Copycats can land you in wrong place at right time
Be it a food joint, a hotel, a banquet hall, a school or a hospital, the name or trademark of the product or an organisation is a matter of utmost importance. Many consult astrologers and religious leaders before deciding on the name for their venture. An auspicious day is chosen and the project is launched.
But many take the easy way out. They follow the brand leader and name their products or outlets by making slight changes in the trademark of a famous brand. The imitators are clever enough to make minor changes in the popular brand of clothes, food products, watches and sunglasses by adding an inconspicuous suffix or prefix to hoodwink the trademark law.
During childhood, on our visits to my maternal grandparents’ house in Yamunanagar, we used to stop at Ambala to have a bite at Pooran Singh dhaba. But now whenever I happen to pass through the city, I’m at my wits’ end. So many eateries by the name of Pooran Singh dhaba have cropped up that one can’t tell the original from the rest.
Similarly, in the days of yore we had a popular sweet shop by the name of Sharma Sweets in Amritsar. Mouthwatering gulab jamun and jalebi were the favourite with local residents and tourists alike. But now we have an entire lane lined with sweet makers that go by the name of Sharma Sweets! On top of that, each claims to be the original, and authentic, Sharma Sweets. Forget the puzzled tourists, even locals can’t tell the original from the rest.
The list of copycats having a field day and cashing in on the popularity of brands is endless. No one seems to mind the competition as long as imitators keep offering incentives to lure gullible customers but sometimes the similarity of names can land one in an awkward situation.
Recently, I was invited to attend a wedding at a resort on the city’s outskirts. The resort had an imitator that had copied the concept and theme of the original. Only the suffix in the name had been changed from banquets to farms. This led to a mix-up and we were at the wrong place at the right time.
Though huge photographs of the couple were displayed at the entrance, there was no mention of the name of the couple or their parents. As I was just a formal acquaintance of the father of the bride, I wasn’t able to recognise her or the groom. I along with my wife was welcomed warmly by an elderly couple whom we took as the parents of my friend. Enthusiastic photographers swiftly photographed us along with the hosts before letting us in.
Once inside the arena of festivity, I was startled to see liquor flowing freely because my friend was a teetotaller. On failing to locate my friend even after downing two cappuccinos, I grew suspicious. I tried calling him up but there was no response.
Then I decided to corner a gentleman with a glass full of wine and share my apprehension. He lost no time in confirming my fears and advised me to enjoy the party and forget about the mix-up. But we decided otherwise. Once out of the resort, we heaved a sigh of relief and headed to be a part of the second celebration in a single evening, courtesy skilful imitators.
ONCE INSIDE THE ARENA OF FESTIVITY, I WAS STARTLED TO SEE LIQUOR FLOWING FREELY BECAUSE MY FRIEND WAS A TEETOTALLER. ON FAILING TO LOCATE MY FRIEND EVEN AFTER DOWNING TWO CAPPUCCINOS, I GREW SUSPICIOUS.