Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/02/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ray, I think I met 'Mr Voigtlander' in Germany at Photokina, his name is Jurgen Sprung and, rather poetically I thought, he worked for Voigtlander many years ago. His card says 'vertriebsleiter' which might clarify exactly what his position is, but within Ringfoto, the company who bought the rights to the Voigtlander brandname, he is charge of Voigtlander. Certainly his concern for the Voigtlander brand couldn't have been placed in better hands and I would consider that Ringfoto would be most pleased with the results of their relationship with Cosina. I'm unaware of what Cosina would pay them for the license to use the Voigtlander brandname but I suspect that when the time comes fro renegotiation they will be even happier! I think the use of the designation, 'Voigtlander, Germany' is Cosina taking as much as they can from their license. Patently the lenses are not made there but Voigtlander orignated there, so therefore, 'Voigtlander, Germany' is where Voigtlander were, and still are, in as much as a name can be anywhere! Cosina are just maximising what they can get out of buying the right to use the name, as any business would. Misleading to none but the extremely naive. Talking about the success of the Voigtlander to others yesterday at 'Focus' I was left with the impression that predominant sales are in Europe and the US distribution is less than satisfactory. Can U.S. luggers clarify who imports the brand and what their presence is on the marketing scene? Jem - -----Original Message----- From: ray tai [SMTP:razerx@netvigator.com] Sent: 27 February 2001 15:54 Cosina may not have connections to Germany (as far as I can assume) but the Voigtlander brand certainly does and this is what matters. I don't know the current legal status of the Voigtlander brand and who owns the various intellectual property rights but you can be sure that whoever it is will not let its goodwill diminish out of history, passion or profit. Anyway I think we are talking about different things. Perhaps it is in poor taste to include "Germany" in the packaging but don't assume it was all Cosina's doing. Ray