French-based telecommunications company Orange Telecom has taken to legal action in order to force the small Cape Town-based ICT outsourcing company Orange Business Services to change its name, in order to protect its brand.
According to Wikipedia, “known as Equant before June 2006, Orange Business Services is the entity within the France Télécom Group dedicated to global business telecommunications. Orange Business Services offers a range of managed services including WAN and LAN services, security, mobility, voice, video and consulting services in over 220 countries and territories with staff in 167 countries.”
The South African company provides a similar service, and according to their website, they provide infrastructure data cabling and voice over IP, enterprise management and ICT outsourcing.
Cape Town-based executive director Ashley Floris told IT Web that the company has been advised to adhere to Orange Telecom’s request, and that they are in the process of changing the company’s name to O365, which should be finalised in February next year.
“Orange Business Services received a letter from Orange’s local attorneys, Adams & Adams, about five months ago informing it that its use of the name infringed the French company’s trademark,” IT Web wrote.
Charlie Fripp – Acting Online editor
