Opinion ID: 2459736
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: U.S. Brass

Text: U.S. Brass designed and manufactured the plumbing system at issue. It selected the raw materials, designed and manufactured the parts and tools, and trained the homebuilders' plumbers. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, U.S. Brass sought approval of the system for residential use from building code officials. Together with Shell it conducted a sales campaign aimed at the new home market and targeted individual builders. U.S. Brass represented to builders that the polybutylene plumbing system was durable and would last twenty-five years, was easy to install, required fewer joints, and was a quality product with characteristics superior to copper, galvanized steel, and PVC plumbing systems. U.S. Brass' and Shell's representatives met with homebuilders many times. U.S. Brass also provided homebuilders with a catalog on the plumbing system representing that the pipes and fittings would not corrode and that the pipes would not freeze or experience mineral build-up. Although the conduct of U.S. Brass comes closer to being in connection with the plaintiffs' purchase of their homes than the conduct of Shell or Celanese, it also falls short of meeting the nexus required for DTPA liability. U.S. Brass exercised significant control over the design and installation of the plumbing systems, but as with Shell and Celanese, U.S. Brass had no role in the sale of the homes to the plaintiffs. As with Shell, U.S. Brass' marketing efforts were not intended to, nor were they, incorporated into the marketing of the homes to the plaintiffs. Finally, U.S. Brass' products were subject to independent evaluation by building code officials, homebuilders, and the plumbing contractors who installed the materials. Viewed in this context, we conclude that U.S. Brass' actions were not connected with the plaintiffs' transactions, that is, the sale of the homes, in a way that justifies liability under the DTPA. Our analysis of U.S. Brass' connection with the consumer transactions applies with equal force to allegations based on misrepresentations and unconscionable acts. The subject matter of the misrepresentations and the conduct found to be unconscionable is virtually identical. Because we conclude that the totality of U.S. Brass' involvement in the consumer transaction is insufficient to support DTPA liability, we reverse the judgments against U.S. Brass under both theories of DTPA liability. Although we have concluded that the homeowners have no DTPA cause of action against Celanese, Shell, and U.S. Brass, no one disputes that they have a DTPA cause of action against General Homes, their seller. Given this recourse under the DTPA against the seller, and the contribution and indemnity provision of the DTPA, see TEX.BUS. & COM.CODE § 17.555, we think that rather than permit limitless upstream DTPA liability under these circumstances, the Legislature more likely intended for consumers to seek DTPA recourse against those with whom they have engaged in a consumer transaction. Then, to the extent that the seller's DTPA liability is caused or contributed to by the otherwise actionable misconduct of upstream manufacturers or suppliers, the seller may seek contribution or indemnity against them. Additionally, homeowners may obtain direct relief for foreseeable injuries due to the negligence of these parties.