ZEROREZ Files Federal Lawsuit Against Distinctive Cleaning

RICHFIELD, Minn., Aug. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys for ZEROREZ®, Minnesota's leader in residential carpet cleaning services, filed a federal lawsuit against Distinctive Cleaning in the Minnesota District Court on Monday, August 26. The complaint, which cites trademark infringement, false advertising and deceptive practices, documents many instances in which Distinctive Cleaning has misled consumers through online advertising, digital coupons and deceptive claims made by employees.

ZEROREZ®, a franchise of Zerorez® Franchising Systems, Inc., uses patented Zerorez® cleaning technologies to clean carpets and upholstery without leaving dirt-attracting residue behind. ZEROREZ® is the only Minnesota carpet cleaner licensed to use the patented Zerorez® process and the registered trademark, "Zerorez."

As the complaint states, for more than a year Distinctive Cleaning has been purchasing Google AdWords advertising so the Distinctive Cleaning website link and phone number appear when a consumer searches Google for carpet cleaning services in the Twin Cities area. Distinctive Cleaning has also purchased advertising on the keywords "ZEROREZ," "Zerorez," and "Zero rez" so their information appears when someone searches for those specific terms. Some of Distinctive Cleaning's advertisements include the phrase "ZERO REZ Carpet Cleaning" and appear to provide a link to the ZEROREZ® website; others claim to offer "Zero res – same results, less money."  ZEROREZ® sent a cease and desist letter to Distinctive Cleaning on April 20, 2012 but did not receive a response; the advertisements were changed temporarily to remove "ZERO REZ," but soon the misleading advertisements reappeared.

The complaint further documents several instances in which Distinctive Cleaning employees told prospective Zerorez clients that its cleaning method is "exactly the same" as that used by ZEROREZ®, with one employee even claiming that he worked for ZEROREZ®. Many clients have reported attempting to book appointments with ZEROREZ®, only to discover that they had actually booked their appointments with Distinctive Cleaning.

Michael Kaplan, one of the ZEROREZ® owners, said, "We understand there's a very high level of trust involved when a client invites us into their home, and we value and respect that trust. That's why we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that our clients will find true and accurate information about our patented Zerorez® products and services online and elsewhere. At this point, it is unfortunately necessary that we take the next legal step to put a stop to the kinds of deceptive marketing practices that have been misleading our clients and the general public."

ZEROREZ® has served the Twin Cities Metro Area since 2005 with a patented, environmentally safe cleaning technology known as Empowered Water™ that eliminates the need for harsh soaps, shampoos and detergents. ZEROREZ® cleans carpet, tile and grout, upholstery, area rugs, air ducts and has a Water Damage and Restoration division to service both Residential and Commercial clients. ZEROREZ® is certified by the Clean Trust and was awarded Platinum ratings for both equipment and technology by the Carpet and Rug Institute. Honored with Inc. Magazine's "Hire Power Award," ZEROREZ® currently employs 143 technicians and team members in Minnesota. For more information on ZEROREZ® cleaning products and services, visit http://www.zerorezminnesota.com/.

Contact: Kate Monson, [email protected]
612.916.2649

SOURCE ZEROREZ®