Monthly Archives: April 2020

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RCH’s partnership with Jeunes Restaurateurs d’Europe (JRE) to help develop the cash desks of the future

TREVISO, Italy, 2020-Apr-29 — /EPR Retail News/ — RCH continues to champion the highest level of restaurateurism by forming an alliance with Jeunes Restaurateurs d’Europe (JRE), one of the world’s most prestigious culinary institutes. This alliance will see JRE integrating the RCH brand into their social media and press statements, along with presence on the website and JRE annual guide.

In return, and in recognition that the creativity of gastronomy needs to be supported by effective business practices, RCH will be engaging in a range of collaborative activities with JRE to help encourage and develop the next generation of chefs and restaurateurs, both in terms of the creative and commercial ambitions. This will include both event sponsorship and product support.

JRE, one of the most prestigious culinary organisations in the world, brings together young Restaurateurs and Chefs who share their talent and passion for food with likeminded people. Founded in 1974 in France, JRE is now active in 16 countries with 350 affiliated restaurants and is looking to expand on a global scale. With over 180 Michelin stars and 4,000 Gault&Millau points between them, members of JRE combine a love of creativity and innovation with a respect for local products and tradition.

The key slogan for JRE is the idea of ‘never-ending passion’, and this closely echoes the mentality that RCH seeks to embody within their product range. In developing cash register systems for a number of industries, RCH seeks to get deeply involved in the intricacies of their clients’ operations – understanding how the EPOS process impacts the full business model, and not merely the cash-taking elements of operation.

Resultantly, RCH have developed products – such as the ATOS range – which are perfectly positioned to augment restaurant operations on nearly every level. Not only are RCH systems deisgned to compliment the aesthetics of the dining environment, but they also provide levels of data analysis that can completely revolutionise the entire restaurant process; from menu design and purchase, to wastage control, to Customer Relationship Management (CRM), to full financial/taxation conformance, and beyond.

A key aspect of the partnership with JRE will be RCH’s endeavours to develop parts of their ATOS system to specifically compliment the needs of JRE. In this way, RCH is able to develop a long-lasting, committed relationship with JRE, providing mutual benefits: RCH gains knowledge not just of existing market trends that could be integrated into future product updates, but the progressive, creative innovations that JRE are at the forefront of. Similarly, JRE are able to integrate top-level commercial technologies into their operations – significantly improving the efficiency of their booking and reservations processes, along with a whole host of other benefits.

Fillipo Saporito, President JRE Italy, says of the partnership: “When my wife and I opened the ‘La Leggenda dei Frati’ restaurant in 2002, the first big goal was to be part of this big family. Today I am proud to be the leader of this family, and I do so with commitment and passion, giving my deepest thanks to all of the partners who join us, and echo our own sense of passion and dedication.”

Stefano de Pra, President & CEO of RCH Group SpA, adds his own insight, stating that “It would be tempting to draw from our Italian roots as reason for why we are so committed to the forwardance of the restaurant community through our partnership with JRE – the Italians of course being famed for their exceptional cuisine. But in reality RCH is an international operation, and JRE has an international reach”. De Pra continues: “A love of good food is the language of every culture, not just ours. This collaboration sees us not just supporting upcoming restaurateurs, but benefiting from their verve, determination, insight and creativity to help us develop the cash desks of the future.”

RCH looks forward to developing its first collaborative event with JRE. Until then, it wishes all operators within the restaurant trade the best of luck and keep being inspired by passion.

More information about RCH Group Spa is available at http://www.rch-group.com/

About JRE
Jeunes Restaurateurs (JRE) is an association of young chefs in Europe which has been breathing new and fresh life to the culinary arts since 1974, in keeping with their slogan “Never-ending passion.” In doing so, JRE combines cuisine of the very highest standard with the courage to introduce innovations to the culinary tradition of the respective region. Jeunes Restaurateurs has restaurants in 16 European countries – around 80 of them in Germany alone. These include establishments run by famous chefs known from TV, such as Alexander Herrmann and Cornelia Poletto. More info to be found here: https://www.jre.eu/

SOURCE: EuropaWire

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Virgin adds to VIRGINIC case new groundless litigation against 3 more small startups

MIAMI, Florida , U.S.A., 2020-Apr-29 — /EPR Retail News/ — Sir Richard Branson and his Virgin Group do not trade in… Virgins! Furthermore the word ‘virgin’ is itself a common word and an arbitrary one when used in connection to Virgin’s various business pursuits. For context purposes, here’s some more fun with trademarking Apple.

The word itself, Apple, is a common word and contrary to popular belief it is possible to trademark a common word. This is allowed because the word is arbitrary when used in connection to the manufacturer of iPhones and computers etc. Apple doesn’t sell apples, and neither does the Apple Rubber Co and many others who also own the trademark to the word ‘Apple.’ Multiple companies can own the trademark to the same common word, as long as the products they sell aren’t so similar that they cause confusion for consumers.

