|
|
|
|
Press
Release |
Contact: |
Yonkers, NY-September 18, 2000-Faced with a
legal motion for dismissal filed by Consumers Union (CU), the
publisher of Consumer Reports, the makers of Korbel California
Champagne have withdrawn a lawsuit they filed against CU over
publication of a November 1999 Consumer Reports article judging
champagnes and sparkling wines.
Korbel withdrew its suit before the federal
judge in Los Angeles had a chance to rule on CU's motion to dismiss
the case, a case which CU believes was "frivolous, a gross misuse of
the courts, and an insidious attempt to silence an honest critic," as
stated by Dr. David Pittle, CU's Senior Vice President and Technical
Director.
Contrary to claims made today in Korbel's press
statements, Consumer Reports has published no corrections nor
made any concessions as a result of the lawsuit.
"We stand fully behind the story we published
and the testing we conducted. Korbel's lawsuit had no legal merit,
and their press statements about the case are filled with
distortions," said Dr. Pittle.
Consumers Union has asked its attorneys to
investigate its rights to recover from Korbel its costs, expenses,
and fees and to counterclaim for damages caused by Korbel's knowingly
filing this frivolous lawsuit and issuing subsequent press statements
that question CU's integrity.
Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, is an independent, nonprofit testing and information-gathering organization, serving only the consumer. We are a comprehensive source of unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health, nutrition, and other consumer concerns. Since 1936, our mission has been to test products, inform the public, and protect consumers.
