Trademark & Legal Notice

Last Updated: October 2, 2026

Trademark Ownership

The trademark BUG ZOO (Canadian Trademark Registration No. TMA593492, Application No. 1039266) is the exclusive property of International Bug Zoos Inc., a British Columbia corporation.

The registration covers entomology education for the general public and school classes, guidance on handling insects, answering questions about insects, and exhibits of live insects. The CIPO record states use in Canada since July 16, 1997. View the official Canadian trademark registration.

International Bug Zoos Inc. is owned and operated by Carol W. Maier, a professional entomologist with over 25 years of experience in public insect education. Ms. Maier founded and operated the original Bug Zoo facility in Victoria, British Columbia from 1997 to 2014, pioneering Canada's regulatory framework for exotic insect imports in direct collaboration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Termination of Trademark License

On May 1, 2014, International Bug Zoos Inc. entered into a Trademark License Agreement with Victoria Bug Zoo Inc. (BC Corp. No. BC0988968), permitting the use of the BUG ZOO trademark under specific terms and conditions.

International Bug Zoos Inc. issued notice terminating the Trademark License Agreement effective February 3, 2025, citing material breaches documented in its correspondence.

The termination materials were submitted to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) on February 6, 2025 (File No. H001033421). Receipt of those materials by CIPO is not a court ruling on the parties’ dispute.

International Bug Zoos Inc. does not authorize the former licensee’s continued use of the BUG ZOO trademark and maintains that this use infringes its rights. IBZ reserves its rights and remedies.

Enforcement History

International Bug Zoos Inc. has a documented history of enforcing its trademark rights. In 2006, the Supreme Court of British Columbia issued a Consent Order (Case No. 04 3867, Victoria Registry) against a previous infringer, requiring cessation of trademark use, payment of damages, and public disclaimer of affiliation.

In October 2025, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) accepted International Bug Zoos Inc. into its Intellectual Property Rights Program (RFA0560). Under this program, CBSA officers are authorized to detain goods suspected of infringing the BUG ZOO trademark at Canadian ports of entry.

Authorized Use

BugZoo.com is the official website and online store operated by International Bug Zoos Inc. As of the date of this notice, IBZ has not authorized third-party businesses to represent themselves as its licensees.

A website, account, listing or advertisement using the words BUG ZOO does not by itself establish an affiliation with IBZ. Please contact us to verify any claim of licensing, sponsorship, endorsement or an official connection with our business.

IBZ objects to use of its name, branding or original materials that misleads people about who operates a business, supplies a product or authorizes a service. Original text, photographs and illustrations owned by IBZ may not be reproduced without permission except where the law permits.

Report Suspected Misuse

If you find a website, account or product listing that appears to copy our material or claim an unauthorized connection with us, please email the exact link and a screenshot, with the date you saw it. You do not need to contact or confront the account yourself. Please do not include passwords, payment-card details or other sensitive information.

For reports or licensing questions, please contact:

International Bug Zoos Inc.
Carol W. Maier, Owner/CEO
P.O. Box 41076, RPO Woodgrove
Nanaimo, BC V9T 6M7, Canada
Email: bug.zoo@outlook.com

Legal Disclaimer

This notice is provided for informational purposes and to establish a public record of trademark ownership and enforcement. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice. International Bug Zoos Inc. reserves all rights and remedies available under Canadian trademark law, contract law, and common law, including but not limited to claims for trademark infringement, passing off, breach of contract, and damages.

All rights reserved. © 1997–2026 International Bug Zoos Inc.