Telecoms

The Globe Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini mix-up

Q: Key Point 4: Primo Mobile Pte Ltd 51 Changi Business Park Central 2,...

Primo Mobile Pte Ltd 51 Changi Business Park Central 2, #08-13, The Signature, Singapore 486066 The company makes Tonino Lamborghini netbooks and mobile phones and markets it in Singapore.

Abe Olandres August 24, 2011 · 3 min read

Listen to article

HONOR Pad 20 unveiled HONOR 600 leak sparks buzz over possible Mercedes-Benz giveaway Infinix XBOOK B15 now official in PH Infinix XBOOK B14 now official in PH Apple and Google begin rolling out end-to-end encrypted RCS beta across platforms

Tonino Lamborghini published a press release yesterday claiming that Globe Telecom used the brand for their Tattoo stick without permission and labels the Tonino Lamborghini Tattoo as counterfeit product (see running updates at the bottom).

A copy of the press release by Tonino Lamborghini s.r.l. is posted below:

Globe Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini Stick

View more documents from yuga.

When Globe Telecom launched the Tonino Lamborghini Tattoo back in June, I asked them how much royalty they’re paying Tonino Lamborghini for the co-branding and they said it was a huge sum they can’t disclose.

As it turns out, there are two Lamborghini companies — the Tonino Lamborghini s.r.l. which makes a line of luxury watches and the Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A which is the Italian car manufacturer.

~~Looks like the Globe got the agreement with the watchmaker but used the logo of the car manufacturer.~~ Looks like Globe Telecom had an agreement with Automibili Lamborghini but used Tonino Lamborghini in the marketing materials.

If that’s the case, Globe should have named it Globe Tattoo Automobili Lamborghini or just Globe Tattoo Lamborghini would have been more proper. It’s likely someone from marketing or bizdev (and legal) is not familiar with brands.

I’ve reached out to contacts from Globe and they explained that this could be a mis-communication. They have legal papers and contracts stating that Globe is allowed to use the Tonino Lamborghini brand.

We’re waiting for the official response from Globe and a copy of that agreement.

Updated: Here’s the official statement of Globe Telecom we just obtained:

Globe Telecom obtained authorization to use the name and logo Tonino Lamborghini through an agreement with Primo Mobile, the master franchisor of mobile phone related products for the Italian brand Tonino Lamborghini.

Primo Mobile is a Singapore-based company that has a master license agreement with Tonino Lamborghini s.r.l. and is duly authorized to sub-license the use of the Tonino Lamborghini logo. The design of the Globe Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini 4G broadband stick was reviewed and approved by Primo Mobile.

Globe Telecom assures the public of its strong adherence and commitment to the highest ethical standards in business and good corporate governance. The company will not engage in any activity that will mislead the public in the course of doing business and serving its customers.

As it turns out, this could be just a mis-communication between Primo Mobile and Tonino Lamborghini s.r.l.

Primo Mobile Pte Ltd is an official licensee producing on behalf of Tonino Lamborghini SRL, and is a separate entity from Tonino Lamborghini SRL.

Primo Mobile Pte Ltd
51 Changi Business Park Central 2,
#08-13, The Signature,
Singapore 486066

The company makes Tonino Lamborghini netbooks and mobile phones and markets it in Singapore. I’ve actually met a rep back in 2010 during the Singapore PC Show where I saw the netbooks. Specifically, this one:

Primo Mobile’s approach to creating Tonino Lamborghini devices is more on the luxury and aesthetics side due to the reputation of the watch-maker.

Updated: Tonino Lamborghini comments on Primo Mobile’s trademark license (via FB):

Tonino Lamborghini Group wishes to clarify that Primo Mobile had been granted only a trademark license – neither a master license nor a master franchise – but such trademark license agreement was duly terminated by the licensor, Tonino Lamborghini s.r.l., some months ago. In any case, such trademark license agreement did not authorize Primo Mobile to sub-license the use of the Tonino Lamborghini trademark and logo.

Now this is interesting. Primo Mobile just screwed Globe.

React to this article:

globe tattoo tonino lamborghini

Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

7,991 Articles

View all posts by Abe Olandres →

130 Comments

cheap sundress · 12 years ago

You can also use the Wonder Hanger for belts, ties and other accessories.
Snowboarders, surfers and climbers exercising extreme sports know well that the high quality of gear should never be jeopardized.

