Verizon, Comcast Feud Over HDTV > Comcast Commercials

reply to kleinml

Re: Comcast Commercials

But, to say "the fastest" would say that you can't get a faster speed from another provider, right? Because isn't FiOS offering faster speeds? I would think that laying claim to "faster" or "fastest" would be the killer in that commercial.

You know me by now, I'm not one to pick like that, but that one just seems a little odd for me. But, will wait to hear why you say that..

It's really just a judgment call. Kind of like saying, "Snapple is made from the best stuff on Earth."

Comcast saying that they're the "Fastest internet around" is so non-specific and is so typical of language used in puffery that I don't think they'd be nailed for making any kind of false representations. It's the "around" word that makes it more advertising than a performance claim. But, I think you would be right if "fastest" was more directly targeted to the FIOS product.

Of course, it doesn't mean that Comcast couldn't be sued and lose. It's like the Papa John's v. Pizza Hut lawsuit. The lower courts initially ruled in Pizza Hut's favor, but then Papa John's won at the appeal level. And, I think that was a closer case than this one.

»advertising.about.com/od/foodrel···ohns.htm

A select quote from the article linked above:

"The better-best argument also affects the results of this case. You've seen commercials where a company claims to have the "best" thingamajig. "Best" can be used without having to backup your statement. When you use "better," you "better" have proof to substantiate your claim."