Opinion ID: 3049595
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Viance’s Advertisements

Text: After receiving the Timber Products Reports, Viance issued two press releases titled: “Decaying 4x4 Posts Confirm Performance Concerns with Micronized Copper Wood Preservatives” and “Hidden Danger in Your Backyard.” The press releases contained various statements related to both its testing and safety concerns regarding the use of MCQ-treated wood. For instance, one release begins by stating: “Viance has uncovered evidence that micronized copper quaternary (MCQ™) preservative has failed to prevent decay of 4x4 wood posts at several subdivisions in the southeastern United States.” Another release begins: “Findings on 4x4 posts at residential locations reveal dramatic evidence that wood treated with micronized copper preservative (MCQ™) is decaying more rapidly than anticipated.” The releases go on to reference Timber Products’ role in the testing. The releases also contain statements raising concerns about the safety of MCQ-treated posts. For instance, the first states: “The decay, verified by Timber Products Inspection (TPI), is considered unacceptable for providing long-term structural integrity for residential and commercial uses” and “ . . . the severity of the decay on these micronized copper-treated posts raises alarming consumer safety concerns about structures built using micronized copper treated wood.” The second states: “These decay findings raise serious concerns about the structural 9 integrity and safety of outdoor structures, such as decks and fencing, built with micronized copper preservative within the last three years.” Viance also sent an email with the subject line “Is a Treated Wood Lawsuit in Your Future?” containing the statement: “the safety of your customers and clients is at stake if your projects’ support structures are being built with Micronized treated wood that cannot adequately resist decay.”