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AT&T Loses First Legal Battle Against Verizon

Posted by Soulskill on from the is-there-an-app-for-that dept.

FutureDomain writes "A federal judge in Atlanta has declined a restraining order from AT&T that would have prevented Verizon from running ads that compared their 3G coverage to AT&T's. AT&T felt that Verizon's ads 'mislead consumers into thinking that AT&T doesn't offer wireless service in large portions of the country, which is clearly not the case.' Verizon argued that the ads clearly indicated that the maps were only of 3G coverage, and that AT&T is only suing because it doesn't want to face the truth about its network."

7 of 214 comments (clear)

  1. Of course they did... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    because it's not LIBEL if it's TRUE.

  2. AT&T is the laughing stock of the industry by stox · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They were insane to bring this to court. Verizon could not have paid for better advertising. This is going to go down in the book as one of the stupidest moves in business history.

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    "To those who are overly cautious, everything is impossible. "
    1. Re:AT&T is the laughing stock of the industry by EraserMouseMan · · Score: 5, Insightful

      AT&T is essentially putting the spotlight on it's weakest link by drawing so much attention to this trial. Now everybody will be educated on exactly what's wrong with AT&T today.

  3. Surprised? by purpledinoz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Is anyone surprised at this result? Verizon advertises its better 3G coverage. It's true. Simple as that. No more debate necessary.

  4. Truth In Advertising by pipboy9999 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is a little off topic, but if there is one industry that desperately needs some Truth In Advertising laws enforced, its the wireless industry. I don't know why AT&T is so pissed. All the major carriers play up the smallest advantage they have over competitors as 'THE' deciding factor in who is the best carrier. How can Sprint AT&T and Verizon all have the best 3G networks like they each claim in their commercials?

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    Yeah, I've got nothing...
  5. Re:Now to get rid of noncompetes by commodore64_love · · Score: 4, Insightful

    >>>enforce contracts as a way to not have to compete. Libertarian ideas about competition are just as utopian as socialist ideas about cooperation

    I agree, but you forget that you don't "have" to sign contracts. I didn't have a contract with my old Cingular/AT&T service, nor do I have one with my new VirginMobile service. I also don't have a contract with Netscape ISP, or Dish Network. I *chose* not to take their offered contracts, and you could do the same, if you don't like being locked-in for 1-2 years.

       

    --
    "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
  6. Re:AT&T vs Verizon by dkleinsc · · Score: 5, Insightful

    All of us "consumers". Notice how we aren't represented in the courtroom.

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    I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/