Judge Orders Pennzoil To Pull Ads

Friday, October 13th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

HOUSTON (AP) â€” A federal judge has ordered Pennzoil Quaker State Co. to pull advertisements featuring Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, saying the ads are false and misleading.

In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Alfred M. Wolin called the Houston-based company's national ad campaign ``repugnant'' and a violation of federal advertising laws. He will decide later whether the company must pay damages, including punitive damages.

Competitor Castrol North America, based in Wayne, N.J., filed the lawsuit that prompted the New Jersey judge's ruling.

The ads, featured on television and Pennzoil's Web site, claim that Pennzoil's product is superior to other motor oils, including Castrol.

Favre rubs Castrol oil under his eyes at the end of the ads, implying that the product is good only as the black greasepaint used to reduce glare during games.

``Castrol is gratified that the court has acted to halt Pennzoil's false advertising campaign,'' Paul Waterman, a Castrol general manager, said in a statement.

Pennzoil spokesman Ray Scippa said the company would appeal.

The two companies have had many legal battles over ad claims. In 1992, Wolin ordered Pennzoil to pull five television ads featuring ``sweeping and untrue'' testimonials from professional race-car drivers.