DomPost threatens over use of brand

By ELLEN READ

The Dominion Post has been bought - the postal logistics company, that is.

Kapiti entrepreneur Gregg Nelson bought it - and a registered trademark for Dominion Post and web addresses dominionpost.co.nz and thedominionpost.co.nz

It is those names that are causing him a few headaches and have brought threats of legal action from the Dominion Post newspaper.

Nelson plans to have his Dominion Post running by the end of March.

There are to be three divisions: a national courier post franchise network, third-party logistics software, and the supply of new and used cars and commercials to the courier, postal and logistics businesses.

Progress hasn't been easy with some banks fearing repercussions over the brand name row.

Nelson said the newspaper was "saying it's their mark and that they demanded that we give it back".

He has no intention of doing so, as both companies have trademark rights to use the name.

Nelson bought the company from Lorraine Clark, who had been working on the business plans under the Dominion Post brand before the newspaper announced its new name.

Both firms applied for the trademark brands the same day - after the newspaper announced its intended new name and Clark decided to protect her work.

The newspaper received trademarks to use the name for publications and printed matter while Nelson's company can apply it to its postal logistics operations - and also has rights to the internet name. The newspaper uses www.dompost.co.nz.

"We've tried very hard to work with them," said Nelson. "We just want to operate our business."