Some of the slogans are Lucky Fcuk, Get a Good Fcuk, Fcuk Fashion and so on.

Chris · 15 years ago

I study at LSGH, junior, but i’m no longer part of the honors class. This tab thing in my opinion was a really stupid idea. I know at least one teacher against it and so she still requires her students to use the textbook. The other teachers as well haven’t incorporated the tablet yet in their lessons and so as of now the tablet is really just for games. No joke. And i feel that it sounds like LSGH is “offering” the tablet which means like..free but in fact no, the student has to pay P18 000. The students were under the impression that it was required so they all bought but it seems now they were told it’s actually just OPTIONAL :|

Angel · 15 years ago

Sharing the latest news about Globe Lamborghini http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=66&articleId=729222

Genericsman · 15 years ago

Only a moron thinks the decal matters with electronics…but perhaps there are enough morons willing to buy a sticker over a generic usb wifi dongle…

Carlos Jhunie · 15 years ago

Updated: Tonino Lamborghini comments on Primo Mobileâ€™s trademark license (via FB):

Where’s the FB link?

fritzie · 15 years ago

instead of using lamborghini, why don’t Globe use Filipino vehicles such as the jeepney, don’t battle on speed i guess, be proud like the jeep that you can go everywhere (worldwide web) thru that high speed stick. just a suggestion…

sylv3rblade · 15 years ago

That makes a lot of sense but unfortunately, that won’t fly in the marketing department :/

geogetski666 · 15 years ago

@fritzie
or they could use the mrt and lrt XD sobra traffic sa manila mas mabilis pa mga yan XD hehe

Gwapito · 15 years ago

Globe should have used Porsche, since it’s more popular than Lamborghini, I think.

globe user · 15 years ago

pangit ng globe broadband, gamit ko ngayon,tsk, 1 day unli daw, after naka 800mb ng data, napuputol na, bukas naman daw, tsk, buti nalang bigay lang sakin ito.

goodha · 15 years ago

double whammy kay globe if matalo sa legal issues. nagbayad na nga ng royalty kay primo, magbabayad din ng damages kay tonino lamborghini.

Gil Edeza · 15 years ago

Folks you can only get to use Lamborghini’s trademarks from Lamborghini Artimarca s.P.A..Just check the wikipedia its all there

Name: IC DeaDPiPoL · 15 years ago

“The company will not engage in any activity that will mislead the public in the course of doing business and serving its customers.”

~_~

Andre · 15 years ago

they probably found the brand of tonino lamborghini being sold somehow by Primo Mobile cheaper and tried to pass it off as the lamborghini cars. It was wrong from the moment they tried to use a watch brand for a campaign to advertise speed and use a race car driver…

wrong that they didnt even make sure the brand owner was ok with it….

Eingild · 15 years ago

If I may, Globe and other Telcos should also be sued by consumers because they always use the term “4G” even if the bandwidth that they offer does not qualify to bear the title “4G” speed. Kung madali lang sana magdemanda dito, nademanda ko na sila.

Peej · 15 years ago

Now the name game is an issue now. Mabigat pa ang royalty niyan. Pwede naman Hyper or common names like eX. Anyway yari ang Globe dahil issue dito royalty and im sure Lamborghini will never misses this once and for all. Basta niyo na lang ginamit name nila and definitely a huge sum of money will be shell out again with their subs once Globe didnt rectify this properly.

Trollo from da Shire · 15 years ago

So Globe does get things wrong-LIKE THE OVERCHARGES ON MY BILLS! As well as the clear connections CLAIMS, the connection speed CLAIMS, and all the other CLAIMS they advertise. Lies! They’re all lies I tell ya! EPIC fails have never been so epic, serves you right Globe :)

vinz · 15 years ago

Like.Like.Like.Like.Like.Like.Like.

jonaflormicfren · 15 years ago

Let them fix it, there are reasons for every act.

rico · 15 years ago

Looks like the writer is either an “assumptionist”, does not use google photos or color blind.

Check out Automobili Lamborghini and Tonino Lamborghini logos in google and see for your selves ^_^

Mark · 15 years ago

I see two different logos so what’s the problem? What do you mean by the writeris â€œassumptionistâ€?

