Honk if you're annoyed: NHL lawyers have ordered a Vancouver Honda dealership to stop using window decals pledging support for the Canucks.
Kingsway Honda general manager Doug Lum says he received a letter from the league on Wednesday, the day after the Canucks squeaked past the Chicago Blackhawks in a tense Game 7 matchup.
"I was kind of excited," he said. "I didn't know what I was getting from the NHL."
But the letter turned out to be a cease and desist order asking him to remove a large Canucks logo and the words "Go Canucks Go" from his lot.
Even his decorative balloons, coloured green, blue and white, were a potential copyright issue, Lum said.
"They said any colour combination also infringes," he said. "I was shocked."
Many local businesses have set up similar window displays supporting the Canucks' playoff run, but the letter alleges Lum's decals could give the appearance of an "official relationship."
Canucks Sports & Entertainment issued a statement Friday saying the organization embraces the enthusiasm of fans, as well as local businesses – to an extent.
Certain activities "create the false impression there is a commercial relationship between CS&E and the business owner," it argues. Such activities can include ticket and merchandise giveaways, themed events and extensive storefront signage.
"Local businesses seeking to generate an unauthorized promotional association with Canucks Sports & Entertainment will be notified of any violations," the statement said.
Lum says he understands the league's problem with the logo, but insists the display was only intended to drum up support – and described the NHL's reaction as "kind of silly."
"Their own slogan is, ‘We are all Canucks.' So, are we not all Canucks? Are we all Canucks? We're trying to help them and that's all we want to do."
The dealership will be complying with the league's request, replacing the display with a less contentious message of support.
