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GeoCenter rebuffs 'groundless' threats

28.04.08

GeoCenter, distributor of Berlitz Pocket MapGuides in the UK, has accused Compass of making 'groundless' threats to its customers, after lawyers acting for Compass Maps last week wrote to booksellers instructing them to stop selling Pocket Maps by Berlitz.

Compass launched legal proceedings against Berlitz's parent company Geocenter this month, claiming that its branded Pocket Maps infringed the patent, design and copyright of its own "origami"-style PopOut Maps. Geocenter distributed the Compass maps in the UK for five years until parting company with Compass in 2005. Berlitz's product was launched in April 2006.

In a statement GeoCenter said that it believed that the claim brought by Compass was a response to the "self-inflicted wound by Compass and is a pressure tactic being pursued in order to regain market share including by the issue of groundless threats to GeoCenter's customers". The statement added: "GeoCenter is confident in its position and that its products are not infringing and therefore can lawfully be sold."

Compass lawyers Beechcroft sent a letter last Monday to all major booksellers stocking Berlitz's Pocket Maps, asking them to withdraw the products.

Ian MacDonald, sales and marketing director at Geocenter, which plans to formally dispute the Compass claim, said he was "astonished" that booksellers had been asked to withdraw the Berlitz maps ahead of any legal decision being made. "Quite frankly, I'm amazed that booksellers have been asked to do this, but I believe most will continue to sell our maps until there is a judgment. We didn't copy Compass when we brought out this product, and we've been selling it for over two years. Though you never know with these things, we're pretty confident we can successfully challenge this case. I would be surprised if this even went to court, because to do so would be very costly," he said.

GeoCenter said that it intended to defend the claim on the grounds that it was not infringing the patent and to counterclaim on the grounds of "invalidity". It said: "If GeoCenter is successful in this action, the claim brought by Compass for an injunction and damages will fail and furthermore the patent will not be enforceable in the UK by Compass."

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