PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A bottled water company that won the right to draw water from Poland Spring is at loggerheads with the Maine-based Poland Springs brand.
The newcomer, Maine Springs, says it's required by law to identify its water source, which includes Poland Spring. The company is suing Poland Spring, which has told Maine Springs that putting the name on labels infringes upon its brand.
Jane Lazgin, spokeswoman for Nestle Waters North America, Poland Spring's corporate parent, told the Portland Press Herald that the lawsuit is "meritless."
Maine Springs also contends that Poland Spring misrepresents the source of its water. In 2003, Poland Spring settled a class-action lawsuit that contended the company's water comes from wells, not bubbling springs. Poland Spring's water sources include Poland, Poland Spring, Hollis, Kingfield and Fryeburg.