Newegg Rejects Best Buy's Copyright Infringement Claim
Newegg has responded to copyright infringement claims by Best Buy which insist that the Geek On logo infringes on the latter's Geek Squad logo.
Last week Best Buy issued a cease and desist order to online electronics retailer Newegg over the latter company's use of the word "geek" in its latest advertising campaign. Best Buy's aggravation was also compounded by the similarities between its own Geek Squad Logo colors (orange, black and white) and Newegg's Geek On logo colors (also orange, black and white), and the similarities between Newegg's use of the "power on" symbol in "on" and Best Buy's tie-in-a-power-on-symbol.
Best Buy also wasn't happy about Newegg seemingly making fun of Best Buy employees in a recent TV ad.
"Best Buy has spent many years building goodwill in its distinctive GEEK SQUAD Mark, Geek Squad Trade Dress, and Tie and Power Design mark," the company said in the two-page letter. "As a result, these marks and trade dress have come to identify Best Buy's Geek Squad services to consumers around the country. Given Best Buy's substantial investment over the years in building equity in these marks and trade dress, Best Buy cannot permit activities which place that valuable goodwill at risk."
"Your misuse of our valuable trademarks and your negative portrayal of our employees violate our trademark rights and misleads consumers about our services, in violation of federal and state law" the company said further on in the letter. "While we welcome fair competition, we cannot tolerate unfair competition that disparages our employees, confuses our customers and damages our valuable trademarks and the goodwill associated with those marks."
On Tuesday Newegg responded to Best Buy's request, saying that it disagrees with the rival's claim of copyright infringement. "Best Buy neither owns nor has exclusive rights to use the word 'Geek,' and Best Buy neither owns nor has exclusive rights to use a general, unstylized computer power button icon.'
The letter also addressed Best Buy's concerns over the TV ad, saying that it doesn't constitute trade disparagement, but is merely a "comedic, tongue-in-cheek take" on a commonly understood customer experience. "[It] does not name, identify or focus on any particular retailer, and we believe that the actor portraying the salesperson is not 'slovenly' in any way," Newegg said.
But to make amends and not offend Best Buy and its employees, Newegg edited its TV spot with a disclaimer saying that the photoplay is a work of fiction, and that no animals were harmed in the making of the controversial commercial.

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Newegg has shown through it's sales and prices just how good they are. The reviews happen to be there, and the weight of them shine through now.
I am a geek, I live, breathe, eat, sleep, work computers, so the commerical is correct.
But one rare occasions, Best Buy will have sale on a product that you may want to buy.
Simple economics would show that the company would go out of business if it is indeed like it is portrayed on these comment boards and in that commercial. Not all Sales associates and Geek Squad agents are great, but not all are mediocre either.
As far as infringing upon the trademark? Well, technically I do believe it is infringing, as they are the same industry, using the same colors, and a similar symbol trying to push the same product. Don't defend Newegg trying to capitalize on Geek Squad's name brand - Apple, AT&T and others have sued less obvious rip offs.
Yeah, sure you will... You probably wrote this comment from one of the demo computers at Best Buy. "pure awesomeness" - really? What is this, 2005, or are you 9 years old?
Also the one comment I'd like to address. 200$ is for their diagnostic AND repair service. I have no idea what kind of show that guys manager/supervisor is running if they were charging you that just to diag it, which by the way is the same price as fry's 70 bucks. I guess this goes to my point that clearly there are some bad apples, but like I guess everyone wants to jump on the "cool" train and bash any employees of a successful company.
p.s. I bet you'd feel a lot different if you were the one who was smart enough to be making millions now for creating geeksquad or bestbuy, I know I would =)
Oh and PRICE! As certain hardware prices decrease at Newegg as manafacturer's lower their price BB price remains at the release price...even years later...for example video cards.
BB is a retailer of products just like Lowes and Home Depot with I deal with alot in my line of work...folks know your stuff before walking in the door and don't expect alot of help if you need it. You will find a an employee every now and then that knows his stuff but this is rare. BB's Geek Squad is a freaking joke and why they have their panties in a bunch over this is beyond me.
You have to know newegg and other reasonable retailers (online or otherise) have taken away some serious market share from BestBuy. I can't see Bestbuy being in business too much longer selling suckers $100 6' Monster HDMI cables and $50 4GB SD cards.
They can't even compete any longer with Amazon, Newegg, or Microcenter. A downward spiral. They had their day, but it's gone.
Best Buy is in the same realm as Apple, in terms of technology knowledge. Both companies are posers whom market towards the technology inclined and retard individuals - whom may I add, choose to be that way. No one forces them to be so willfully ignorant and stupid. They choose to not take an hour of time to read and learn.