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'CertainTeed v. Seattle Roof Brokers': Insert 'Hang Out a Shingle' Joke Here

By Eric Lipman

Michael Atkins at the Seattle Trademark Lawyer blog reported last night on a permanent injunction entered by a federal judge in the Western District of Washington that should teach those nasty roof brokers not to go disparaging asphalt shingles. What's a "roof broker?" Well, according to the defendant's website, a roof broker is an independent, unbiased third party that will get you the best darn deal available on a new roof. Based on my rather unsophisticated investigation (read: Google), it seems to be a Washington state phenomenon. So I'm glad I don't have to worry about that. The lawsuit arose because of some less than flattering statements about CertainTeed's roofing materials contained on the Seattle Roof Brokers website. For example: that CertainTeed?s product ?will not be able to pass a resale inspection after 15 to 20 years?; that ?one roofing contractor reports submitting over 600 warranty claims to CertainTeed within the last four years?; and CertainTeed?s product ?have a history of premature failure.? CertainTeed didn't quite agree with these assertions, and sued for false advertising and violation of consumer protection laws. And won. The injunction entered by the court on Monday, as Atkins points out, was refreshing in the flexibility...

Full post as published by Legal Blog Watch on July 01, 2010 (boomark / email).