An organization named Trademark Info Corp is sending out a document to Canadian registered trade-mark owners offering "publication of protected trade-marks on the internet" for the fee of CDN $1330. The website of this organization is here.
At first glance, this document looks like an invoice.
There is NO GOOD REASON for anyone to pay any money to these people. Any Canadian registration is already recorded and can be viewed at the Government of Canada's official website for the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, which is here.
Remember what P.T. Barnum is said to have said - "There's a sucker born every minute."
HK
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Fantastic! These are con man business that should be reported. They do not even have a telephone number to call. Faxes were un-answered!
ReplyDeletePlease circulate this information.
It appears they are starting up again - we received an "invoice" today.
Deletejust got two invoices today...bastards. my office is just 10 minutes from there. I should stop by and give them a good spanking.
DeleteWe just received 3 of these invoices and assumed it was a "scam".
ReplyDeleteJe viens juste de recevoir cette pseudo facture de 1330$ pour 3 ans de publication.... pour un logo qui n'a pas été accepté par l'OPIC il y a deux ans déjà. Une adresse à
ReplyDeleteMontréal sur l'enveloppe de retour et une de la France sur celle de réception??? Belle arnaque en vue.
We have an address from their mailing:
ReplyDelete157 Adelaide St. West
Suite 443
Toronto, ON M5H 4E7 as per their mailing.
Not only do they want payment, they want access to your bank information for electronic transfer and if you use American Express, they want the Verification Numbers of the back of the card! Nice try!
Somebody in the Big Smoke should visit this address at:
ReplyDelete157 Adelaide St. West
Suite 443
Toronto, ON M5H 4E7
and see whassup...
and let us know.
I am tempted to send them payment.
ReplyDeleteIN MONOPOLY MONEY!! HO-HO-HO
Who IS lookup on the domain name finds an address of:
ReplyDeleteRegistrant:
Monika Kindle (monika_kindle@yahoo.com)
Trademark Info Corporation, AG
Alte Churerstrasse 45
Balzers, 9496
LI
00423-384-1077
Domain Name: trademark-info.net
Administrative, Billing Contact:
Monika Kindle (monika_kindle@yahoo.com)
Trademark Info Corporation, AG
Alte Churerstrasse 45
Balzers, 9496
LI
00423-384-1077
Technical Contact:
Registrar Support (domains@srsrenewals.com)
SRSRenewals.com
250 H Street #565
Blaine, WA 98230-4033
US
+1.800-657-8704
Thankyou for your post, I reviewed these and determined they were scams as trademarks are registered with the government. These could slip through the cracks though and these characters should be reported. I wonder if their office is located in a living room somewhere far far away.
ReplyDeleteThe letter doesn't say what are you going to pay for, besides a "publication" but still, looks official and real (the scam is!). Ours has a very OLD version of one of our logos.
ReplyDeleteEven though it is a scam, it is a service that these people are offering, registering your trade mark on their web site. Well, if it works for you!
ReplyDeleteNice cash if you can get it!
Remember the (possibly apocryphal) story of the guy who advertised in the New York Times "If you don't pay me (?) xxx dollars, I will tell everyone your secret". Apparently he (she?) made a lot of money.
They have now posted their mailing address as
ReplyDeleteTrademark Info Corporation
3495 Cambie Street
Box 405
Vancouver BC V5Z 4R3
Hi, I just want to warn about these scams in Mexico, I got here through google, and im pretty sure this information will be useful for someone else, here is the info:
ReplyDeleteTRADEMARK INFO CORP.
Regus Torre Siglum, Insurgentes Sur No 1898, Piso 12 y 14, Col. Florida/CP 01020, México D.F.
e-mail: office@trademark-info.net
www.trademark-info.net
Fax: 00-423-3841889
Me too! I just received this letter and had to Google it, luckily I found this website and I know for sure it's a scam.
ReplyDeleteSi estas en Mexico y recibes una carta de Trademark Info Corp, ignorala no debes de pagar, es una farsa, el unico autorizado para el registro es el IMPI (Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Intelectual), lo peor del caso que la informacion que me ponen en la carta es informacion personal que la obtuvieron del IMPI que se supone que es confidencial , viva mexico.
I got one of those "invoices" today! $1530CAD...
ReplyDelete2348 Chemin Lucerne, Bureau 537
Ville Mont-Royal, QC
H3H 2J8
Shameless hustlers... The sad part is it must work, otherwise they wouldn't do it!
Our business just received one of these invoices and thank goodness we recognized it as a scam right away! First clues were no phone number and fax number was international....but had a Toronto address!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this - we just received one today.
ReplyDeleteI HAVE JUST RECEIVED THIS INVOICE, AND FOR A MOMENT THOUGHT THAT CIPO WAS SENDING THIS. I AM LOCATED IN VANCOUVER, BC. HOW AND WHERE DO WE REPORT THIS TO?
