NATIONWIDE INFRINGED UPON’

Nationwide filed a federal trademark infringement suit against Florida-based companies, which, using the names Nationwide Insurance Group Inc. and The Nationwide Companies, recently started to offer financial and insurance services under the Nationwide mark, including via the Internet. Nationwide filed for a preliminary injunction in Federal District Court in Columbus. Nationwide is requesting that the Florida-based companies cease using the name and trademark; surrender for destruction all copies of materials bearing the Nationwide name; advise all state insurance regulatory bodies and policyholders that the companies are not connected or affiliated with Nationwide; pay compensatory and treble damages to Nationwide; and turn over all domain names, including the word Nationwide.