Re: [Leica] Leica tightens dealer rules in Europe

[Lucien <lucien@ubi.edu>]

Out of the new Leica Camera AG's  "Letter to the Shareholders"

snip
The mesures introduced will take effect in the short term in
various product aeras...
snip
...and also the strengthening of the retail trade within the 
framework of a new partnership concept aimed at a more direct 
and improved approach towards the Leica customers.
snip

Is that the Leica translation of:

"Leica tightens dealer rules in Europe"
?!?

Lucien


>On Wed, 27 May 1998 13:20:54 +0200 Lucien wrote

>In UK "Amateur Photographer"23 may 1998  page 8 and 9

>Leica tightens dealer rules in Europe

>In a clampdown to protect its brand, Leica has
>issued photo dealers with an agreement form designed
>to stamp out "grey importing" of its cameras across Europe.
>Failure to sign means that dealers would cease to
>be official Leica stockists.

>What is known as the "PEDA" form has been sent out 
>by Leica to its usual dealers across Europe.
>PEDA stands for Pan European Dealers Association.
>All of the clauses within the agreement apply on a 
>pan-European basis, so for example, a UK dealer
>trying to sell to a European counterpart would
>cease to be an official dealer if they were found out.

>snip

>What all this means for the customer is that if you
>don't buy through one of the PEDA member you lose out
>on a number of benefits.
>These include  worldwide guarentee etc..

>snip

>In Leica's case, any of it' PEDA dealers would
>be highly unlikely to repair cameras wich came into
>the UK through unofficial channels.
>So, it's caveat emptor-buyer beware !

>snip and end

>No comment.

>Lucien


>Meino wrote:

>This would be very stupid for them, because it is violating EC rules.
>VW is now facing a very big (Multi billion) fine for doing the same 
>thing.



>In UK "Amateur Photographer" 23 may 1998  page 9

>The EU rules :

>Leica's PEDA agreement effectively seeks to be tighter than
>current import and export rules that apply to the Common Market
>in Europe. Generally manufacturers can do little if they've
>surrended rights or given a licence to distribute something 
>anywhere in Europe. Leica isn't doing this. It's being country
>specific and won't allow sales of its gear from European dealer
>to another.

>Any comments from a European law specialist ?

>Lucien