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Better Business Bureau, BBB, BBB AUTO LINE, BBBOnLine, and BBB logos are service marks owned by the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. (CBBB). These marks may be used, with certain restrictions, by BBBs and eligible companies participating in BBB programs under a license agreement. Members and companies interested in licensing a logo for its use should contact their BBB for program information and advertising guidelines. Any use of these marks by others must be with the express permission of the CBBB. It is CBBB policy to take action against all unauthorized use of its marks.
In most instances, when we advise a company that it is misusing or infringing on our trademarks, the company readily complies with our request to modify its advertising or web site. From time to time, however, CBBB has had to sue infringers. We also try to advise the public about companies that continue without authorization to use our marks. The internet has made this easier.
Violators
We now have a list on our web site of companies that do not have our permission to use our marks and have refused to comply with repeated requests to stop using them. Please note that this list does not include every company misusing or infringing on our marks, but only those we have contacted many times about their misuse or infringement.
Below are companies that are falsely conveying an affiliation with or sponsorship by the BBB through unauthorized use of its trademarks. These businesses have ignored numerous and repeated requests to modify their advertising or web site by eliminating use of BBB trademarks. For more specific information about each company, including any existing BBB complaints, please contact the BBB specified below.
Company name: Old Bike Barn
Location: Champlain, NY and Montreal, QC, Canada
URL: www.oldbikebarn.com
Problem: This company sells Japanese motorcycle parts and accessories on the Internet.
This company falsely implies BBB affiliation by its unauthorized use of the BBBONLINE RELIABILITY LOGO on its web site. Old Bike Barn has been informed on more than one occasion that the BBBONLINE RELIABILITY LOGO needs to be removed from its web site. This company is not a BBB member and a BBBOnLine Reliability program participant. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system.
Contact: BBB of Buffalo
Company name: Webster’s Home Repair (DBA Webster’s Custom Painting)
Location: Memphis, TN
URL: http://www.realpageslive.com/online/2006/68659_241.jpg
Problem: This company offers commercial and residential painting services and carpentry work. This company displays the BBB TORCH Logo in its Real Pages Live directory advertisements. Webster’s Home Repair has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the Council's trademark from its advertising. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system.
Contact: BBB of Memphis, TN
Company name: D & M Unlimited LLC
Location: Medina, OH
URL: Not applicable. Problem currently exists in print advertising.
Problem: This company, owned and operated by Mr. David Spirnak, provides landscaping design and maintenance services. This company displays the BBB TORCH Logo in its User-Friendly Yellow Pages directory advertisements. D & M Unlimited has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the Council's trademark from its advertising and this company has refused to comply. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system.
Contact: BBB of Akron, OH
Company name: Renaissance Wood Floors
Location: Burton, OH
URL: Not applicable. Problem currently exists in print advertising.
Problem: This company offers wood floor installation and refinishing services. This company displays the BBB TORCH Logo in its Yellowpages.com directory advertisements. Renaissance Wood Floors has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the Council's trademark from its advertising and this company refused to comply. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system.
Contact: BBB of Cleveland, OH
Company name: Work At Home Opportunities Class
Location: Lakewood, OH area
URL: http://www.workops.webs.com/
Problem: This site, owned and operated by Mr. Brett Loeber, purports to offer work at home opportunity work to the public and advertises a work at home opportunity class in Lakewood, Ohio. This site references the Better Business Bureau name without permission. The site operator has been repeatedly asked by the Council to cease use of this trade name and has refused to do so. Mr. Loeber previously operated under the web site http://realworkathomebusiness.webs.com. However, Mr. Loeber chose to reopen another web site under http://www.workops.webs.com/ that also includes the Council’s trademark, thus continuing to use “better business” despite CBBB concerns. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system.
Contact: BBB of Cleveland, Ohio
Company name: Mr. Flood and Fire
Location: Columbus, OH
URL: Not applicable. Problem currently exists in print advertising.
Problem: This company, owned and operated by Mr. Wayne Pounds, offers fire and water damage restoration services. This company displays the BBB TORCH Logo in its Yellowpages.com directory advertisements. Mr. Flood and Fire has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the Council's trademark from its advertising and this company has refused to comply. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system.
Contact: BBB of Columbus, OH
Company name: Best Movers
Location: Unknown
URL: www.best-movers.com
Problem: Best Movers offers moving quotes and mover referral services on the Internet. This company references the Better Business Bureau name on its web site in a manner that implies association with the BBB. Best Movers has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the Council's trademarks from its advertising and the company refused to comply. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system.
