AT&T Faces Initial Setback in Verizon Ad Spat, Rolls Out Response Ad

The Associated Press reports that a judge has refused to grant AT&T's request for a temporary restraining order forcing Verizon to halt its commercials comparing the two companies' wireless network coverage.

AT&T filed the lawsuit in federal court in Atlanta earlier this month and asked for a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction to stop the ads. It contends they are misleading and amount to deceptive trade practices.

Verizon argues that the commercials are valid and truthful.

A hearing has been scheduled for December 16th to allow the case to proceed.

Since publishing a public response to Verizon's commercials late last week, AT&T has now begun rolling out its own television ad, featuring actor Luke Wilson offering a comparison of AT&T's and Verizon's network using the same factors highlighted in last week's press release.