In spite of being a globally recognized brand, Virgin is currently pursuing a court case against a small online beauty company named VIRGINIC LLC, attempting to force them to close their store and demanding a hand over of their website domains and social media accounts to Virgin Group.

VIRGINIC LLC is a startup with a visionary desire to keep creating chemical-free, allergy-free, raw face cream formulas, for the direct benefit of an organic-minded female consumer. VIRGINIC brand name is to recall beyond-organic level of purity with no chemical additives and a holistic approach to ethical and all natural sourcing. Their production practices are mindful of protecting the planet through sustainable packaging materials and supporting local farming for ingredients sourcing. Yes, they are lovely people with an ethos that we can all support as it’s hard not to.

As for Virgin, they don’t sell cosmetics currently and neither do they have any intention to do so in future. From our common sense lesson in trademark law this should be an open and shut case, should it not? It seems crystal clear that two companies selling completely different products with names using a common word in an arbitrary manner, no virgins being sold, should both have the right to trademark that word.

Or in this case an invented word similar to that word, it would be like Apple vs Appleic. What’s more in the UK where this case started 2 years ago, a quick search reveals many companies trading under the word ‘Virgin’ offering various services. They’re able to do so for the reasons already stated above.

So why would Virgin target a small startup that doesn’t even use the name “virgin” and doesn’t trade in phones, planes and spaceships but natural face creams? It appears to be nothing more than pure speculative spitefulness by certain lawyers needing to justify their retainer and earn exorbitant fees from their client.

One can almost imagine those lawyers idly examining new trademark applications looking for marks that look somewhat similar to their client’s, no matter how tenuous the connection and salivating over the thought of the juicy fees to follow.

This sort of behavior is no better than the ‘ambulance chaser’ stereotype that looms large in the public’s imagination. In fact, under common law there was historically an offence referred to as ‘barratry’ referring to people who are “overly officious in instigating or encouraging prosecution of groundless litigation” or who bring “repeated or persistent acts of litigation” for the purposes of profit or harassment. Sadly for VIRGINIC, this is no longer an offense in England and Wales. Now the turn is for the US court system to judge on the merits vs manipulative discourse of Virgin’s lawyers justifying their retainers.

Some of the investigative journalists following VIRGINIC case point out that the actual litigation is indeed pointless and harassing in nature. Furthermore it is destructive and punitive. VIRGINIC was already denied the appeal in UK, Virgin got paid £35,000 but since that wasn’t enough, Virgin’s lawyers proceeded to open more lawsuits against VIRGINIC in more countries, including countries where VIRGINIC doesn’t trade.

VIRGINIC refused to commit business suicide and close the shop, just because Virgin said so. Virgin’s lawyers responded by opening personal lawsuits against key employees and managers of VIRGINIC in both US and UK, using an alter ego theory as a legal crutch. In David vs Goliath cases, a big corporation can starve a small company financially to death, break their spirit by forcing them to give up simply because a small company is no longer able to afford piling up legal fees (in this case internationally) – a common tactic of a common bully.

Virgin opened personal lawsuits against shocked and distressed key employees and managers of VIRGINIC calling them in Wyoming court an “alter ego” of VIRGINIC company itself. When VIRGINIC and its management heroically kept refusing to be destroyed, more personal lawsuits were opened in the court of England.

VIRGINIC stated on their website that they felt it was morally wrong to close the business and stop making natural cosmetics for people with allergies that asks for them every day, just because a multi-billion dollar attacker has such a wish. In response to that, Virgin’s lawyers just recently added to the ongoing lawsuit 3 unrelated to VIRGINIC start up companies (in both court of both Wyoming, US and London, England) – companies where VIRGINIC employees used to work based on same “alter ego” legal crutch theory, causing even greater surprise to all spectators and a real financial damage to other small entities that stated no connection to VIRGINIC.

VIRGINIC announced on their social media that directly due to high legal fees causing hardship to its business half of their employees had to be laid off. At the expense of a great personal toll to those individuals and at a great loss of human capital in general, Virgin is further magnifying the damage caused.

If any business case is the personification of vicious, pointless litigation that only serves to enrich overpaid lawyers then this is it. Let us hope that a fairytale ending lies in store for the good folks at VIRGINIC and their spirit of not giving up on their dream, with a deserved comeuppance for the villain of the piece.

SOURCE: EPR Network

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Strut through life in comfort with Accents Inserts

Emeryville, CA, U.S.A., 2020-Apr-29 — /EPR Retail News/ — Accents Inserts have been found to remove sweat bacteria from shoes. This buildup creates odor that is then spread onto shoes and feet. These insoles extract this accumulation from the soles of shoes preventing continued growth of bacteria. It is unhygienic when people continue reusing their shoes barefoot. Removing the sweat that holds the bacteria causing the smell is beneficial to ending this issue. Accents Inserts are patented replaceable shoe liners acting as a barrier designed to help people overcome their concern with having bacteria buildup and odor in their shoes.

