WA-based fuel additive manufacturer and Western Force sponsor Firepower Ltd will bring a defamation action against the Sydney Morning Herald after claims allegedly made by the newspaper that Firepower marketed a sham technology and made false claims.
The full text of a company announcement is pasted below
The NSW Supreme Court has given the green light for a jury to hear a defamation case brought by Firepower Chairman Tim Johnston and CEO John Finnin against the Sydney Morning Herald.
The preliminary ruling relates to articles the newspaper published in January, which claimed Firepower marketed a sham technology product and made false claims about its sales success.
Significantly, the Herald argued in court that no such meanings arose from the articles - and it now has until May 17 to prepare its defence.
"It seems the Herald wants to have its cake and eat it," said CEO John Finnin. "In the articles they are saying the fuel pill is a sham product, but in court they propose to argue they weren't saying that.
"We're getting tired of being accused of misrepresentations, when in fact the Herald is misrepresenting us and the nature of our products," he continued.
"The Firepower organisation is young and growing very fast, so quite naturally is having to manage growth pains. These hostile stories have caused considerable damage to the company's reputation, especially by focusing attention on one
product among a wider range.
"What has inspired interest from shareholders and others is Firepower's ability to increase fuel efficiency and reduce the pollution for very large fuel users like mining companies and industry and government instrumentalities by providing them with fuel cleaning products and conditioners. The main beneficiaries will be organisations in developing countries plagued by problems associated with low grade or contaminated fuels."
