PRESS RELEASES
January 29, 2011
Please post at your Art Club:
I am writing to you in my capacity as President & CEO of Chromacolour International Limited. We are based both in Canada and the UK. Our production facility for Artist Paints is here in Canada. I feel obligated to bring to the attention of both professional and amateur artists alike in the United Kingdom and Europe a few facts regarding our good name and our unique product.
Our range of ChromaColour Artist's Colors were sold throughout the UK by a reseller, but in mid 2008 we terminated our supply to him. The reseller was Chromacolour 2000 Ltd. and the Managing Director was Julian Beavan. They currently trade on the internet as chromacolour.co.uk.
Our previous reseller, Chromacolour 2000 Ltd is now producing a paint and is attempting to pass this product off as ours. Let me personally state this is NOT our product. As a result, we have completely pulled the name Chromacolour International Limited out of the UK and European markets.
What this means to the UK based artists is this: If you are offered or purchase a product anywhere in the UK or Europe with the name Chromacolour, or Chromacolour International on it, then it is NOT our high quality product that is manufactured exclusively here in Canada. This paint has been subcontracted to a third party paint manufacturer and they are selling it as Chromacolour International Artists Colour.
They falsely claim it is made to the original formulation from Canada at various art shows and over the internet. Please note that passing off someone's product is illegal. Take a look at the difference in colour:
Our paint Paynes Gray (note the nice blue hue)
The product being passed off in the UK (is this watered down black?)
I can categorically state that no one individual or company has been granted a license or been given the formula to produce my paint in the UK or Europe. So why did Julian Beavan state the following ? No doubt he forgot he had made the statement:
An extract from an email from Julian Beavan to a UK Artist:
"Regarding making the colour here I do not even want to go there. Suffice it to say we are
working on it and the transition is slower than I anticipated, as the colours are impossible to copy exact.
We are making the colour here, but it has to be as good as and exactly the same as the colour
range we have had in the past from Canada. I am sure you want that too. It will be impossible to copy exact without the formulation but we'll come as close as we can."
The key sections in the above quotation being an admission directly from Julian Beavan, the Managing Director of Chromacolour 2000 Limited the company that are now trying to copy our paints are:
1. "the colours are impossible to copy exact"
2. "it will be impossible to copy exact without the formulation"
Finally, I would remind you that my company, Chromacolour International Limited has completely pulled its name out of the UK and European markets.
Should you wish to contact me direct, please do so at jt@chromacolour.com or call me at 403-250-5880. Or visit our website at www.chromacolour.com
John T Munro
President & C.E.O.
ChromaColour International Limited
Canada
In the UK Co.No. 7090496
PLEASE NOTE:
In order that our UK artists and friends are not deprived the opportunity of using Canadian made paint, I'm delighted that Linda Wain has asked me to produce a range of paints for her which she now markets throughout the UK and Europe under the name ProColour (web site: www.procolour.net).
Linda's stipulation to me in providing paint to her was that it must be improved, upgraded and different to that previously sold in the UK. I am pleased to announce that our Chemist using his many years experience has created this new and exciting product by implementing the use of the very latest available resins and pigments. It has all of the qualities of the previous product but now contains even more pigment which in turn allows the artist even greater flexibility than was ever before thought possible. I thoroughly recommend ProColour to you.
PRESS RELEASE
Calgary, Alberta CANADA— (December 8, 2010)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SIMPLY THE FACTS
Due to the recent confusion surrounding the use of the Chromacolour name in the UK, ChromaColour International Limited has taken the steps to withdraw the name ChromaColour from its paint brand in the UK and European markets. In its place, ChromaColour International Limited has introduced Linda Wain's ProColour Artist Acrylics. As a result, ChromaColour Artist Colours made in Canada will no longer be available in the UK and Europe under the original formulation. Linda Wain's ProColour Artist Acrylics is an enhanced product using new technology resins and pigments to provide the artist with an even better product than our original line.
We are astounded that a company called Chromacolour 2000 Ltd. owned by Julian Beavan in the UK has decided to attempt to illegally copy our original line and as a result we have contacted and are in the process of many legal proceedings here in Canada and the UK. Recently, Julian Beavan has attempted to slander our reputation and he is attempting to mislead our valued UK Artists with false and libelous published statements. He has received a letter from our legal representative in the UK to cease and desist. As a result, after consulting our legal teams, we have decided to state publicly some of the communication regarding the false and libelous statements from Julian Beavan surrounding his claims.
We have received dozens of complaints from both amateur and professional artists, art clubs and professional organizations in the UK. Due to data protection, we are restrained from publishing their comments so we have restricted comments to key professionals.
