By Anna Real
Circulation Editor
“The Geeks” are known for fixing any technological problem a person may have; the only glitch this tech-savvy club has is regarding its own name.
Every Thursday, “The Geeks” meet to discuss software and provide tech support for students and teachers in the Costa library. Recently, the club had to change its original name, “The Geek Squad,” to “The Geeks” because of copyright infringements with Best Buy’s existing technology services name.
“Other than the fact that we had to change our name, the dilemma really didn’t have a large impact on the club,” “The Geeks” club president Matthew Rice said. “While mildly annoying, it will not and has not distracted us from our goals.”
Despite the fact that the Costa club is not in competition with Best Buy’s technology support team, according to club president Matthew Rice, a representative of Best Buy emailed the club’s advisor, teacher-librarian Jane Lofton, requesting that the club change its name from “Geek Squad” to “The Geeks” in order to aviod trademark infringement.
“I think Best Buy overreacted,” Rice said. “We aren’t selling anything or making a profit; we are just a harmless high school technology club. I understand that Best Buy might feel like we would incorrectly represent them; however, anyone with a head on their shoulders can see that we are a completely different organization. In fact, the name usage might even benefit their image and publicity.”
Best Buy, however, has a different interpretation of the situation. According to Best Buy Senior Corporate Counsel Karen Brennan, Best Buy seeks to protect its trademark rights and are afraid that its customers would get confused and think that the club was affiliated with the company.
“We have to aggressively protect our ‘Geek Squad’ mark,” Brennan said. “If we allow a single company to call themselves ‘Geek Squad,’ we risk consumer confusion, dilution of our strong trademark rights and potentially negative associations.”
Even though Best Buy forced the club to change its name, the store does not want negative responses from Mira Costa students. The store offered them compensation for the hassle through Geek Squad Academy USB-drive bracelets and an opportunity to join one of Best Buy’s programs that gives schools $5,000 to $10,000 to help teenagers become more technologically savvy.
“We saw these rewards and gifts from Best Buy as them trying to get rid of some promotional items that they had in their storage,” Rice said. “We did, however, extremely appreciate getting something from them as a result of this complication.”
According to Rice, “The Geeks” are focusing on the future of their club rather than dwelling on this minor incident. The group is planning on expanding its availability to the student body by using more library space. They also wish to have technology professionals come speak to Costa students and show demonstrations during technology events set up by “The Geeks.”
“We will continue to serve as a resource to students and teachers in need of tech support and educating students about technology,” Rice said.
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