Tag: Domestic

E-BOX is condemned for damaging La Poste and counterfeit

Posted by | Mar 31, 2008 | |

La Poste initiated a legal action against E-Box on 6 June 2006 and requested the cancellation of trade marks arguing the similarity to La Poste brands and claiming it could create confusion to the consumers. La Poste also requested EUR 215,000 for compensation.

In response, E-BOX replied claiming that La Poste has unfair competition and abuse of dominant position for the realization of the self service project 24/7 proposed by EBOX from 2001 to 2004 (in partnership with La Poste). E-BOX also requested EUR 2 million for compensation.

The brands subject to the legal actions were presented to the pertinent French authorities after the promulgation of the postal law in May 2005 which created the ARCEP organization (French postal regulator).

E-BOX considers that the simultaneity of the action forces in justice against E-BOX and the launch of CITYSSIMO (www.cityssimo.fr) in 2006 (automatic delivery of parcels of La Poste) is not a coincidence.

On 11 March 2008, after 2 years of legal procedures, the Court of Justice issued its decision (This sentence is provisional since one of the parts can still appeal):

The tribunal:

– Condemns E-BOX for counterfeiting by imitation of the following brands: ’agence postale rapide ebox’’, agence postale jaune’’, agence postale orange’’,’’agence postale erte’’, ‘’point poste jaune’’, ‘’point poste orange’’, and ‘’point poste vert’’. E-BOX must pay to La Poste EUR 20,500.

– Declares inadmissible the counterclaim of EBOX against La Poste

In revenge the tribunal:

– Don’t approve the nullity of the ’agence postale rapide e-box’’ brand
– Declares the validity of the following E-BOX brands: ‘’post ebox’’, “e-box, l’ autre poste’’, et ‘’e-box, une autre idée de la poste’’.

E-BOX is not going to appeal to this sentence due to the lack of financial resources.

In 2006, E-BOX in a context of opening to the competition of the postal markets, several times nominated to “World Mail Awards” for IT innovation, nourished a legitimate ambition of development of its concept of fast station and self-service service 24/7.

After 2 years of legal process, E-BOX:

– Stopped the exploitation of the first point French automated parcel on October 30, 2007
– Proposes the dismissal of the full time employees
– Presents negative Capital stocks at the end of 2007 in spite of a strong capitalization (EUR 1.680.000).

E-BOX will call to a General Meeting at the end of April 2008 to discuss the possibility to declare the company in bankruptcy.

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TNT drives to top of Britain's best employers list

Posted by | Mar 31, 2008 | |

TNT, which employs 1,800 people in the county and has its UK headquarters in Atherstone, features in a line up of the finest employers in the land in a new book that highlights best practice in human resources management.

The book, entitled ‘Britain’s Top Employers 2008’, published last week, follows months of assessments by global independent research experts the Corporate Research Foundation (CRF).

TNT ranks alongside some of the leading brands in Britain’s business world including household names such as Cadbury Schweppes, Innocent, Asda and the John Lewis Partnership.

Not only did TNT feature in the list of more than 70 top UK companies, it also received a special award from CRF for Sustained HR Excellence.

The Corporate Research Foundation’s judging panel rated each company on nine defined categories: Pay and benefits; Career development; Leadership; Company culture and style; Knowledge management; Employee Relations; Recruitment strategies; Diversity; Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Following the rigorous assessment from the researchers, marks were awarded in each category and TNT’s performance was particularly strong in the areas of career development, employee relations and CSR.

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Government review – Postwatch initial response (UK)

Posted by | Mar 31, 2008 | |

Postwatch has submitted its answers to the first 19 questions posed by the independent review panel appointed by the Government.

The review panel’s terms of reference are to:

• assess the impacts to date of liberalization of the UK postal services market, including on the Royal Mail, alternative carriers and consumers;

• explore trends in future market development and the likely impact of these on Royal Mail, alternative carriers and consumers; and

• consider how to maintain the universal service obligation in the light of trends and market developments identified.

In her covering letter Millie Banerjee CBE, Chair of Postwatch, made the following points:

• The review is timely and welcome.

• Royal Mail has a dominant influence on the future of the UK’s postal industry. Postwatch is encouraged that Royal Mail acknowledges the need both for a far greater customer focus and for a fundamental change in its internal culture. Postwatch believes these to be huge tasks that will require little less than a revolution in Royal Mail’s thinking and approach.

• The needs and interests of its customers must be factored in at every point of Royal Mail’s transformation plan.

• Declining mail volumes are a major challenge but must not be used an excuse for declining customer service and lack of investment. Instead Royal Mail should be reinvigorating the mail market to make it an attractive medium for advertising and fulfilment delivery.

• A financially healthy, customer focused, efficient Royal Mail is required if the UK’s postal industry is to thrive. Postcomm, as economic regulator, must ensure that its regime provides real incentives for this to happen.

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The Department of Posts (India) stamps out French connect in parcel entity

Posted by | Mar 29, 2008 | |

The Department of Posts ( DoP) has objected to the plans of GeoPost—French state-run postal services utility La Poste’s subsidiary—to acquire a controlling 60 pct stake in Indian express parcel delivery firm Continental Air Express. The proposal, formally rejected by the foreign investment promotion board (FIPB), could set a precedent, given that the India Post Office Act is in the process of being amended and one proposal calls for a FDI cap in Indian courier companies.

As per global regulations, an operator seeking to establish an Extraterritorial Office Of Exchange (ETOE), i.e. a postal services operation overseas, needs to get an ‘agreement’ from the respective member of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). This means that GeoPost would need an okay from Indian authorities as India is a UPU member.

Currently, FDI up to 100pct is allowed in courier services for carrying packages, parcels and other items that do not come under the ambit of the India Post Office Act. While the FDI policy does not draw a distinction between investment made by a foreign private firm and a foreign government-owned entity, DoP’s prime objection in this case is with respect to La Poste’s move to circumvent UPU regulations.

GeoPost had argued that it is a separate La Poste business that focuses on premium parcels and hence, UPU obligations do not apply. Moreover, its operations in other countries have not triggered such disputes with local operators. GeoPost had also cited DHL’s example, wherein the majority stake is held by Germany’s Deutsche Post, which is also a UPU member, but is operating in India.

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Singapore Post Limited and Prudential Asset Management (Singapore) Limited launch Asian property securities fund

Posted by | Mar 28, 2008 | |

Singapore Post Limited (“SingPost”) and Prudential Asset Management (Singapore) Limited (“PAM Singapore”) today announced that they have launched a new fund, International Opportunities Funds (“IOF”) – Asian Property Securities. The fund aims to make 1 pct payout every quarter1,2 for Class Fd Shares. The offer period starts today, 28 March 2008. The fund is exclusive to SingPost customers and is available at selected post offices. This initiative is the result of the growing partnership between SingPost which took root in November 2006. With the latest addition, the range of investment products under SingPost’s “Care for Life” portfolio has grown even more comprehensive. IOF – Asian Property Securities invests primarily in listed closed-ended Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and property related securities of companies, which are incorporated, listed in or have their areas of primary activities in Asia Pacific, which includes Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The fund may also invest in depository receipts [including American Depository Receipts (ADRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs)], debt securities convertible into common shares, preference shares and warrants.

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