JIP to kill Olympus brand name as a part of the new deal
Oct 8, 2020
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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Earlier this year, Olympus sold its imaging business to Japan Industrial Partners (JIP). And just when the future of Olympus began to seem bright, it turned out that JIP had other plans. According to the latest information, Olympus will no longer use its name with the camera gear.
This information comes from different sources. 42 West spoke with Aki Murata, the Olympus’ President of the Consumer Products Group. In the interview, he said that the Olympus name will remain at the time of transfer. “The name will likely not be used forever,” he added, “but this decision will be made in the final agreement between Olympus and JIP.”
In the official statement, Olympus announced that the new company name would be OM Digital Solutions Corporation. As of 1 January 2021, JIP will officially hold 95% of Olympus’ shares. In the comments, users wondered what the new cameras would be called. Olympus responded that the Olympus brand name will “stick around for the foreseeable future.” The company added that “Olympus branded gear will continue to be available even after January 1, 2021.”
Speaking with Inside Imaging, Olympus didn’t give a straightforward answer about the future of the brand. But it still seems pretty clear what will happen after a while. “Long term, OM Digital Solutions will consider developing a brand name that is familiar and resonates with customers and the Olympus legacy,” said Ante Badzim of Olympus Australia.
It seems that a major change is coming when it comes to the Olympus brand. It won’t be tomorrow or in January… But I wonder what will happen to the brand in a year or two’s time. I guess we can only wait and see, but it looks like they won’t keep the name they had for almost a century.
[via Photo Rumors]
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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9 responses to “JIP to kill Olympus brand name as a part of the new deal”
As long as they continue in making great OM-D cameras and Zuiko lenses I’m fine with it.
OMD or OM I’d bet
Some companies spend fortunes developing an internationally famous brand name, others just throw it away. Maybe JIP thinks the Olympus brand is hurting the MFT market? or they just don’t want to pay for the legal rights to use it? Whatever the case, I can’t figure out the logic.
Sorry to tell this but your opinions are childish…
JIP has nothing to decide here. Olympus has decided to quit camera market but they still produce medical equipment an want to keep their own brand name for their own products.
Unless they lost their mind Olympus won’t allow other company to destroy their brand name.
Thanks for being so mature about this, trying to explain this to a kid.
or maybe Olympus (the company that sold off the imagine division) doesn’t want to have the direction JIP will go associated with themselves?
That’s truly a sad news. :(
They do not kill anything.
They just have no rights to use Olympus brand name.
Uhhh… so it will still use olympus for the foreseeable future as they work on rebranding.
This is hardly even worth reading about.