VCMDWA at loggerheads with Intel

Nagpur-based Vidarbha Computer and Media Dealers' Welfare Association (VCMDWA)
has served a legal notice to IT major Intel Technology (India) for misusing its
trademark. The association, which ranked third in the DQC-IDC best IT
associations survey, has demanded a compensation of Rs 15 lakh from the company
for the damage caused.

Every year VCMDWA holds its IT event Comp-Ex. This time the event was held
from Jan 11 to 12 in Nagpur and saw a footfall of 1.5 lakh visitors. While
traditionally Intel has been participating in Comp-Ex this year the major
avoided participation citing lack of funds. According to Prashant Ugemuge,
President, VCMDWA, Intel has used the association's name in advertisements run
by it in a few newspapers, despite the fact that they refused to participate in
the event. “We would have loved to be associated with Intel, but the company has
taken us for granted and used our goodwill to lure customers, without seeking
prior permission from our side,” lamented Ugemuge.

To make matters worse, in the advertisement Intel also published the names of
participating dealers.

Of these names some were not even Intel distributor. “All limits were crossed
when Intel put up their stand at the event, without seeking official permission
from VCDMA,” said Ugemuge.

However, when contacted, an Intel spokesman said that they were not aware of
any such developments.