LONDON: The high court ruled that a rival damaged the reputation of insulation specialist Kingspan and breached its trademarks by using misleading videos to support fire safety claims.

The case hinged on a Rockwool-made video of a "fire test" and a claim that its products are safer than those of Kingspan. The video was used as part of a marketing roadshow.

Kingspan took its rival to court, which yesterday ruled that the test and video were misleading and dismissed Rockwool's claim that the tests were appropriate and accurately carried out.

Justice Kitchin, in the Chancery Division of the High Court (England and Wales), said "I believe Rockwool did indeed represent in each of the road shows that Kingspan's products, when installed, are not safe, present a real fire danger with significant associated fire fighting problems and have dramatic implications regarding escape times and structural damage. It is accepted by Rockwool that the representation, if made, was false."