time it could be another Guernsey company having its name plagiarised in China.
‘I think it’s great these companies should help. It’s very useful to have the support from people in the business community that they would like to help with our predicament.’
It is understood the motorboat builder in China has been using the name for the past 18 months.
Article posted on 23rd December, 2009 - 2.30pm
6 Article Comments
Perhaps they should get in touch with Lingo24 in Edinburgh who have had their entire website stolen by a Chinese based company then they could fight a joint campaign
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8426094.stm
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Loads of businesses incorporated in different countries have the same or similar names. In this case, the Chinese company has made it clear they are from China, as their business name is Souzhou Aqua-star.
I’m not an expert, so correct me if I’m wrong but the way I see it, unless they are deliberately stealing logos or trying to con clients into thinking they are the same company or linked, I don’t see that the local company has a leg to stand on.
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Paul Le Page
I think you’re absolutely right, unless they are implying that they’re the local firm then nothing wrong has happened.
I’d be amazed if they agree to change their name, why on earth should they?
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I think it depends on whether they are trying to sell into the same market. IT also depends on the size of the company and the internation awareness of the brand.
But, china is a law on to itself and their government has no interest in honour international IP’s
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Paul
I totally agree with you, I really dont know what the fuss is all about.
How on earth is this Chinese company going to affect the local company beats me.
I would be more concerned if they were building identical boats.
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The name Aquastar is a globally recognised brand and is the property of the Guernsey company – it is not just a name, it is a tangible asset with a very real monetary value. By using the name this Chinese firm are effectively stealing that asset.
It may not seem like a significant matter to most of us but for Aquastar in Guernsey it could potentially be very damaging in terms of their profits (and jobs for local people). Good luck to Geoff Wilson in his battle.
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