Contact: infringement@council.bbb.org
Company name: Homeprice.net
Location: Deerfield Beach, FL
URL: www.homeprice.net
Problem: This company, operated by Patrick Shanahan, sells home and property value reports on the Internet. Homeprice.net falsely implies BBB affiliation through its unauthorized use of the Better Business Bureau name, BBBOnLine and the BBB TORCH Logo on its web site. Homeprice has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the Council’s trademarks from its web site. This company is not a BBB member. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the Better Business Bureau.
Contact: BBB of Southeast Florida
Company name: Loc Tite Interlocking, Inc.
Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario, CANADA
URL: Not applicable.
Problem: Loc Tite Interlocking offers stone setting services in the Toronto, Markham and Richmond Hill areas. Loc Tite Interlocking has been repeatedly asked to remove the CBBB's trademarks from its print advertising and has refused to do so. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the BBB system.
Contact: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada BBB
Company name: Good Life Publishing
Location: Port Orange, FL
URL: Not applicable. Problem currently exists in printed business solicitations materials and company stationeries.
Problem: This company, operated by Greg Howell, operates an advertising-direct mail, business opportunity business. This company displays the BBB TORCH Logo and the BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU name in its printed advertisements and business solicitation. Good Life Publishing has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the CBBB's trademark from its advertising. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the BBB system.
Contact:BBB of Orlando
Company name: Capital Moving Services
Location: Scarborough, Ontario, CANADA
URL:http://www.yellowpages.ca
Problem: This company, operated by Elaina Balduk, offers residential and office moving services in Canada and the U.S. Capital Moving Services falsely implies BBB affiliation by its unauthorized use of the BBB Torch Logo and the BBB name in its yellow pages advertising. The company has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the CBBB's trademarks from its advertising. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the BBB system.
Contact:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada BBB
Company name: Dr. Hart's Apex Animal Hospital
Location: Cleveland, OH
URL: Not applicable. Problem currently exists in print advertising.
Problem: This company provides veterinary hospital and medical services in the Cleveland, Slavic Village, Cuyahoga Heights, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights and Valley View area. This company displays the BBB TORCH Logo in its yellow pages directory advertisements. Dr. Hart's Apex Animal Hospital has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the Council's trademark from its advertising. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the BBB system.
Contact:BBB of Cleveland
Company name: L.A. Limousines, Inc.
Location: Markham, Ontario, CANADA
URL: Not applicable. Problem currently exists in print advertising.
Problem: This company, owned and operated by Toni Rossi, provides limousine rental services. L.A. Limousines, Inc. falsely implies BBB affiliation by its unauthorized use of the BBB Maple Leaf Torch Logo on its print advertising. L.A. Limousines has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the Council's trademarks from its advertising. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the BBB system.
Contact:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada BBB
Company name: Jahluka Inc. Painting & Waterproofing
Location: Daytona, FL
URL: http://www.jahluka.com/about/affiliations/bbb.html
Problem: This company, owned by Jaco Kotze, offers painting and waterproofing services. Jahluka Painting falsely indicates BBB affiliation by its unauthorized use of the BBB name on its web site. This company has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the CBBB's trademark from its advertising. Jahluka Painting is not a BBB member. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the BBB Bureau system.
Contact:BBB of Orlando, FL
Company name: All American Septic
Location: Humble, TX
URL: Not applicable. Problem currently exists in print advertising.
Problem: This company, operated by Bill Starks provides residential and commercial septic installation and repair. This company displays the BBB TORCH Logo in various yellow pages directory and coupon mailer advertisements. All American Septic has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the CBBB's trademark from its advertising. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the BBB system.
Contact:BBB of Houston
Company name: Premier Security and Investigations Academy
Location: Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
URL: Not applicable. Problem currently exists in yellow pages advertising.
Problem: This company, operated by Don Bowlby, offers training for a career in security and investigation. Premier Security and Investigations Academy falsely implies BBB affiliation by its unauthorized use of the BBB Maple Leaf Torch Logo in its yellow pages advertising. The company has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the Council's trademarks from its advertising. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system.
Contact:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada BBB
Company name: AACE Transmission Specialist
Location: Spring, TX and Conroe, TX
URL: Not applicable. Problem currently exists in print advertising.
Problem: This company, operated by Alberto Liz, provides automotive transmission services and repair. This company displays the BBB TORCH Logo in various yellow pages directory advertisements. AACE Transmissions has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the CBBB's trademark from its advertising. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the BBB system.
