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Publishers Directory
WTP ServiceAbout
Important information
- Additional Info:On March 12, 2019 BBB received a Scam Tracker report about WTP Services.
The report contained information which prompted BBB to look more closely at the trademark database offered by WTP Services.
The report indicated that a small business had recently begun the process of registering their trademark. Shortly after submitting the trademark to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) the business received what they thought was an invoice from WTP Services. In small print on the letter, it stated, in part: "The publication of the public registration of your trademark is the basis of our offer. We offer you the registration of your brand in our private database. .... Please note that this private publication is not linked to official notifications and is not a registration of government and we do not have a business relationship yet. ... This is not an invoice. You are not required to pay the above amount unless you accept this offer."
BBB then contacted CIPO for information, and they replied:
"The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has been made aware of several incidents of what appears to be fee solicitations from private sector companies with respect to Canadian intellectual property applications. These invoices are unrelated to the processing of applications by CIPO.
Please disregard invoices concerning an application filed with CIPO from anyone other than CIPO or your agent.
You can also notify the Office of the Competition Bureau by means of its online complaint form at http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/frm-eng/GH% c3%89T-7TDNA5. "
This Trademark Database offer closely resembles offers made by fraudulent Business Directories. Both use letters that appear to be invoices and the fine print is difficult to understand.
You may read more BBB tips about directory scams at the following link: https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/2108-bbb-tip-directory-scams