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The legal dispute between Compass Maps and Geocenter has been settled. The two companies have now agreed to collaborate and produce a series of 50 co-branded Berlitz PopOut Maps to be published this autumn.
Compass launched legal proceedings against Berlitz's distributor Geocenter in April last year, 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.
Andy Riddle, managing director of Compass Maps and Footprint Books, said: "We are delighted to have found a solution that will enhance both companies’ positions in this market. Bringing together PopOut Maps with the strengths of the Berlitz brand and GeoCenter’s distribution will be a powerful combination and we are looking forward to working together."
The new range will comprise of updated PopOut mapping, created by Compass and distributed by GeoCenter under the Berlitz brand.
Ian MacDonald, director of GeoCenter International, said: "Creating something new together is the best way forward and I am only too pleased that Compass and GeoCenter have become partners, rather than opponents."
Along with the new series of books Geocenter will also sell the rest of the PopOut Map range on behalf of Compass and are now sales agents for Footprint, the sister company of Compass.