PABC,
HSBC clash over logo
PABC Bank, formerly Pan Asia Bank, has got into a dispute with the
multi-national HSBC over the use of a new logo. PABC Bank, after
its facelift last October, has sent a new logo for registration
to the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO), after HSBC
complained to the Central Bank about the similarities of the logo
to its own.
"We
have reported about this to the relevant authorities (Central Bank)
and also to PABC," an HSBC official said. HSBC is now awaiting
a response from them. "Anyone can use a logo without registering,
but if there is an issue, priority will be given to the company
which has a registered logo," a senior official at the NIPO
said.
Analysts
said the two logos have a stark resemblance to each other and may
serve to elevate PABC's image in the market. A senior official at
PABC vehemently denied the accusation about the similarities saying
that, if at all, the resemblance may be due to the colours.
Both
the banks have red and white colours in their logos. "The colours
are 'generic' and no one can own colours," he said, adding
that any firm can use these colours.
Marketing
analysts said the logos are so similar that HSBC customers can be
misled. However, HSBC said since they have a long history in the
country this is not likely with the existing customers, but new
customers could be affected.
"The
company logo has been in the country for more than a decade, and
HSBC is well established, but there is a threat in acquiring new
customers," the HSBC official said.
PABC
refutes this as well. "HSBC mainly caters to the 'elite' class,"
the PABC official said, explaining that there is a very slim chance
of these customers mistaking PABC for HSBC due to the colours.
He
also denied that new customers will be misled, saying "yet
again the new segments are also elite with a high brand awareness."
PABC logo has a red globe with two red arrows at either side facing
outward, in a white background.
"The
arrows depict two doors portraying opening the doors of the globe
to the customers," the official said. HSBC has an elongated
red hexagon which is an agglomeration of three symbols that signify
the national flag of Scotland to portray the Scottish origin of
its founder Thomas Sutherland, the red colour symbolising China,
and the triangles at the side symbolising the bank being "open
for business". |