AT&T Claims Verizon is Using False Advertising in an Ad Campaign
AT&T Inc. has accused rival cell phone carrier Verizon Wireless of deceptive trade practices. They are suing Verizon for implying that AT&T has far less nationwide coverage than they actually do, saying a Verizon ad campaign may be misleading customers. AT&T is asking for a permanent injunction to stop the ads, saying that they are suffering irreparable harm as a result of the commercials.
The ads in question compare Verizon’s 3G coverage to that of AT&T, showing maps of the US with coverage highlighted in blue for AT&T and red for Verizon. The Verizon map is almost completely red, where the AT&T map is sparsely freckled with blue dots. The problem is that the maps make it look like AT&T has far less coverage, when in fact they offer regular (non-3G) coverage in many areas where 3G is not available.
Verizon attempted to appease AT&T by taking out language in the ad saying that AT&T customers are “out of touch” in areas that do not have 3G service. Verizon also added an extra line to the ad saying that both “voice and data services are available outside of 3G coverage areas.” Verizon believes that the changes are sufficient. AT&T does not.
Now it will be up to a judge to decide whether the ads are misleading or not. If your business has been the victim of false advertising, please contact Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. for legal counsel.
Find out more about this lawsuit and its implications at AT&T to Verizon: There’s a lawsuit for that.