Mark · 15 years ago

I see two different logos so what’s the problem? What do you mean by the writer is â€œassumptionistâ€?

popoy · 15 years ago

panu naging “assumptionist” ang writer, e diba ‘all-girl school’ ang assumption?

hwekhwekhwek….

gerard · 15 years ago

ang bobo talaga ng marketing ng globe, alam naman ntin hindi uubra yang lamborgini dito sa pinas… takot lang ng magmamaneho ng lamborgini dito,gasgas at tapyas abot nyang kotse n yan! dapat kinuha na lang nila sarao o kaya MalagueÃ±a motors! yan ang tunay na 10mbps nang mga kalye sa pilipinas!

Yikes… · 15 years ago

May be misleading but…

Globe can always claim that speed freaks and/or race car drivers can use Lamborghini watches too (aside from cars), which they promoted in their ads.

Yikes… · 15 years ago

Globe can just state that they are really going through the lines of the Lamborghini Luxury items rather than Lamborghini cars.

Yikes… · 15 years ago

Maybe, it’s Lamborghini who failed here. They failed by lacking in disambiguating their brand.

I maybe wrong. Hehe.

Cindy · 15 years ago

i think Globe should’ve exercised extra diligence in ensuring that the license came the correct group. If Primo is the maker , just the maker, then I think they should’ve secured license from Tonino not Primo. But Abe, you are also correct that it connotes speed which is referring to Automobili which is misleading.

rico · 15 years ago

see “mobile” and “authorize to sub-license”

namye · 15 years ago

“Globe Telecom obtained authorization to use the name and logo Tonino Lamborghini through an agreement with Primo Mobile, the master franchisor of mobile phone related products for the Italian brand Tonino Lamborghini.

Primo Mobile is a Singapore-based company that has a master license agreement with Tonino Lamborghini s.r.l. and is duly authorized to sub-license the use of the Tonino Lamborghini logo. The design of the Globe Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini 4G broadband stick was reviewed and approved by Primo Mobile.”

Gerard · 15 years ago

“Globe Telecom assures the public of its strong adherence and commitment to the highest ethical standards in business and good corporate governance.” – globe response in gma news tv article.

I think ‘ethical’ would have meant acquiring the license directly from Tonino Lamborghini itself.

And it should not take more than common sense to figure that they are blatantly trying to bank on the mass perception of “Lamborghini” to automatically equate with the Automobili franchise.

fr0stbyte · 15 years ago

Eto lang ‘yan eh.. I would have bought this USB stick WITHOUT the Lambo-ek-ek. As long as they give us decent speeds, even if it came with a cap, I’ll be happy. This marketing ploy is destined to fail, IMO.

In other words, wala ‘yan sa pangalan. Nasa performance ‘yan.

am+Dg · 15 years ago

I think the real problem was with the association of speed (thru the sports car and Marlon Stockinger) and luxury watches (Tonino); it got mixed up.

Expect that all advertising and merchandising collaterals be put down in the next few days.

At the risk of sounding trite, i think this is worthy of an “EPIC FAIL” label, dont you think?

Globe Subscriber · 15 years ago

Can we expect a revamp of top officials starting from the CEO, Head of Corporate Communications, Legal Counsel and everyone else involved?

Call the attention of the Board of Directors!

It doesn’t matter if this is a mere “misunderstanding”, obviously there was lapse in judgment.

Nakakahiya sa Globe subscribers at most importantly, nakakahiya para sa bansa natin.

Ryuuji · 15 years ago

Smart will have a field day on this one, haha! :)

Renegade · 15 years ago

Globe should have named their product Globe Tongengot (tanga+engot). LOL!!!

Eason · 15 years ago

I didn’t even knew that Tonino Lamborghini exist until I saw this. When I saw Globe’s Advertisements, I thought its the real Lamborghini brand. Hmmmm very interesting marketing strategy they made.

Anyways, I think this is the result of Globe rushing too much to become the 1st 4G (well ALMOST 4G) network in the country.

Not like Smart that their LTE is called plainly “ROCKET” plain and simple symbolizing what they want, no fuzz like Globe hyping their limited 4G network too much.

