The battle for language: Is the use of the word "Hebrew" a cause of action?

"Indibook", which distributes digital books, has announced that it is committed to the lowest price in Israel.

In response, she received a letter before taking legal action from "Hebrew", which requires her not to include the word "Hebrew" in her publications, since any use of it harms the company whose name it is.

So to whom does Hebrew belong?

Between Ashkenazi

28/06/2022

Tuesday, 28 June 2022, 08:45 Updated: 09:27

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Indibook's advertising on Facebook: Is the use of the word "Hebrew" in the context of the ad a cause of action? (Photo: None)

Is it a business rivalry that has slipped into the legal arena, or is it the hallucinatory warning letter of the year?

The "Hebrew" bookstore has issued a warning letter to the "Indibook" bookstore.

The background to the warning letter is Indibook's publication during Hebrew Book Week, according to which the bookstore has committed to the lowest price in Israel.

A post published by Indibook on social media reads: "Why pay more for digital books in Hebrew? The lowest price on the Indibook website - guaranteed! You found a lower price? We will send you a coupon on WhatsApp for immediate purchase at a better price"

Following the publication,

, warning letter - along with the signature of

- demanding that Indibook immediately remove the publication, since (according to the letter), this is an unfair intervention and the presentation of "Hebrew"

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Can the word "Hebrew" belong to a commercial entity?

However, the letter implies that no commercial entity in the field (remember: Hebrew books!) Has the right to use the word "Hebrew", since this, ostensibly, explicitly implies a company called by that name.

In other words: it is actually forbidden to publish a marketing message in which the word Hebrew appears.

The warning letter reads: "What is said in the above post and especially the use of the words 'why pay more for digital books in Hebrew' is not ambiguous: it is clear to everyone that the words 'digital books in Hebrew' refer to digital books sold by my client, while presenting her as a bookseller. Digital at higher prices. "

In Hebrew," Indibook "draws attention to the wording of the law, which states: Other "- Did the law aim for such publication, as" Indibook "published?

On the other hand, Indibook claims that they offer digital books in the Hebrew language at the lowest price throughout the year, with an additional commitment - to pass on to the authors and publishers of the books fair and higher royalties than at the competing stores.

This is one of the last independent bookstores in Israel, which is not part of one of the companies that control the industry.

Guy Ben-Nun, CEO of "Hebrew" (hosted on the "Commercial" podcast). Signed the letter of notice (Photo: Timor Gordon, Commercial)

"An attempt at a de facto monopoly to prevent competition"

The director of Indibook, Ben Steinberger

, responded: "We are proud of Indibook, which offers readers in Israel a variety of digital books in Hebrew, available for immediate reading, and at the lowest price in Israel. Our commitment to the lowest price is valid all year and we stand behind it

. Already low and whoever accidentally finds a digital book at a lower price, immediately gets a coupon to buy at a better price. And to prevent competition. "

• Of money

Tags

• Hebrew

• Books

• Digital books