Purple Mattress Powder Lawsuit (2024)

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Purple has filed a lawsuit against review site Honest Mattress Reviews after an article was posted claiming the powder Purple uses on their mattresses is anti-tack and harmful to your health.

How it began

In 2016, Ryan Monahan creates the website Honest Mattress Reviews in order to provide honest, unbiased mattress reviews to the general public. Shortly after, Monahan posts an article alleging that Purple uses an anti-tack powder on their mattresses that causes irreversible damage to your body. He follows this up with a series of other articles and videos about the Purple powder.

Monahan says that he has reached out to Purple numerous times asking why they put powder on their mattresses, what the powder is, and whether it is safe to inhale, to no avail.

Purple is adamant, not only that these claims are false, but that Monahan and mattress company GhostBed are deliberately attacking Purple to tarnish their reputation. Purple claims that GhostBed CEO Mark Werner and Monahan are business partners working together to boost GhostBed sales by ruining the Purple name in the mattress industry.

Details of the case

In February 2017, Purple files a lawsuit against Monahan and Werner. Purple petitions the Court for a restraining order forcing Monahan to remove the misleading material from the Honest Mattress Reviews site while the case proceeds. Both Monahan and Werner oppose the order, claiming they have no connection to each other.

Purple insists the powder they use is safe. They launch their own private investigation to prove that Monahan and Werner planned this smear campaign.

What they uncovered

Purple's investigation turns out to be a success, as it uncovers a connection between the defendants. They discover that Monahan is the former GhostBed Chief Brand Officer and has frequent contact with Werner.

The investigation reveals that the defendants plotted the attack against Purple. They hired a new marketing director (who still reports internally to Monahan) while Monahan went off to create Honest Mattress Reviews in an attempt to conceal his connection to GhostBed.

The Court finds further evidence that Monahan's other company, Social Media Sharks, is being paid $10,000 a month by GhostBed (through a company called Achieve). These findings prove that Purple's allegations of a paid smear campaign by GhostBed was in fact true!

The verdict

Honorable Judge Bee Denson grants Purple a Preliminary Injunction, finding Werner and Monahan were dishonest with the Court and consumers and they purposefully created and shared false and misleading information about the Purple mattress.

In February 2018, Purple is awarded sanctions for reasonable attorney fees and costs in pursuing this lawsuit.

Where can I find a great, affordable mattress (in 2024)?

If you're searching for an affordable mattress that offers a wide range of comfort and pressure relief, we've compiled a list of mattresses for you to consider:

  1. Saatva Mattress - fantastic for all sleep positions, and is rated our Best Mattress of 2024.
  2. Puffy - feels like you're sleeping on a cool cloud (at a good price).
  3. Cocoon - amazing pressure relief at an affordable price.
  4. Ghostbed - beautiful, plush cover w/ aerated latex and healthy spinal alignment.
  5. Winkbeds - 3-stage back relief with free shipping and returns.

Read our short, well-researched 10 Best Mattresses of 2024, here. Our ultimate goal is to help you pick your perfect mattress online, today!

Limited Time Offer - Get $600 Off

Saatva is our top pick for the #1 mattress in 2024! They're a luxury mattress shipped with FREE white-glove delivery & setup (different than regular bed in a box brands put on your doorstep). They have over 50,000 reviews.

Check Price →
Limited Time Offer - Get $600 Off