ReplyDeleteJust got one of these. Looked at their website and figured it was a scam.
ReplyDeleteGlad I did the extra search to see this post and confirm :)
Just received one today... My true comments were blocked by the blog author :) So you get what Im saying, DON'T PAY THEM!!!
ReplyDeleteI'am a lawyer from Mexico, two of my clients have just received two invoices, it appears that they won't stop.
ReplyDeletewe received an invoice for 1,615 today. still scamming. they are using vancouver address on cambie street, no phone.
ReplyDeleteJune 7th, 2011 two "invoices" in today's post from Trademark Info Corp at the Vancouver address.
ReplyDeleteStill at it!
I'm based in Victoria BC and received one today. Funny thing is I'm having a meeting with the CEO of the Better Business Bureau this afternoon so something to discuss!!!
ReplyDeleteI got an invoice today for $1615.00 Look so real and legitimate. Their address is at 157 Adelaide Street West, Suite 443, Toronto, Ontario M5H 4E7
ReplyDeleteGlad I search on this company...what a scam!
Just got one today in toronto for $1600.
ReplyDeleteLetter is addressed at 157 Adelade Street West Suite 443 Toronto ontario M5H 4E7.
Just got one today in Montreal, Quebec for $1615. Letter is addressed at 2348 Chemin Lucerne, Bureau 537, Ville Mont-Royal (Montreal), Quebec, H3R 2J8.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else who has posted, I am also glad I looked this up before doing anything.
Scammers are still at it.
ReplyDeleteAs it states in the 'invoice', without setting out clearly what exactly the service is:
"This publication is an elective service and does not substitute for registration nor prolong the validity of this mark with CIPO. The company assumes no liability either for the accuracy or completeness of the registered information or for trade-mark protection."
Don't be sucked in !
I'm amazed that they're still at it and haven't been shut down! This article appeared in 2008. Thanks for the warning!!
ReplyDeleteJust got mine in the mail today. Thankfully, I work with good advisors who sent me your link regarding these dirtbags. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteFYI, 157 Adelade Street West Suite 443 would be box 443 at OfficeXtension Business Centre, which is the actual business at 157 Adelade. In other words it is no more than a mailbox. See: http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&q=157+Adelade+Street+West+toronto&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=157+Adelaide+St+W,+Toronto,+Toronto+Division,+Ontario+M5H+3B9&mrt=rblall&sll=43.648889,-79.384999&sspn=0.000000,0.000000&start=10&ll=43.64896,-79.385008&spn=0.00151,0.003677&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=43.648988,-79.384888&panoid=CKTwwFnOs0y4NbYvC9OyOw&cbp=12,194.78,,0,2.64
ReplyDeleteI am sure the other "offices" are much the same. Yes, I received one as well.
We received one in the mail today for $1615 same Adelaide Street addy - I figured it was a scam but nice to confirm it on websites such as this. Only one that should be asking for funds is the Government of Canada and they already did on registration - poor companies that are falling for this scam!
ReplyDeleteI just print off what I think of them and mail it in their envelope, no return address and no postage. The post office can't give it back to you (no return address), the post office has to forward it and they have to pay the postage to see what I think of them.
ReplyDeleteYears ago a company was doing this with what looked like a Tele-Direct invoice (yellow pages), I sent them an invoice for my time to look over their proposal. The next year when I received another of their phony invoices I sent them another invoice and a reminder that they had not paid last years invoice yet. Didn't work !
ReplyDeleteWOW! I just received one of these yesterday from the 157 Adelaide Street address. I didn't look very closely until now, but I hoped the registration was optional considering I really don't want to part with $1615. Needless to say, when I looked at the invoice more closely I realized it was likely not a mandatory payment, but I can't believe it is an outright scam! Hopefully everyone that receives this will Google and find this info before sending payment to a mailbox!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I register a trade mark I get a bunch of mail, some companies that want to represent me, they will try to convince you can't do it yourself, if you’re not sure you should have looked for an agent first. The rest should be viewed with suspicion. I got one today for $1615.00 also. I hope no one falls for this scam.
ReplyDeleteYes 1615.00$ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteReceived from
2348 Chemin Lucerne, Bureau 537
Ville Mont-Royal, QC
H3H 2J8
Our company got two of these today and one of the trademarks wasn't even ours. Both bills for $1615. Based on past similar scams I Googled right away and had my suspicions confirmed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the posting. I hate to imagine they are making $$ at this!
Received 2 bills today so it looks like they have done a mailer with the 157 Adleaide st address. As it was suspicious I googled right away - they even use a UK address in their printed stamp so either they are mailed from teh UK or Canada Post is getting scammmed as well
ReplyDeleteJust received one of these letters with a trademark that isn't even registered to my company. That was my first hint that something fishy was going on. A google search for "Trademark Info corp" led me to this blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for saving me hours of stress and head aches. I love the internet!
