(Updated 8:43 p.m.) Italian brand Tonino Lamborghini has disowned the Globe Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini 4G broadband stick offered by the telecom firm in the Philippines, saying they are "counterfeited product[s]."
In a press statement which circulated on social networking site Twitter on Wednesday, the company said it neither manufactured nor "authorized any company to manufacture such a product."
The company said that Globe's move to brand its 4G wireless broadband stick as a "Tonino Lamborghini" product "constitutes a serious trademark infringement."
Globe Telecom, on the other hand, maintained that it was authorized to use the Tonino Lamborghini brand.
‘Deceitful, unlawful’
Tonino Lamborghini explained that Globe's advertising campaign depicting Formula racer Marlon Stockinger and brandishing the slogan "Feed your need for speed" is misleading, "deceitful and unlawful."
"[The campaign] leads to a serious likelihood between two different and separate brands and businesses that is to say 'Tonino Lamborghini' and 'Automobili Lamborghini'," it said.
Tonino Lamborghini is a luxury merchandise brand which sells non-automotive goods. It was founded by the son of Ferrucio Lamborghini, the founder of Automobili Lamborghini, the world-renowned luxury car company.
Tonino Lamborghini said it shall take any legal action against the local telco firm to protect its brand.
Authorization obtained
In a statement, Globe Telecom said it obtained authorization to use the name and logo of Tonino Lamborghini through an agreement with Primo Mobile, the master franchisor of mobile phone related products for the Italian brand.
“Primo Mobile is a Singapore-based company that has a master license agreement with Tonino Lamborghini s.r.l. and is duly authorized to sub-license the use of the Lamborghini logo. The design of the Globe Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini 4G USB sticks was reviewed and approved by Primo Mobile," Globe said.
“Globe Telecom assures the public of its strong adherence and commitment to the highest ethical standards in business and good corporate governance. The company will not engage in any activity that will mislead the public in the course of doing business and serving its customers," the company added.
Globe launched its Tonino Lamborghini 4G broadband stick in June and touted it as the fastest wireless broadband solution in the country, capable of running speeds of up to 10Mbps. — with Paterno Esmaquel II/TJD/KBK, GMA News
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