Independent Health in Buffalo, N.Y., filed a trademark-infringement suit last month in U.S. District Court to stop Blue Cross and Blue Shield from using the word "Advantage" in advertising its new heath maintenance organization. The suit seeks an injunction, triple damages and the surrender of any profits from ads for Community Blue Advantage, which was unveiled earlier this month.
Independent Health claims it has been marketing its own Advantage Plan since April 1991. Erie County legislators, meanwhile, lined up labor support Tuesday to fight the new Blue Cross Advantage Plan on grounds it jeopardizes Erie County Medical Center. (Independent Health, 310/786-655)