Glasslam files federal lawsuit against Edgetech IG

Nebula Glass International d/b/a Glasslam, Pompano Beach, Fla.,has filed a lawsuit against Edgetech IG Inc., Cambridge, Ohio,in the United States District Court Southern District of Florida alleging violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act, the Clayton Antitrust Act, Florida anti-trust statutory provisions, defamation, violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, and breach of contract, according to a March 23 release.

"Hopefully, this will make these people realize that, in the long run, they cannot stop quality competitive products from reaching the market." said Steve Howes, CEO, Glasslam, in the release.

Both Edgetech and Glasslam manufacture foam spacer products for the production of insulating glass. The suit alleges that Edgetech has attempted to block Glasslam's entry into the foam spacer business by a number of means.

In papers filed with the court, Glasslam states that Edgetech threatened to stop doing business with raw material and equipment suppliers that supplied or worked with Glasslam. The suit also alleges that Edgetech attempted to pressure trade magazines to limit press coverage of its spacer products.

Glasslam also charges that Edgetech employees used their positions within the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance, Ottawa, ON,and the Insulating Glass Certification Council, Sackets Harbor, N.Y.,to make it more difficult for window and insulating glass manufacturers to get their products certified if they used Glasslam's products.Finally, the suit also alleges that Edgetech attempted to prevent customers from using Glasslam spacer products by threatening to stop selling to them and also made numerous false claims about Glasslam.

Edgetech officials declined to comment.

The new suit filed by Glasslam follows up on a complaint filed with the Federal Trade Commission in February 2010.