U.S. Filter Wins Ruling for Culligan

U.S. Filter Corp. won a court ruling allowing it to complete its purchase of a former franchisee of its rival, Culligan Water Technologies Inc. U.S. Filter, based in Palm Desert, said a judge in Cook County (Ill.) Chancery Court granted its motion for summary judgment against Culligan, which sued in January to stop the purchase of franchisee U.S. Water Co. The three companies sell water-purification and treatment products. A Culligan executive didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment. When the Northbrook, Ill.-based company sued, it said the purchase violated agreements requiring U.S. Water to continue selling water-purification services under the Culligan brand name.