MBN, Monte Bubbles Network

Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) today filed a lawsuit against a private label manufacturer of health and beauty products, Vi-Jon Industries, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit alleges that Vi-Jon infringed and diluted the unique trade dress of P&G's Crest Pro-Health, a highly effective antiplaque/antigingivitis oral rinse, and also engaged in false advertising of its mouthwash product. The Vi-Jon product is sold in retail stores under store brand names.

"We had to take this action to protect our business and the interests of our consumers," stated Diane Dietz, general manager North America oral care. Conduct from private label manufacturers that can mislead consumers cannot be tolerated. P&G invests heavily in research, development, and intellectual property and design, and must protect that investment."

The lawsuit specifically alleges that Vi-Jon's packaging of its mouthwash product mimics many aspects of P&G's packaging, including P&G's distinctive "faceted diamond" bottle shape, the precise shade of blue mouthwash rinse, and the shape, metallic finish and general color scheme of the label.

The lawsuit also alleges Vi-Jon's label communicates (i) that the Vi-Jon product is comparable to P&G's Crest Pro-Health, and (ii) that the Vi-Jon product is effective in killing germs that cause plaque and gingivitis. In fact, P&G's testing shows that Vi-Jon's product is not comparable to Crest Pro-Health and is not effective in reducing plaque or gingivitis to a meaningful degree.

The lawsuit seeks to enjoin Vi-Jon from this conduct. It also seeks to recover damages for unfair competition and violations of P&G's intellectual property rights

Steve Carell to Make First Oscar® Show Appearance

Beverly Hills, CA — Actor Steve Carell will be a presenter at the 78th Academy Awards® ceremony, telecast producer Gil Cates announced today.

Carell, who recently starred in "The 40 Year-Old Virgin," will next star in the ensemble comedy "Little Miss Sunshine." Carell's other film credits include "Bewitched," "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" and "Bruce Almighty."

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2005 will be presented on Sunday, March 5, 2006, at the Kodak Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PST. A one-hour red carpet arrivals show will precede the telecast at 4 p.m.

StarBucks Makes China Move

McDonald’s Corp. veteran Shantel Wong joined Starbucks in Shanghai on Feb. 10 as VP-marketing for Greater China in the coffeehouse chain’s latest move to transform the mainland into a nation of coffee drinkers.

Her new boss Howard Schultz has spent the last few days traveling in China. Starbucks’ founder and chairman has become increasingly vocal about his determination to make China the company’s No. 2 market behind North America.

Although China has been nearly synonymous with tea for centuries, urban consumers show a surprising predilection for java. Starbucks has opened 386 sites in 18 mainland cities as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan since 1999, and they are nearly always packed.

Unlike American consumers who prefer to get their coffee on the go, and often buy coffee beans and merchandise alongside drinks and snacks, Chinese linger in the stores for hours, chatting with friends, surfing online and soaking up the Western atmosphere.

The company has seen its share of controversy in China as well. In 2004, it sued a local firm for trademark infringements, because the rival chain’s Chinese name, Shanghai Xing Ba Ke Coffee Shop Co, was almost an exact translation of the Mandarin name chosen by Starbucks in China. Local courts ruled in Starbucks’ favor earlier this year, a rare victory in China for a multinational company.

Marine  and Soldier Die of injuries.

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Michael S. Probst, 26, of Irvine, Calif., died Feb. 14  from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Abu Ghraib, Iraq.  He was assigned to 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division,I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force .

Spc. Felipe J. Garcia Villareal, 26, of Burke, Va., died at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12, of injuries sustained in Ramadi, Iraq on Feb. 9, when his tent caught fire.  Garcia Villareal was assigned to the 54th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer
Brigade,Warner Barracks, Bamberg, Germany.

            The incident is under investigation.

Medal Count

Norway One Gold Five Silver Five Bronze

Russia Four Gold Three Silver Two Bronze

United States Five Gold Two Silver One Bronze

Germany Four Gold Two Silver Two Bronze

China One Gold Two Silver Three Bronze

Austria Two Gold Two Silver One Bronze

Canada One Gold One Silver Two Bronze

Italy One Gold Three Bronze

Finland Two Silver Two Bronze

Sweden Two Gold One Bronze

Netherlands One Gold Two Silver

South Korea One Gold One Silver One Silver

France One Gold One Bronze

Switzerland One Gold One Bronze

Estonia One Gold

Australia One Gold

Croatia One Silver

Czech Republic One Silver

Bulgaria One Silver

Latvia One Bronze