AT&T has filed a lawsuit against the National Advertising Division (NAD), the advertising industry's self-regulatory body, instead of pulling its ads that slam T-Mobile. The NAD had previously found AT&T in violation of a rule by issuing a video advertisement and press release that used the NAD process and its findings for promotional purposes.
However, AT&T disputes the accusation, claiming that it didn't violate the rule. The carrier argues that the rule only applies to uses "for advertising and/or promotional purposes" and not to press releases issued by participants in the process. AT&T also claims that its press release about its new advertising campaign does not mention any particular NAD decision and therefore is not a violation.
The NAD had sent a cease-and-desist letter to AT&T, demanding that it stop using NAD decisions for promotional purposes. However, AT&T has refused to comply, citing the rule's ambiguity and arguing that the NAD has no legal basis to enforce its demand for censorship.
This lawsuit is part of a long-standing feud between AT&T and T-Mobile over misleading ads. Both carriers have been accused of deceptive advertising practices in the past, including false promises about data plans and cell phone coverage.
The NAD procedures state that companies participating in the system agree not to mischaracterize any decision or press release issued for promotional purposes. However, AT&T claims that it didn't mischaracterize its decisions and that the NAD's process is often slow and allows T-Mobile to air deceptive ads without meaningful consequences.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the advertising industry and the way companies approach self-regulation.
However, AT&T disputes the accusation, claiming that it didn't violate the rule. The carrier argues that the rule only applies to uses "for advertising and/or promotional purposes" and not to press releases issued by participants in the process. AT&T also claims that its press release about its new advertising campaign does not mention any particular NAD decision and therefore is not a violation.
The NAD had sent a cease-and-desist letter to AT&T, demanding that it stop using NAD decisions for promotional purposes. However, AT&T has refused to comply, citing the rule's ambiguity and arguing that the NAD has no legal basis to enforce its demand for censorship.
This lawsuit is part of a long-standing feud between AT&T and T-Mobile over misleading ads. Both carriers have been accused of deceptive advertising practices in the past, including false promises about data plans and cell phone coverage.
The NAD procedures state that companies participating in the system agree not to mischaracterize any decision or press release issued for promotional purposes. However, AT&T claims that it didn't mischaracterize its decisions and that the NAD's process is often slow and allows T-Mobile to air deceptive ads without meaningful consequences.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the advertising industry and the way companies approach self-regulation.
They're basically saying the rule doesn't apply to press releases that aren't directly promoting their own ads, but it's kinda weird they're doing this since they know T-Mobile has been getting roasted for deceptive ads. I mean, if they really think the NAD process is slow and unfair, why not address those issues instead of taking them out on the regulatory body? 
It's all about PR spin here, imo. The NAD is just trying to do its job, and AT&T is using this lawsuit as a way to shift the focus back to T-Mobile's misdeeds. We'll see how this plays out, but one thing's for sure – it's gonna be a wild ride! 
I mean i get it, advertising can b super competitive and companies try to get ahead but still gotta respect the rules right? 
this whole thing is making me think about our school's debate team and how we deal with rules and regulations...do u guys think they would ever try something like dis in a debate tournament lol.
. If they're using NAD decisions in their ads without clarifying that it's just a fact-checking thing and not an endorsement, that does come across as misleading. Maybe AT&T can argue that case, but it seems like a thin line to me.
. Either NAD gets to prove its worth and sets a precedent for holding companies accountable, or AT&T wins and makes a point about the lack of clear rules 
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, but when it comes to the NAD's rules, it's like they're all over the place 
. And now they're suing the NAD? That's just great, because who needs self-regulation when you can just litigate your way out of it 
! The irony is that both AT&T and T-Mobile are being accused of deceptive ads, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see how this whole thing plays out 
. The NAD's rule can be pretty vague, and I get why AT&T would argue that it didn't break it. But then again, if it was just a small oversight, shouldn't they have learned from their mistake instead of going to court? 
And what about T-Mobile's part in all this? They're the ones who accused AT&T of misleading ads in the first place... did they really do more research on the NAD process than AT&T did? 
I feel them tho, they're saying that using a NAD decision in a PR release isn't even an ad anymore 
. The whole thing is kinda murky and I'm not sure who's right or wrong here 
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Let's just focus on makin' real changes instead of playin' games with our words... 
maybe this lawsuit will bring some real change to how ads are regulated in the us
. But what really gets me is how both carriers have been accused of deceptive ads in the past 
The fact that AT&T thinks its press release doesn't violate the rule because it doesn't mention a specific NAD decision... yeah, that's not gonna fly 
️. It's time for the industry to take responsibility for its own self-regulation 
The NAD's rules are in place to help keep things fair, but if both companies are going to take the same stance on this, it just feels like they're not taking the whole thing seriously enough. And AT&T's argument about the rule being ambiguous is a bit weak, imo... I guess what I'm saying is that someone needs to take a deep breath and calm everyone down 
I mean, think about it, AT&T is basically saying that the NAD can't regulate its own rules and that's just frustrating for everyone involved. And on top of that, both carriers have been accused of misleading ads in the past... it's like, how many times do we need to see this before people just stop? 
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