Penn sues Dunlop over tennis ball claim

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Tennis ball maker Penn is taking exception to some advertising claims by Dunlop and has served its rival with a federal lawsuit.

Penn Racquet Sports Inc. and parent, Head USA Inc., filed a claim of false advertising Monday in U.S. District Court in Connecticut, claiming Dunlop International Ltd. and Dunlop Sports Group Americas, Inc. have been misleading the public by labeling Dunlop balls as the "World's No. 1 Ball," and boasting that it has a 70 percent share of the global tennis ball market.

Penn argues Dunlop does not have the largest worldwide share, and shouldn't be allowed to use the No. 1 claim.

Dunlop, according to the lawsuit, agreed to stop using that wording, but has not.

Neither side responded to messages left Monday seeking comment.