Vernon based Info-Tel has been ordered to pay a Kelowna businessman $50,000 for defamation.

In December of 2006, Maple Leaf Directories owner Mark McSeveney filed suit against Info-Tel alleging his reputation and business were damaged by an Info-Tel bulletin entitled "Buyer Beware".

It contained accusations that Justice Alison Beames characterized as "false and defamatory."

Maple Leaf is battling Info-Tel for territory in the Okanagan.

It's community directory is distributed annually to homes and businesses from Oyama to Peachland, and is involved in expanding to include Vernon, Salmon Arm and Revelstoke.