P&G not in league with the Devil: court WASHINGTON (AFP) - Procter and Gamble Co. does not worship Satan, according to a US court ruling that revolves around a decades-old urban myth targeting the world's biggest consumer goods company.
P&G said late Monday it had won 19.25 million dollars in a civil suit brought against four former distributors of direct-selling company Amway who were accused of spreading false rumors.
Last Friday's jury award in Salt Lake City represents the latest in a long line of court battles between P&G and Amway over the devil-worshipping claim, which has taken on new currency in the Internet era.
"This is about protecting our reputation," Jim Johnson, P&G's chief legal officer, said in a statement.
"We will take appropriate legal measures when competitors unfairly undermine the reputation of our brands or our company," he said.
The former distributors were accused of rehashing a rumor that dates from at least 1981, to the effect that P&G is in league with the Devil.
According to the false urban legend, the global company's logo contains a "666" symbol, its bosses have appeared on television talk shows to declare their love of Beelzebub, and part of its profits go to the Church of Satan.
Amway, part of the Alticor Inc. group of companies, direct retails products like consumer goods through independent sellers in more than 80 countries.
Amway has itself been forced to debunk accusations that its business model amounts to little more than a "get rich quick" pyramid-selling scheme.
Snopes.com file on the Procter & Gamble Urban Legend.
Procter & Gamble Win court battle over urban legend
Mar 20 2007, 10:22 PM