Rachele Cazarez, Founder and CEO, expresses that, “This product will answer several issues we all face while going about our daily routines.” She points out that, “We all deal with the problems of sweat, bacteria and odor buildup in our shoes. Sweat also causes our feet to slide around in shoes and even squeak when we walk.” She goes on to state that, “These all cause discomfort and embarrassment.” She wants it noted that her invention has been designed with care and assembled with quality materials to combat growth of sweat, bacteria and odor in shoes.

The facts show that there are 250,000 sweat glands in the average pair of feet. These cause feet to excrete a half-pint of sweat per day. This then leads to bacteria and odor that increase in a shoe and multiply with each use. Having a barrier like Accents Inserts absorb these, which are then disposed of and replaced with a fresh pair, has been found to be a welcome answer to stopping this accumulation. Continued replacement of the shoe liners makes it feel like a clean new pair of shoes each time they are worn. Accents Inserts are leading people to look at a better answer to an age-old problem that affects everybody.

To learn more about Accents Inserts, click here: https://www.accentsinserts.com
They are available on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/accentsinserts

SOURCE: EPR Network

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Virgin Demands Small Cosmetic Company VIRGINIC Closes and Opens Lawsuits Against its Main Employees

New York, NY, 2020-Apr-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — One of the greatest challenges currently facing the business world is the relentless pursuit of ownership of brand names, logos, typefaces, slogans and even colors! The judiciary are constantly inundated with cases regarding the alleged illegal or improper use of any, or any combination, of these.

But how much of this is a waste of the court’s time? How often is a case being brought simply because an in-house legal beagle needs to justify their salary? How many cases are brought that should simply, in any real world of common sense, never make it out of the split second of foolishness of that very thought’s creator?

Now, the idea that somebody really believed it necessary to protect their idea/investment/invention by receiving confirmation that it was indeed theirs, does, of course, make some sense. Invent the perfect diet in the form of a single daily dose tablet and you should be able to protect that invention and make as much money as the marketplace deems it to be worth until somebody comes up with a way of simply breathing in the perfect diet, and your invention becomes worthless.

And there is, in and of itself, the answer to many of our questions, whether or not we really knew that we had them. Money. Without this fiendish instrument of perceived wealth, where would we be? Would anybody, anywhere ever need to know who invented something of great use to the general populous? Would anybody give you the pats on the back and the “attaboys” that your genius deserved? Well, maybe, and, more likely the case, maybe not.

But would you care? I mean, let’s be honest, if you honestly did all this just for the kudos, you wouldn’t have needed the patent application form in the first place, right? You did it for the money, as is your absolute right to do, and you are simply protecting your investment and the value that your invention has.

Trademarks are, however, a whole different ball game. Take the example of Odysseas Papadimitriou’s company trademark application for his WalletHub brand, a brand that offered a website able to compare various offers such as insurance, loans, mortgages etc. The trademark application for his logo, a white “W” set in a green square, was disputed by, of all things, Major League Baseball! The claim was that the MLB had not one but TWO similar logos that would be infringed upon were the application allowed. One of these is a logo that has not been used in baseball since 1960, the year that the Washington Nationals became the Minnesota Twins whilst the other is a flag that the Chicago Cubs fly in their stadium if they win!

How are either of these “uses” threatened in any way, financial or otherwise, by a website that offers financial documentation organization services? Are WalletHub suddenly getting calls from angry customers, unable to get seats for the game? Are the MLB getting calls asking for financial advice?

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the key to this whole mess…IS THE CONSUMER CONFUSED ABOUT WHO OR WHAT THEY ARE ENGAGING WITH FOR GOODS OR SERVICES? That is the acid test. That is the reason the law uses to justify its very existence. That is the fly in the inhouse legal beagle’s ointment…Can they PROVE that this brand confusion would exist?

A perfect example of this is the case of Virgin Group PLC v VIRGINIC LLC (you already see where this is going, right?!). VIRGINIC is a young start-up specializing in all-natural, organic beauty products. Not trains. Not planes. Not telephones.

In fact, not any product that is even similar to anything that the Virgin group does or even has ever produced. Clearly there can be no confusion here. But what’s that, I hear you cry? The name is similar? Surely name similarity is not enough. For example, Ford once manufactured a car called the Capri. Now we have the Capri Sun brand all over the world. Is there an issue? Are people buying juice boxes worried that they are made in a car factory? Of course they are not. That would be silly, wouldn’t it?!

VIRGINIC was dismissed by a judge in the UK at the THIRD time of asking, having already beaten Virgin’s trademark infringement case on two previous occasions.The virtue of the freedom of speech that we protect so rigorously, is not an objective virtue any more in the common legal sense, apparently.

For as long as there exists a particular judge able to be swayed by vague and ridiculous arguments, such as those employed by the Virgin lawyers, on a particular day, in a particular place, we will carry on down this absurd legal rabbithole, wasting both the time and money of the taxpayer and of both businesses in question, meanwhile doing nothing for the consumer other than limit their access to the products that they may actually wish to purchase.

And are those not the people that these very laws were enacted to protect in the first place?

Trademark case numbers (UK00003283156)