CIBT Subsidiary Takes Legal Action Against Trademark Violator

Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCwire) - CIBT Education Group Inc. (“CIBT” or the “Company”) (TSX: MBA, OTCQX International: MBAIF) reports that its subsidiary Global Education City Management Corp. (GEC), has this week commenced action in the Federal Court of Canada (Vancouver registry) against several defendants seeking an injunction and other remedies for breach of GEC’s trademarks, and for the tort of passing off.  The defendants include New Continental Developments Inc. (“NCI”), related companies, and officers, directors and managers of those companies.

Global Education City Management Corp (“GEC”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of CIBT.  GEC owns the rights in Canada to the names “GEC” and Global Education City”, both in the English and the Chinese language, and has for many years carried on business using those names providing student housing and services relating to the daily living of students arriving to study in Vancouver from across Canada and abroad. 

GEC in its claim alleges that NCI obtained inside information about GEC’s business while negotiating a potential joint venture, and used that information and the name “Global Education City” to solicit unsuspecting investors, international students and business opportunities. 

NCI claims on its website, “As a successful B.C. business with proven track record and roots from China, New Continental launched the development of Global Education City project to answer the rising need for international education market in lower mainland area.” The fact is NCI as yet has not established a single unit of student housing in Canada.  In addition, NCI is not registered nor licensed as a school with any regulatory body in Canada or China.  GEC claims that NCI is holding itself out as New Continental Education Group, and that using the name Global Education City offering programs such as university degrees, career college programs, and language school programs adversely impacts the good name of Global Education City, a trademark owned by GEC.

While the mere fact of that competition may not be unlawful, GEC alleges that NCI has tried to trade on GEC’s good name by holding itself out as being connected with GEC, and used GEC’s identity including its trademarks – going so far as to propose setting up its facilities within 2 city blocks of one of GEC’s properties in Richmond, BC. 

Since a person cannot lawfully steal another person’s business identity, GEC is optimistic the court will restrain what it says is NCI’s unlawful conduct, and it looks forward to prosecuting the action vigorously to a successful conclusion and preserve the interest of our shareholders at large.  GEC demanded that NCI cease its unlawful conduct but NCI refused, leaving GEC with no option but to go to court.

About CIBT Education Group:

CIBT Education Group Inc. is one of the largest education and student housing investment companies in Canada, focused on the global education market since 1994.  Listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and U.S OTCQX International, CIBT owns business and language colleges, student housing properties, recruitment centers and corporate offices at 44 locations in Canada and abroad.  Total annual enrollment for the group exceeds 15,000 students.  Its education providers include Sprott Shaw College (established in 1903), Sprott Shaw Language College, Vancouver International College and CIBT School of Business.  Through these schools, CIBT offers business and management programs in healthcare, hotel management, language training, and over 150 career, language and vocational programs.  CIBT's property investments are held by Global Education City Holdings Inc., an investment holding and management company focused on developing education related real estate such as student hotels, serviced apartments and education super centers totalling over $600 million.  CIBT also owns Global Education Alliance (“GEA”) and Irix Design Group ("Irix Design"). GEA recruits international students for many elite kindergarten, primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities in North America.  Irix Design is a leading design and advertising company based in Vancouver, Canada. Visit us online and watch our corporate video at www.cibt.net.

For more information contact:

Toby Chu

Chairman, President & CEO

CIBT Education Group Inc.

Investor Relations Contact: 1-604-871-9909 extension 310 or | Email: info@cibt.net

To follow CIBT Education Group Inc. on your favorite social media platform or financial websites, please click on the icons below.

Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com

Copyright © 2017 FSCwire