From Genghis to Louis
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How locals may look carrying LV bags |
Although Mongolia is best known as the home of bloodthirsty warriors who terrorised Europe in the Middle Ages, luxury goods companies are hoping that its citizens will now show the more refined side of their character by embracing their brands.
Louis Vuitton became the latest to open a store in the capital Ulaanbaatar in October last year. Ermenegildo Zegna, Burberry and Hugo Boss will follow in 2010.
As a follower of the fortunes of luxury brands, Utynam is pleased that they have found new sales opportunities after the global slump lowered demand in established markets such as Japan, where Versace closed its Tokyo store last year.
Louis Vuitton's north-east Asian expansion has also been welcomed by a leading European law firm touting Mongolia as the next big destination for overseas investors. The author of an email circular from the firm applauds the opening of the LV store as proof that "Mongolia has come of age and joined the global market for sophisticated high fashion".
But while would-be investors will be able to stock up on fancy luggage, they will have other challenges to face: the author notes that "few high quality restaurant chains have arrived, and a good cup of coffee is a difficult item to find on an icy winter's morning in Ulaanbaatar". Utynam is worried for this intrepid lawyer and hopes that, where Louis Vuitton leads, an international coffee shop chain will surely follow.
Bolt's special gift
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Usain Bolt |
Utynam is always happy to share firms' good news about having won new clients, especially when they involve celebrity actors, pop stars and athletes. So he was interested to learn from Chinese firm Kangxin that it was asked by a Jamaican law firm to provide trade mark searching services in China for sprinting phenomenon Usain Bolt.
In the latest issue of its in-house update, the firm recounts the challenges of prosecuting marks for the man nicknamed the Lightning Bolt, given short deadlines, time differences and temperamental technology. In the end, however, the team at Kangxin managed to file a priority application and challenge some dodgy registrations, prompting Bolt's Jamaican lawyers to send the Chinese firm a signed photo of Usain Bolt and a New Year card which reads: "To Kangxin Partners. Thanks to all the team!"
Utynam was particularly pleased to hear about the morale-boosting impact this had: "This special gift expressed Mr. Bolt's gratitude and approval of our work," says the Kangxin newsletter. "Such encouragements push us to work to consistently provide superior service to our clients." Corporate clients around the world may be advised to get some signed photos prepared.
Better than the real thing?
While brand owners never like fakes, they do like news that container loads of them have been seized by law enforcement officials. So many of them will have been cheered by an announcement from Italian police that they had discovered an enormous stash of counterfeit clothes, shoes and handbags in eight industrial hangars outside of Rome.
But they may not have been quite as pleased by comments made by the police about the quality of the impounded goods. As Utynam is frequently told by brand owners, consumers should avoid buying knock-offs for a range of reasons – not least their shabby quality. So he was intrigued to hear that police officials had described the fakes as being of "amazing" quality. Oh dear.
USPTO jobs: apply within
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The USPTO building |
As part of a plan to add 1,000 patent examiners to its workforce over the next financial year, the USPTO's human resources team has gone into overdrive. Last month it sent out letters, signed by IP Office chief David Kappos, to patent attorneys and former patent examiners urging them to consider a career with the USPTO.
In his plea for professional IP help, Kappos highlighted some of the perks of working at the USPTO, including a gym, child-care centre, "excellent dining and recreational activities nearby" and the Office's renowned teleworking programme, which allows qualified examiners to work from home.
But it seems that some of those who have received the letter are far from enthused by the thought of a move to Virginia, according to comments posted under a copy of the correspondence published on the Patently O blog.
"I'd go back if they made me a director. I would even examine half time! What a deal. But no, I bet anything that they would throw you in the poorly classified business method art, and start you out at a paltry GS-11 position. Ha ha ha ha," wrote one cynical poster.
But Utynam's favourite comment was a response to a far keener would-be examiner looking for more information about the USPTO's hiring process.
"In about 14 months, maybe more, your employment application will be rejected by HR. You'll have 3 months to request reconsideration. If your application is accepted, a second set of eyes will review your application anew, your job offer will be withdrawn, and the person that gave you the offer will be fired. Job application fees will be initiated, then raised."
