A row has developed between Bermuda's largest photo processing company, and newcomer Zip-pix.

Zip-pix yesterday urged Kodak Express to immediately stop running a comparative advertising campaign and to print an apology to both themselves and the Bermuda public.

Kodak yesterday said they had received a letter from Zip-pix lawyers and as a result had withdrawn future ads.

"We are in the process of pulling the ad,'' a company spokesperson said yesterday, "and will be reviewing our position.'' But the company would not reveal whether it would run an apology or retraction.

Glen Smith, president and CEO of Zip-pix, slammed the ads and said they featured false information both on pricing and on the composition of his company.

"They obviously did very little research or are trying to mislead the Bermuda public,'' Mr. Smith said. "The information in their ads is completely inaccurate.

"I haven't spoken directly to Kodak but our lawyers have sent a letter to the manager and a follow-up letter to the directors will also be sent,'' said Mr.

Smith.

"I think we are a bit beyond having this type of marketing in Bermuda,'' he said. He also admitted that the appearance of the Kodak ads surprised him.

"My whole life I've been up against competition,'' said Mr. Smith, who also owns courier firm International Bonded Couriers (see related story, Page 23).

"I face it on a daily basis with international companies like FedEx and DHL but they would never do anything like this.

"They (Kodak) are grabbing at straws,'' he said.

Zip-pix two weeks ago started a mail-drop-off photo processing service, where film is developed overseas.

Mr. Smith said that business has been "going well'' and commented: "This is Day 13 and already we have customers who have used us three and four times.'' Zip-pix sought to correct information on the Kodak ads which suggested that their company is foreign-owned and operated and which listed incorrect prices for prints.

Glen Smith