Highly Judgmental Remarks
U.S. District Judge Matthew M. Byrne is more than a little fed up with the legal antics in the feud between jeans makers Guess? and Jordache.
Byrne fired some zingers at lawyers on both sides during a hearing Thursday in the federal suit by the Marciano brothers, founders of Guess?, alleging a dirty tricks campaign by associates of the Nakash family, Jordache’s owners:
“We’re through fussing around in this case.”
“You’d think you’d get tired of listening to yourselves.”
“In the long run, the only real winners are the airlines, carting you up and back (between the East and West Coasts), and the court reporters.”
For the record, Byrne didn’t impose sanctions against the lawyers but left open the possibility of doing so later. He also plans to name a lawyer to oversee future depositions and cut down on the hugely expensive legal wrangling.
Making Commuting Easier
What’s the worst part of your day?
If you live anywhere in Southern California, it’s probably the drive to work--or the drive home. But a company in Emeryville, Calif., called Commuter Products Corp., figures that it can help brighten up your drive time.
The company has published a 24-page mail-order catalogue called “Love to Commute.” It’s filled with high-tech gadgets, widgets and what-nots that can help make driving a bit more bearable--if not downright entertaining. Among the items: a mask-like, $29.95 “eye massager” (to relieve the stress of driving); a $69.95 headrest with built-in stereo speakers, and an audiotape kit of special stories for the junior commuter.
“We are the first company to recognize commuters as an entirely new market,” said Mable F. Yee, president. “Until now, about the only product most consumers could find that was specifically designed for them was a commuter cup.”
About all Yee doesn’t offer is a chauffeur. That might be difficult to fit into the catalogue’s $9.95 to $1,595 price range.
Decoding Company Names
Ever wonder what a company named nView Corp makes? Or ponder what companies with names like Odetics Corp, Systec Corp., Informtech International or Joindata Systems Inc. do to turn a buck?
If you have, these high-technology companies, which offer products for the personal computer, haven’t given you much of a clue. And that’s a problem, says ABC Namebank International, a New York name consulting and development firm.
According to a study of U.S. corporations by ABC, the term System or just plain Sys was used in the names of more than 173,000 companies. Communication or Comm was used by nearly 51,000 companies and Info appeared 26,400 times.
Other heavily used tech terms include Data, appearing 26,000 times; Soft, with 17,500 appearances, and Tech, 17,000.
