Verizon SuperPages Offers Facts on Yellow Pages Usage Ruling

Yellow Book Violated Lanham Act and New York General Business Law

(PRWEB) October 20, 2004 --

Who:

The Honorable Jack B. Weinstein, Senior District Judge, United States District Court, Eastern District of New York ruled that Yellow Book USA Inc. “made false statements of fact claiming greater use of its yellow pages directories as compared to Verizon’s SuperPages.”

What:

SuperPagesFacts.com (http://www.superpagesfacts.com) provides business owners and the public with the full story on Verizon’s litigation with Yellow Book USA, Inc. The court said, "Verizon enjoys substantially greater usage of its directories nationally and in most of the local markets in which it competes with Yellow Book."

The court also determined that Yellow Book's claims of greater usage were not only false and misleading, but that Yellow Book knew they were false claims when it made them. In doing so, Yellow Book violated the Lanham Act and New York General Business Law.

Where:

SuperPagesFacts.com (http://www.superpagesfacts.com) offers valuable information about the ruling and provides resources for businesses, including:

• Court documents, including the original complaint and the final judgment from Judge Jack B. Weinstein of the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn

• Media coverage of the trial decision

• A guide to what every business should know about research on yellow pages directory usage

• Yellow pages directory research from CRM associates

• Contact information and FAQs

• Verizon Information Services press release and press kit

• SuperPages business advertiser testimonials

When:

The court ruled on October 7, 2004.

Why:

Yellow Book delivered misleading information to businesses and the public over a sustained period through a campaign consisting of advertising and direct sales calls to businesses.

Yellow Book's lies have hurt the entire yellow pages industry. Small business advertisers have been confused about the value of a yellow pages ad. And, by significantly exaggerating its usage, Yellow Book could have caused financial harm to many small businesses.

The court ruling against Yellow Book is an important win for all business owners, small and large, who depend on factual information to help them determine where to advertise.

Lester Chu, vice president – strategic planning and marketing for Verizon Information Services, said, “This is a victory for ethical business practices. We pride ourselves on integrity and ethics. With this decision, I hope that Yellow Book will now join us in that effort.”

How:

Visit http://www.superpagesfacts.com or to speak to a Verizon spokesperson, contact: Mary Stein at (972) 453-7016 or Dana Benton Russell at (972) 453-7014.

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