Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner with us
MCAA Logo
Log in Sign up Join Hi, there Account
2026 Midyear Registration is OPEN
Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner
Log in Sign up Join Account

Litigation filed by Mortar Net USA, Ltd. to protect trademarks

Words: Candice Carroll/Public/News/20120428160000-1.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="Mortar Net USA, Ltd., has filed a complaint in which Keene Building Products Co. is the defendant." />
Mortar Net USA, Ltd., has filed a complaint in which Keene Building Products Co. is the defendant.
Mortar Net USA, Ltd., has filed a complaint in the United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana, Hammond Division in which Keene Building Products Co. of Mayfield Heights, Ohio is the defendant.

The matter relates to Keene’s recent announcement to introduce and promote a mortar collection device using the “industry —recognized” dovetail (or keystone) shape that Mortar Net has established through nearly 20 years of sales and promotion, in addition to protecting it under U.S. Registered Trademark Numbers 3,571,383 and 3,571,384.

Gary R. Johnson, President of Mortar Net said, “Tom Sourlis, the founder of our company, created the category of shaped mortar collection devices for cavity wall construction and from its start Mortar Net has used the same distinctive shape in its advertising, corporate branding and products.” Johnson continued, “We have committed millions of dollars to associate the company and its products with this shape and have generated over $100 million of revenue from products associated with this shape. It is a valuable asset of the company and we intend to vigorously protect its value.”
 0
GEN NXT: Luis Sontay
September 2026

For this month, the MCAA got to sit down with aspiring mason Luis Sontay. From taking an interest in masonry as a kid to placing 1st in a postsecondary competition, Luis’ dedication and passion for the trade is clear. Luis describes his early passion fo

Justin Stengel
GEN NXT
Read More
Mentmore Towers, Fort Point, and More
September 2026

The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, UK, stands as a sweeping estate that represents the absolute peak of English masonry. Conceived with breathtaking scale and precision, the monumental complex is defined by

Justin Stengel
Masonry in the Media
Read More
The Alhambra
September 2026

High above Granada, Spain, the Alhambra offers masonry professionals something more than an architectural landmark. It is a working lesson in how relatively simple building materials, placed by skilled craftsmen and maintained over generations, can create

Cass Stern
Marvelous Masonry
Read More
The Wall
September 2026

There is a story around Huntley Brothers that some of our guys simply call “The Wall.” I’ve told it enough times over the years that when I start telling it to one of our younger guys, I can see a few of the older ones rolling their eyes. They’ve heard i

Kent Huntley
Chairman’s Message
Read More