The Canadian National Exhibition Association has told a casino company to stop using the CNE’s name and its signature gate in promotional materials.
In a cease-and-desist letter sent Tuesday, association president Brian Ashton told MGM Resorts and Canadian partner Cadillac Fairview they infringed on the association’s intellectual property rights by using an image of the trademarked Princes’ Gates and the trademarked letters CNE in “various publications,” including a two-page ad that ran in the Star and other newspapers on the weekend.
The association is staunchly opposed to a casino at Exhibition Place. Ashton also objected to a promise in the ad to sponsor and to help improve the 18-day annual fair.
“It concerns the CNEA that the unauthorized use of its images and official marks by MGM/Cadillac Fairview will mislead the public into the mistaken belief that the CNEA is actually part of your proposal or that, at a minimum, the CNEA supports the proposal,” Ashton wrote.
Ashton said the association’s official marks “may” also include “the images of costume characters including our mascot costume ‘Al-Ex.’” He threatened “further communication or action from our legal counsel” if MGM and Cadillac Fairview did not comply.
MGM spokesperson Alan Feldman said in a statement that the companies will “carefully review” the letter and “respond if necessary.”
“We have consistently stated that our vision for an integrated resort on Exhibition Place is subject to the city's approval, and if such approval is granted, we will work with all stakeholders to preserve and enhance the existing uses. We look forward to working with all of those that want to turn Exhibition Place and Ontario Place into iconic tourist destinations that Torontonians can be proud of,” Feldman wrote.
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