Want Verizon Wireless 3G coverage ads? AT&T’s got a lawsuit for that!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009 20:20

If you’ve glanced at your TV recently, chances are good you’ve seen those Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless ads mocking AT&T (NYSE: T) for having an allegedly spotty 3G network. The TV commercials play off those “there’s an app for that” iPhone ads, declaring that “there’s a Verizon Wireless 3G coverage map” to show you just why Verizon’s 3G network is better than AT&T’s. Today, AT&T reacted to the ads by filing a lawsuit against Verizon Wireless, asking the court for a temporary restraining order against Big Red’s ad campaign. “Verizon has stepped over the line of legitimate comparative advertising,” said AT&T.

The lawsuit, filed in Atlanta federal court, is aimed at stopping Verizon from using their “misleading” ads. At issue are the 3G coverage maps that Verizon is using to show AT&T’s 3G coverage area. AT&T claims that the white/blank areas of the coverage maps are misleading consumers into thinking that AT&T has no coverage whatsoever in those blank area. The company argues that AT&T customers can “fully use their wireless devices outside of a ‘3G’ coverage area and undisputedly have coverage in areas depicted by white or blank spaces on the maps used in Verizon’s advertisements.”

AT&T is asking for a temporary restraining order against VZW, until the court can pin down dates for injunction hearings.

What say you, reader? Is AT&T just trying to run damage control on a fair ad? Or has Verizon Wireless gone too far with their commercials?

[Via: Reuters]

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