Contact:BBB of Houston
Company name: Appliance Repair Center
Location: San Diego, CA
URL: Not applicable. Problem currently exists in print advertising.
Problem: This company, owned by Victor Kolesnikov, repairs household appliances. This company displays the BBB TORCH Logo in its SBC Yellow Pages directory advertisements. Appliance Repair Center has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the CBBB's trademark from its advertising. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the BBB system.
Contact:BBB of San Diego, CA
Company name: The Sofa Shoppe Furniture & Carpet
Location: Glendale, Arizona
URL: Not applicable.
Problem: This company, owned and operated by Augoustinos (James) Boukalis, sells retail furniture in the Glendale area. The Sofa Shoppe has been repeatedly asked to remove the BBB membership decal from its place of business and has refused to do so. This company is not a BBB member. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the BBB system.
Contact:BBB of Phoenix
Company name: Putnam Janitorial Services, Inc.
Location: Cincinnati, OH
URL: Not applicable.
Problem: This company, owned by James Putnam, offers janitorial services in the Cincinnati area. Putnam Janitorial Services has been repeatedly asked to remove the BBB membership decal and plaque from its place of business and has refused to do so. Putnam Janitorial is not a BBB member. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the BBB system.
Contact:BBB of Cincinnati, OH
Company name: Hyperactive, Inc.
Location: Beulaville, NC
URL: www.hyperactivehosting.com/BBB-report.php, www.oscommerce-templates.us/, www.scriptlance.com/cgi-bin/freelancers/freelancers.cgi?viewprofile=redfraggle, www.php-freelancers.com/index.php?a=uview&user=5463&&PHPSESSID=oe495ad01283babde...
Problem: This company offers web hosting and domain registration services. Hyperactive Inc. is falsely claiming BBB membership in various Internet postings. Previously, this company was falsely implying BBB affiliation by its unauthorized use of a BBB report on its web site. Upon request from CBBB, the company removed this report from its site but continues to state that it has a satisfactory rating with the BBB. The company has been asked on more than one occasion to remove the reference to its BBB record from its web site. This company is not a BBB member. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the BBB.
Contact:BBB of Raleigh, NC
Company name: Better Business Reviews
Location: Southern California
URL: www.betterbusinessratings.org
Problem: This site purports to review products and services sold on the Internet and sell listings of government auto auction bargains and government grants. Better Business Reviews has been repeatedly asked by the CBBB to cease use of this trade name and has refused to do so. Better Business Reviews previously operated under the web site www.betterbusinessreviews.org. At CBBB's request, this web site was disabled by the Internet Service Provider because the domain name was confusingly similar to CBBB trademarks. However, the companies chose to reopen its web site under www.betterbusinessratings.org, thus continuing to use "better business" despite CBBB concerns. Further investigation has revealed that the owner of this web site is connected to Direct One Communications and Direct American Marketers both of which have been the subject of legal actions filed by Attorney Generals in twenty-nine states. Both companies have unsatisfactory ratings with the BBB due to patterns of unanswered complaints. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with or sponsored by the BBB system.
Contact:CBBB and Colton, CA
Company name: 123Vending.com
Location: Monroe, NC
URL: http://www.woyaa.com/cgi-bin/linkssql/review.cgi?ID=532919&add_review=1, http://www.vending.8m.com/, http://vending-machines.blogspot.com/ and http://www.myvendingsite.com/links/ca-canada-machine-vending.html
Problem: This company, owned by Tommy Funderburke, sells and services vending machines on the Internet. 123Vending.com falsely claims BBB membership on the Internet even though it is not member of the BBB. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the BBB system.
Contact:BBB of Charlotte, NC
Company name: Kirkland Contractors
Location: Houston, TX
URL: Not applicable.
Problem: This company, owned by Henry Kirkland, offers residential remodeling, painting, plumbing and electrical renovations and repair in the Houston area. Kirkland Contractors has been repeatedly asked to remove the BBB membership decal from its place of business and company vehicle and has refused to do so. Kirkland Contractors is not a BBB member. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with the BBB system.
Contact:BBB of Houston
Company name: Better Business Institute of North America
Location: Coleyville, TX
URL: http://www.bbi-northamerica.com/
Problem: This business provides business consulting services and educational materials to businesses and consumers. CBBB has requested without success that the Better Business Institute change its trade name to one that is not confusingly similar to the Council's registered service mark BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. Consumers should be aware that this business is not in any way affiliated with or sponsored by the BBB system.
Contact:infringement@council.bbb.org |