Jon Prudence-Founder, ChromaColour International Limited
"The claims made by Chromacolour 2000 Ltd. and Julian Beavan are just not true. I moved the manufacturing facility along with the manufacturing staff to Canada in 1999 and since that time ChromaColour Artist Colours has only been made in Canada. Absolutely no license has been provided to any other company to produce the paint line and the only two copies of formulation are under lock and key in Canada. I have seen the quality of the paint being made by a third-party company in the UK for the UK company and can quite honestly say it isn't anything like the product we developed. If you want the original paint and not a questionable copycat paint, purchase direct form Linda Wain. It is not only based on the original formulation developed by myself and Michael Cook, it has been enhanced with new technology resins and pigments and is now even better than the original formulation and is manufactured exclusively for the UK and European market in Canada. "
Michael Cook, Product Development Manager, Chromacolour International Limited
I have inspected the UK paint and report as follows:
- Our label has the trademark and brand name as CHROMACOLOUR Artist's Color; the UK copycat is labelled as CHROMACOLOUR International Artists Colour.
- Our label is 1 and 7/16" high; the copycat label is 1 and 3/16th" high.
- Our bottle is made of a medium density for easy squeeze and the copycat bottle is made of a high grade plastic which is difficult for consumers to squeeze.
- Our label is in both English/French; the copycat is English only (to specify colour name)
- Our bottle indicates it is manufactured in Canada by Chromacolour International and includes a UPC code for retail purposes; the copycat bottle does not indicate who manufactures the product or provides the country it is manufactured in; nor does it have a UPC code.
- We market this product as a "Unique Versatile Acrylic Paint" a phrase added to our bottles in 2003 and this phase has been copied.
- Our product conforms to ASTM D4236; the copycat product claims EN71/3 compliant. It is interesting to note that the UK website refers to our ASTM registration, which once again is illegal.
- In addition to the visual differences; the copycat product does not match the colours I tested. The strength of the pigment content of the UK paint is significantly different than Chromacolour Artist's Color. As a result, colour variations are greater and do not even fall into the (+/-) tolerance range for quality control. In addition to this, samples indicates bacterial contamination, therefore causing the viscosity reduction. The impact to the Artist could be cross contamination to any other paint products.
- Our USA test lab has concluded the same results.
There is no doubt in my mind that the attempt here to copy our product will create problems in the UK. In addition, and of even greater concern is how this different paint will react with our paint in time. If there is a conflict between our pigment and their pigment, it is possible that the actual colour hue of the original painting could change. This will not only damage the Chromacolour brand, but could possibly cause serious consequences for the artist and his/her career.
It is of my opinion, that a warning should be issued to the UK artists advising of the attempt to copy our product.
Don Harrison-Respected International Artist and Author
"I object to the misuse of my name by Chromacolour 2000 Ltd. in the UK and associating it with inferior products which needs to be stopped. As my name is still linked by some people through the book I wrote for ChromaColour International Limited and DVD to the paints, it is also in my interest to protect my reputation as well as that of the genuine Chromacolour being made solely in Canada. I have demanded repeatedly that Julian Beavan remove my information from his website and he refuses. "
UK Trading Standards-Response due to UK consumer complaints
"I recommend that you should continue to pursue your own legal action with regard to your commercial rights under the above.
I must point out that:
I will continue to look into this matter with regard to allegations about consumers being misled in accordance with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. We would only contemplate an investigation involving residents businesses and this would be under UK criminal law. Any such action would inevitably take time.
I think the best course of action with regards to this matter is to put any consumers who have complaints about ChromaColour 2000 Ltd in touch with the telephone and online consumer advice service known as Consumer Direct. Consumer Direct can then make a formal record of the complaint and will pass the details onto the appropriate trading standards authority who will in turn decide the best course of action with regards to the complaint. The telephone number for Consumer Direct is 08454 04 05 06. Consumers can also use the Internet to contact Consumer Direct and should complete the “contact form” found here: http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/contact?action=complain.
When the complaints are put through to Consumer Direct, through our National Indicators, we will then have records on our system to that effect."
These are simply the facts. You've heard them from the Founder as well as the President & C.E.O. of ChromaColour International Limited, the Chemist and the Product Development Manager of ChromaColour International Limited in Canada who developed the paint and Don Harrison, the respected International Artist who wrote the only book on ChromaColour paints. You may choose to believe these respected professionals or you can believe a craft artist (R Byass) and a non-industry Managing Director. Below is a quote from an email from Julian Beavan to a UK Artist:
"Regarding making the colour here I do not even want to go there. Suffice it to say we are working on it and the transition is slower than I anticipated, as the colours are impossible to copy exact. We are making the colour here, but it has to be as good as and exactly the same as the colour range we have had in the past from Canada. I am sure you want that too." It will be impossible to copy exact without the formulation but we'll come as close as we can."
Now let's be sensible here, he has indicated in writing that he does not have the formulation. This only proves he has no rights, no formulation and no Canadian supplier. Thus after I terminated the contract to supply Julian Beavan, due to the same type of libelous behaviour, he had no choice but to find someone who would make paint for him in the UK as he could no longer be supplied with the original paint made by ChromaColour International Limited at their Canadian manufacturing plant.
In addition, it is hard to comprehend for me and others that Julian Beavan would slander and make libelous comments against such a well respected International Artist such as Linda Wain. He has made written reference to her as follows ..." We also hope that this will dispel the nasty and untrue rumours emanating from Belper, Derby." This is such an untrue and offensive lie that everyone painting in the UK should be warned that you may be the next victim. Linda Wain decided to come direct to me to request a private label paint which she has every right to do. She has been so successful with this new line that Julian Beavan has decided to attempt to intimidate and destroy her reputation, all because he has produced an inferior craft product and has lost market share. Her efforts are spent promoting her own line and to not get involved with the antics of Julian Beavan. I personally have taken on this responsibility to protect the good name of ChromaColour International Limited and Linda Wain.
