Under orders from a federal judge, Procter & Gamble Co. is pulling ads claiming that its Tampax Pearl tampon is superior to competitor Playtex Gentle Glide.

Judge William Pauley late Thursday issued an injunction ordering P&G to stop making the claim, several days after a jury awarded Playtex $2.96 million in damages for the misleading advertising. The order prohibited P&G from claiming Tampax Pearl is superior in comfort, protection or absorbency.

P&G said it would comply, but would appeal the decision.

"While we continue to disagree with the decision and intend to pursue an appeal, we completely respect the integrity of the court and the jury's verdict," P&G said.

Playtex had claimed P&G's ads for the new Tampax Pearl tampon falsely implied that it was more absorbent. Absorbency levels are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration within a specific range.

Cliff Peale