FedEx Furniture

Most of us have been young and broke at some time in our lives.  Ahh the days of one bedroom efficiencies and crazy landlord stories.  I think everyone should experience them to build character.

Jose Avila found himself paying double rent due to a move leaving no money for extras, like furniture.  So he built furniture out of FedEx boxes.

FedEx is playing the big bad corporation, and has taken legal action to try to get his site taken down.

But that feel-good message seems to be lost on FedEx. The company claims that Avila is infringing on its trademark and its copyright. The day after Avila launched the site in June, FedEx asked him to take it down, claiming he had violated the DMCA.

I love FedEx.  They are hands down the most reliable shipper domestic or international.  They beat everyone else to Asia and back every time.  I have to sympathize with them.  They're really in a no win spot on this deal.

They either play the bad guy and try to kill this story, or if they let it ride under the idea that it promotes their name, they'll end up with a ton of 20 somethings furnishing their apartments with free FedEx boxes.  Do the math.  This unintended free service would add up really fast, with no return for the company or their stockholders.

One solution would be for them to start charging a nominal fee for their boxes, which sucks for all the rest of us.  Don't get me wrong.  I love the fact that Jose was creative enough to come up with a cool solution to his dilemma and he should be free to let the world know about it.  But, I have to also acknowledge it's no win for FedEx.

Comments

[aelfheld]

Charge a fee for the materials, credited to shipping charges at time of use.

[FurnitureFromHome]

Boxes as sturdy as bedroom furniture



? You would think that Fed Ex would be all over this kid with a marketing campaign. Not suing him. He's a genius in my book! Plus, I'll be shipping with FedEx from now on.