As a result, I would like to make this offer to our Artist friends in the UK and Europe who have unwittingly purchased paint from the UK company that is attempting to trade using our name and falsely claiming to have obtained our formula. If you have any unused or partly used Chromacolour paint purchased in the UK with this information on the label (Lead Free EN71/3 compliant, no significant hazard); you may return the bottle(s) to Linda Wain in the UK and she will provide you with a new bottle(s) of ProColour at no cost to you. Please do so by January 15, 2011.
We feel obliged to do this as you have been deceived into believing that you were actually getting original ChromaColour International Limited product. We apologize for all the deception coming from Julian Beavan.
Should you wish to speak direct to me, or should you wish to speak to any of the individuals listed in this email, please email me and I will call you direct. I also urge you to contact the Trading Standards Consumers direct line listed above. Please also check out Don Harrisons web site at http://www.watchingpaintdry.co.uk/news___views.htm
Yours Truly,
John T Munro
President & C.E.O.
ChromaColour International Limited
jt@chromacolour.com
403-250-5880
A special note from:
International Wildlife Artist - Linda Wain
My chosen medium is ProColour Liquid Acrylics which has been developed for me by ChromaColour International Limited in Canada. It is made at the ChromaColour manufacturing facility in Canada and NOT by a third party paint maker in the UK. The chemist who developed Artist Colours has made my product to a secret formula using the very latest of resins and pigments to produce a paint product of the highest quality...enhanced well beyond the original Artist Colour line. ProColour is exclusively retailed by me throughout the UK and Europe. I regret the continued insults being directed at me by the UK Chromacolour. Obviously I have taken business away from them, but I want you to have the best acrylic available and I believe that is what I now offer.
Don't forget to buy your copy of Leisure Painter magazine (Nov 2010) in which I have completed an excellent demonstration for you to follow.
www.lindawain.com and www.procolour.net
E-mail: linda@lindawain.com
PRESS RELEASE
Calgary, Alberta CANADA— (June 23, 2010)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
INTRODUCING:
Due to the recent confusion surrounding the use of the Chromacolour name in the UK, Chromacolour International Limited has taken the steps to withdraw the name ChromaColour from its paint brand in the UK and European markets. In its place, ChromaColour is pleased to introduce Linda Wain's ProColour Artist Acrylics. A successful launch was held at the recent Patchings Art, Craft & Design Festival held June 10-13 in Calverton, Nottingham, UK.
The launch was a huge success with ProColour being introduced to the public during 4 packed product demonstrations as well as on the ProColour/Linda Wain stand where continual product demonstrations took place.
ProColour is an enhanced product using new technology pigments to provide the artist with an even better product. As a result, ChromaColour Artist Colours made in Canada will no longer be available in the UK and Europe.
UK artists Gareth Watling and Mark Holiday have already announced their support of our new product as has retired UK artist Don Harrison who wrote the original ChromaColour Book. This product also has the endorsement of ChromaColour International Limited Founder, Jon Prudence.
ProColour, manufactured in Canada is available in 80 colours along with a range of mediums.
The only Distributor in the UK is Linda Wain and she can be contacted at linda@lindawain.com. Her web site is www.lindawain.net and www.procolour.net
John T Munro
President & C.E.O.
ChromaColour International Limited
Calgary, Alberta CANADA
jt@chromacolour.com
403-250-5880
PRESS RELEASE
Calgary, Alberta CANADA— (May 18, 2010)
UK company passing off product
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
It has come to our attention that a company in the UK whose name is Chromacolour 2000 Ltd., with a web address of www.chromacolour.co.uk has recently attended an art show in the South of England where they displayed a sign falsely claiming "Chromacolour Paint is now manufactured in the United Kingdom to the original Canadian Formula."
It is important that I clarify this:
ChromaColour International Limited in Canada has not supplied Chromacolour 2000 Ltd (www.chromacolour.co.uk) with product since March 2008 or ‘at any time" with the formulation for our Canadian made product.
We have not granted a license to them OR any other company (anywhere) to manufacture our Artist Colours product. This company in the UK which has NO AFFILIATION with our company in Canada, is using a 3rd party paint maker in the UK to produce a copycat product and has copied our label. They are attempting to pass off their product as that made by ChromaColour International Limited in Canada. It is not being made to our original formula or under licence.
To review the full notice to UK Artists, please go to our website at: http://www.chromacolour.com/store/artists-home-ca.htm
and click on the UK flag.
The only approved Distributor by my company (ChromaColour International Limited) in the UK is:
Linda Wain. She can be contacted at linda@lindawain.com. Her web site is www.lindawain.net
John T Munro
President & C.E.O.
ChromaColour International Limited
Calgary, Alberta CANADA
jt@chromacolour.com
403-250-5880