Safelite Must Face Claim That Windshield Repair Ads Are False

Safelite Group Inc. must face Ultra Bond Inc.'s Lanham Act claim, alleging that Safelite’s assertion that windshields with cracks over six inches should be replaced, rather than repaired, was false advertising, the Sixth Circuit said.

Ultra Bond alleged Safelite’s false and misleading statements to insurance companies and consumers decreased and injured consumer and commercial demand for its products. Safelite moved to dismiss, with the district court ruling that its statements to insurers and customers counted as commercial advertising, but statements made in written brochures didn’t.

Safelite counter-claimed that Ultra Bond violated federal and state trade secret laws—namely, the Ohio Uniform ...