Verizon has a new series of ads that assert that people should get a phone from Verizon instead of AT&T because Verizon's 3G network provides "5X more 3G coverage." Small print on the ads states: "Comparison based on square miles covered with 3G. Voice & data services available outside 3G coverage area." While the ads may talk about AT&T, the ads are clearly taking on the iPhone, which is of course only offered on AT&T in the U.S. (although there have long been rumors that the iPhone will someday come to Verizon; I'll believe it when I see it).
AT&T isn't pleased with the ads and has even sued Verizon in the Northern District of Georgia, alleging that the ads violate the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a), and the Georgia False Advertising Act and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. AT&T asserts that notwithstanding the disclaimer, "Verizon is still conveying the message that AT&T has no coverage in the white or blank space included in the maps, and thus AT&T customers cannot use their wireless devices in large portions of the United States." Of course, you can use an iPhone even if you don't have 3G service. (Engadget has a copy of the Complaint available here.)
Verizon's newest ads in this campaign have Christmas themes. One of them (my favorite) features the Island of Misfit Toys from the classic Rankin/Bass stop motion animation movie Rudolph the Red-Noised Reindeer. Apple itself has paid tribute to the Rankin/Bass holiday movies in many of its Get a Mac ads, and for nostalgia reasons those are actually some of my favorite ads in that long running Apple campaign; the one that Apple ran in 2007 doesn't appear to be on its website but can be viewed on YouTube here, and the two from 2008 are available on Apple's website here if you click on the 2008 tab. I hope that another one is planned for this year.
I'll leave it to the courts to decide whether the Verizon ads are fair, but they are humorous. All three are set forth below.
