ICBC sues owner of insurance-advice website
Last Updated: Thursday, August 6, 2009 | 8:19 AM PT
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The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia is suing the owner of a Vancouver-based website that gives tips on filing claims with the Crown corporation.
The corporation is accusing the website ICBCadvice.com of trademark infringement, claiming it is using the ICBC name without the company's permission.
"We don't object to the text on the website or the manual or the information that it's presenting," said ICBC spokesperson Mark Jan Vrem.
"Our concern is about the unauthorized use of our official marks and the brand for commercial purposes by someone who is not authorized to do so."
He said the company is asking the website to remove ICBC from its URL address and not represent material on the site as being authorized or approved by ICBC.
However, website owner Penny Stainton said the website clearly states it is not affiliated with ICBC.
"The reason they're going after me is because of the content of my website," she said.
"For them to make a clear statement that they don't object to my content just tells you that is what they're after. They don't want people to get the information that I am providing."
Stainton claims ICBC is trying to suppress her freedom of expression.
"To get me to not give this information to regular people ... so that they can continue on their business and make their record profits."
Stainton said she already changed the name of the website three years ago, and ICBC didn't object to the new web address then.
She has yet to file a statement of defence in court.
The website provides a variety of comprehensive information on such things as the most effective ways of filing insurance claims with ICBC, how to avoid some of the most common mistakes made when dealing with the company and important legal issues to keep in mind when filing a claim.
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