Red Cross Trying To Shut Down My Website

Canadian Doctor Rating Website Logo Illegal?

[dbdev]

I own and operate a Canadian doctor rating website which has grown at an extrememly rapid rate over the past 6 months and currently hovers around 35k visitors per month.

The Red Cross Of Canada has sent me a letter stating the site is in violation of Internation law regarding the red cross symbol and that legal action will commence if I don't cease and desist using the logo.

The site was designed by a subcontractor who perhaps wasn't aware of the infringement? As it turns out we are in violation here and no one can use the red cross symbol which obviously is a red cross on a white background.

Can I use a white cross with a red background then and call it a day?

[Staffa]

"a white cross with a red background" is the flag of Switzerland and the model for the Red Cross flag which is the inverted image.

[rj87uk]

Why don't you just design a new logo - something different and call it yours?

[akmac]

Elongate the horizontal arm on one side. The Finnish will probably leave you alone.

On second thought, best design your own.

[jtara]

Go with the pole with the snakes. What's that called? I suppose there's some specific version that somebody has a trademark on, but otherwise I think it's a pretty generic symbol - like a barber pole for doctors. ;)

[prfb]

jtara - Good idea. Caduceus.
[en.wikipedia.org...]

And there's even a nice version released into public domain:
[en.wikipedia.org...]

[dbdev]

mint idea... thanks jtara and prfb for the link!