Judge asked to toss claims spill hurt BP brand

BP PLC has asked a federal judge to dismiss claims by its fuel dealers that the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico diminished the value of the BP brand and cost them business.

U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier didn't immediately rule Friday after hearing arguments on the company's request.

BP attorney Christopher Landau says claims that BP dealers lost money due to "consumer animosity" after the spill aren't covered by either the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 or general maritime law.

A lawyer for BP dealers argues other federal and state laws apply to their claims.

Claims by BP dealers are excluded from the company's proposed settlement of billions of dollars of claims by other businesses and individuals who blame the spill for economic damages.