Two ?rms ?ght for nerdish label
By Robert Gavin, Globe Staff *|* June 25, 2004
Not so long ago, the name geek was one to be avoided. But now the wearers of pocket protectors, ?ood pants, and thick glasses have acquired a certain geek mystique so cool, in fact, that two companies are battling in federal court over who has the right to be called geek.
The Geek Squad Inc. of Minneapolis, a unit of retailing giant Best Buy Co., recently ?led suit in US District Court in Boston against Geek Housecalls Inc. of Lexington, charging trademark infringement. Both ?rms provide technical support for home computers. In its complaint, the older Minnesota company claims the Massachusetts company adopted a similar name to capitalize on its established reputation and business.
But Dave Ehlke, the founder of Geek Housecalls with 30 years in the technology, said he and his partner, Andy Trask, adopted the name for two reasons: Were geeks. And we make housecalls.
In many ways, the suit is an example of how deeply technology has become ingrained in American culture and how those derided over generations as poindexters, brainiacs, squares, and nerds have become its heroes. Robert Stephens, founder and chief inspector of the Geek Squad the title chief executive, he said, just didnt ?t blames society.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/06/25/that_geek_mystique/
By Robert Gavin, Globe Staff *|* June 25, 2004
Not so long ago, the name geek was one to be avoided. But now the wearers of pocket protectors, ?ood pants, and thick glasses have acquired a certain geek mystique so cool, in fact, that two companies are battling in federal court over who has the right to be called geek.
The Geek Squad Inc. of Minneapolis, a unit of retailing giant Best Buy Co., recently ?led suit in US District Court in Boston against Geek Housecalls Inc. of Lexington, charging trademark infringement. Both ?rms provide technical support for home computers. In its complaint, the older Minnesota company claims the Massachusetts company adopted a similar name to capitalize on its established reputation and business.
But Dave Ehlke, the founder of Geek Housecalls with 30 years in the technology, said he and his partner, Andy Trask, adopted the name for two reasons: Were geeks. And we make housecalls.
In many ways, the suit is an example of how deeply technology has become ingrained in American culture and how those derided over generations as poindexters, brainiacs, squares, and nerds have become its heroes. Robert Stephens, founder and chief inspector of the Geek Squad the title chief executive, he said, just didnt ?t blames society.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/06/25/that_geek_mystique/