Bill received today for $1615... for a trademark we do own.... but a quick search by finance told me we had never made payment to this company before. It took me seconds to find out this company is a scam - Thanks GOOGLE!!
ReplyDeleteGot mine after the postal dispute. A UK ad mail franking for a CIPO transaction...?
ReplyDeleteNice try MFers. I'll send you the reply - too bad it's not postage paid, or I'd go find a cinder block and mail it.
We just received one of these bogus invoice in Vancouver. Thanks to your post, I confirmed it was a scam right away.
ReplyDeleteReceived one as well for $1615 with the Adelaide address. Insane!!
ReplyDeleteAnd now, almost FOUR years later, they're still at it. Though it would seem that we are now being offered it at a discounted rate of $1,485.
ReplyDeleteIn looking at these posts it appears these guys have been taking a rest but are now back at it. I received 2 invoices today each for $1485 and decided to google it because I have never heard of the company. Thank you
ReplyDeletealso got one today $ 1485
ReplyDeletethanks for the blog
Just received an invoice today July 9th for $1485. I smelled a scam coming just like all those IBD directories etc..
ReplyDeleteSending Monopoly money is indeed a good idea. But why bother.
Thank Howard for making this page.
Rec'd one in Red Deer today...losers!
ReplyDeleteJuly 10. Received one in the mail today for CAD $1485.00. Letter dated June 14. The letter looks so official that I first thought it is a statement of registration from CIPO. Suckers. Do not send them money. Trademark Info Corp, 157 Adelaide Street West Suite 443, Toronto. No phone number, fax 423-384-1889 (is it in States?). Their web site is a total scam. no reputable trademarks listed (try Coca Cola for example)
ReplyDeleteYes 1485.00$ for me.
ReplyDeleteReceived from
2348 Chemin Lucerne, Bureau 537
Ville Mont-Royal, QC
H3H 2J8
I've called at CIPO and they told me to ignore that letter.
Please advise other people you know who have Trade mark to not fall into this trap!
June 14th 2012.... received one for $1485.00, thought it was real! only realized it was a scam when trying to find out why it was costing me that much for a two year coverage and stumbled upon this. thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe company I work for in Mexico City just got an "invoice" just like this one! I can belive these suckers have been doing this for so long!!
ReplyDeleteI will go forward to Profeco in México to see if something can be done!
Big scam, received invoice for $1485.00 September 17/12 but was dated June 14/12, glad I found this site. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteFrom Toronto
Received an invoice of $1485 CAD from 'Trademark Info Corp' (157 Adelaide, Toronto) today. I applied for my Trademark myself which is already published. The letter didn't make sense to me at first sight. Glad I found this site. Will review my options on how these guys can have their life-lines cut off before hurting someone for their scam.
ReplyDeletePlease send them the invoice back in the self addressed envelope, with a stamp. If enough persons did it, it would be real fun :-)
ReplyDeleteYep, me too. Good think I sign off on all IT invoices and this one was flagged as suspicicious from the onset.
ReplyDeleteJust got one in the mail from their 157 Adelaide Street suite 157 no telephone number just a fax number they also requested i pay the sum of $1485.00 i just notify my lawyer who inform me to burn this notice. May be i'll frame it for good luck PLEASE BE CAREFUL MY PEOPLE.
ReplyDeleteJust got one today. Same as above $1485. Keep safe. There are cons everywhere.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this web info, we recieved one today too.
ReplyDeleteJust got one "payment reminder" today. BEWARE!
ReplyDeleteJust got one here in MEXICO. Beware of these "payment reminders"
ReplyDeleteI received an invoice today - July 2 2015 from these people for $1,575.00 and it says that my registration was filed March 18 2014 and they want me to pay to cover it until 2017.
ReplyDeleteWhen you register a trademark it is yours... forever. You don't pay every year.
Andyes - no phone number is given just a fax number which is not a Canadian number
What a scam!!
I also received an invoice today. Of course it is a scam, I google it and I was surprised to see from the comments above for how long they have been in business: 8 years! Did anyone report them? I think to RCMP and BBB.
ReplyDeleteThey're still at it. Received two today for $1,580 each. They are now "INDAB CORP" at 157 Adelaide Street West, Suite 443.
ReplyDeleteYes, they are still at it. Just throw it in the garbage! Don't get scammed!
ReplyDeleteJust received an invoice for $1,580 also.
ReplyDeleteTake a copy of invoice and send to ic.contact-contact.ic@canada.ca
Link to scam trademark info from Canada.ca
https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr03926.html
Luckily to google this message and surely it's a scam invoice. Unbelievable the group could run for such long years.
ReplyDelete