Integreo to undergo another name change

Atlanta-based Integreo, a business process outsourcing (BPO) company that was formerly known as STI Knowledge, will now have to undergo another name change by February 28, 2006.

Integreon, another global BPO provider, obtained a judgement and permanent injunction in the United States District Court against Integreo Inc for using a "'confusingly similar business name and trademark".

According to reports available on Integreon's website, the trademark dispute arose when Integreo Inc announced a change of its corporate name and brand from 'STI Knowledge' to 'Integreo' on June 1, 2005. Attempts to reach a settlement were not successful and both the parties filed suit in the US District Court claiming exclusive rights in the BPO industry to their respective marks.

The court entered a final judgment in favour of Integreon on each if its claims for relief, entered a permanent injunction requiring Integreo Inc to discontinue use of the INTEGREO trademark, the corporate name 'Integreo Inc', and the internet domain http://www.integreo.com, and awarded Integreon its costs.

Sandeep Madan, president of Integreo India Private Limited told Business Standard that the company has not yet decided on the new name.

"We are looking at options and still have a few months to make these changes. This time, however, there will be a thorough check to ensure that such things do not happen again," he added. With reference to the costs awarded to Integreon, Madan said that he was not aware of the amount.

According to Dean Rock, vice-president and co-founder of Integreon, Integreo has been given time till February 28, 2006, to change the name.

Integreo Inc has a facility in Hyderabad employing more than 600 associates. The company is planning to increase the headcount at this centre to around 2,000 in around 12 months.

By January 2006, it also plans to shift to a new 60,000-sq ft facility in Kondapur near Hyderabad. It has a revenue run-rate of $65 million and is looking at crossing the $100-million mark by the end of March 2007.