Judge Declines Comcast Request to prevent DirecTV Ad Campaign

Getty Images A federal judge in Illinois has rejected a Comcast request a brief constraint order against competitor DirecTV to prevent an advertisement campaign it considered deceitful. Comcast prosecuted DirecTV earlier this year declaring that the national campaign was meant to mislead football fans into thinking they'd receive "free" football with using their service. Comcast contended that DirecTV was attempting to pull a bait-and-switch, tempting fans with "free offers" but really imposing in it a 2-year contract with "hefty" cancellation costs, plus automatic renewal within the second year in the full cost. El Segundo, Calif.-based DirecTV rapidly responded by declaring the allegation "edges on absurd." The particular phrase in the advertisements is "no extra charge," the organization responded, that has allegedly been transposed to "free" by Comcast "as though this means exactly the same factor." Now a federal court has agreed, decreasing to prevent the ad campaign. DirecTV released the next statement from Jon Gieselman, its senior vice president marketing and network marketing. "We're pleased the judge recognized Comcast's veiled make an effort to limit our capability to compete available on the market and refused the TRO. We're pleased to go mind-to-mind with Comcast every day on whose service is superior, therefore we anticipate competing available on the market as opposed to the court docket." Email: Matthew.Belloni@thr.com Twitter: @THRMattBelloni RELATED: DirecTV Defends Football Advertisements Against 'Deceptive' Comcast Suit Comcast Sues DirecTV Over 'Deceptive' Claims of 'Free' Public National football league Games Comcast DirecTV