Doods · 15 years ago

“Moreover the advertising campaign ‘Feed your need for speed’ featuring Marlon Stockinger, first Filipino to win a formula race in Europe, is deceitful and unlawful since it leads to a serious likelihood of confusion between two different and separate brands and businesses that is to say ‘Tonino Lamborghini’ and ‘Automobili Lamborghini,'”

Total fail!

Doods · 15 years ago

So what is the relation between Tonino and car race?

sweetscrazy · 15 years ago

sounds like primo is a typical singaporean company: making money out of the hardwork and image of others. They will probably complain and criticize both globe and lamborghini for getting dragged into this lah

MindanaoBob · 15 years ago

Globe has issued a statement here: http://t.co/dmGEqjD

kirk · 15 years ago

That press release is a fast and direct one… and I assume Globe by now has already “found” that agreement and be on time for tomorrows dailies to refute such allegations.

juan i jacques · 15 years ago

i can see it now the big boss of globe telecom circling the conference table holding a bat asking whose fault is it then suddenly a noob says ” sir it was just little misunderstanding” THEN WHAM.. oops sorry my baseball bat misunderstood your head for a baseball.

Aldo · 15 years ago

right on! hahaha grabe siguro ang meeting nila ngayun. Lagot sila kay papa Zobel =)

dK · 15 years ago

agay kol!

dK · 15 years ago

agay kol! :)

jann · 15 years ago

ROLMFAO

Ram · 15 years ago

Sabi nga sa song ni Katy Perry, “…that was such an EPIC FAIL..”

darryl · 15 years ago

ang tawag diyan eh, “huli ka balbon!”

rene · 15 years ago

he he he… huli! its a shame how a very big telecommunication company which pride for their vast communication infrastructures and communication skills made such a minuscule communication blooper.

masteraldo · 15 years ago

hahaha! they should have known that. they have researchers and staff.

I think they’re after the car maker since all their ads imposes fast connection and not timely connection. what timely have to do with internet anyway =)

it looks like they used the tonino name because it sounds cool! but they meant the car brand.

ICe · 15 years ago

Well kung time yan pede natin sabihin na less time-outs ang 4g nila, imho im better off with 1 mbps w/o ping timeouts than 5mbps with lots of ping timeouts, time never stops lol yan siguro ang slogan nila hahha

watrboy · 15 years ago

malaki laking pera pag uusapan dyan.. patay na :) yari si globe..

darryl · 15 years ago

wow, what a huge f**k up by the people at globe who were handling this campaign if this was indeed true. if tonino lamborghini did receive compensation for the brand copyright, why would they release a press statement stating otherwise? looky looky, looks like someone’s got a huge litigation rap coming their way here.

roiji · 15 years ago

bat naman kasi parehas name nun @_@ hahahah
If Globe was selling 4G watches then it’s definitely fake. But they’re not, it’s a *ahem* “Tatto” Broadband stick (according to Tonino Lamborghini CEO).
Trademark infringement, yes. Fake, no.

martin · 15 years ago

someone at globe made a big boo-boo. here goes another job for globe’s legal department.

Gerard · 15 years ago

I don’t think “someone” at Globe should take the fall for this. These big marketing campaigns require the final say from the very top.

gwhiz · 15 years ago

award!

Doods · 15 years ago

Fail!

Tacloban · 15 years ago

Are they sure they have the papers to back up their claim of legally using the Tonino Lamborghini brand? I mean, the press release/statement is signed by the CEO of the company after all.

MindanaoBob · 15 years ago

Or they don’t have an agreement with either company and were just hoping that nobody noticed.

Tacloban · 15 years ago

Now that’s just sick if it’s true … inexcusable for a company like Globe. Well, I for one am interested to hear Globe’s take on this mess.

jepoy · 15 years ago

“Looks like the Globe got the agreement with the watchmaker but used the logo of the car manufacturer.”

I think it’s the other way around?

technobaboy · 15 years ago

it’s like this: globe licensed tonino lamborghini (according to globe’s press release). globe used tonino lamborghini and the logo. however, since the tagline is “feed your need for speed” and features a race car driver, the product is associated with the lamborghini automobile brand

technobaboy · 15 years ago

its curious that globe did not verify if primo mobile is authorized to sub-license. otherwise why is tonino lamborghini s.r.l. complaining about globe’s use?