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Sysco Technology, a private British Columbia corporation, was founded in 1999 with the goal of providing complete, affordable computer technology solutions, from one source, to small- and medium-size businesses. Products and services included computer systems, networking solutions and website design. |
The brand “SYSCO TECHNOLOGY”
however, proved to grow too strong, too soon, for its own good. In October 2000, Sysco Corporation, a Fortune top 100 American marketer of foodservice products that was
expanding in
Canada, challenged Sysco Technology’s use of trademarks or business names “SYSCO” and later commenced proceedings in the Federal Court of Canada.
The challenge was altogether unexpected, given that Sysco Technology
was a legally registered company. This litigation was settled in August 2001. The agreement was signed by Mamood Gouneili, President of Sysco Technology, and Kent Berk, Assistant Vice President of Sysco Corporation. Under the settlement, neither party admitted any liability or wrongdoing.
The question, however, still remains: Why should a large American company challenge
a young
Canadian company in the first place, when the latter quite clearly
had the right to use its name and
when Sysco Technology wasn't even in the same market as Sysco
Corporation?
The trademark challenge targeting Sysco Technology isn't the
only time Sysco Corporation has been involved in a trademark dispute.
In 1997 Sysco Corporation attempted to establish its right to a name
being used by a Michigan pizza maker, although the latter had a
federal trademark for the name. After a lengthy battle, the
independent pizza maker prevailed.
So what's with the Sysco Technology name? Our name derives from SYStem and COmputer and is the best reflection of who we are. |
