Legal Question in Business Law in California

Phone book

AT&T left my business listing out of the white pages and yellow pages. It has been listed the last 36 years. Do I have any legal recourse?


Asked on 6/03/09, 3:18 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: Phone book

Probably not, and who the devil uses paper phone books anymore? Get a web page and have somebody gimmick the search engines so your business is at the top of a Google search for your product or service.

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Answered on 6/03/09, 3:41 pm
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

Re: Phone book

My law practice was on Mendocino Avenue until the NSGW Building was sold and the new owner (Raj) closed down the office suites operation there. I have also phased out my Yellow Pages advertising since I get enough clients from answering questions on LawGuru and am planning on retiring in a few years anyway. However, I realize that phone book listings are still important for many businesses.

I have not dealt with this issue, but here are two thoughts:

1) The phone company is no different from any other party; if they breach a contract or commit an act of negligence, and you are harmed as a consequence, you can sue for your damages and expect to recover if you prove your case.

2) I seem to recall an incident where the number in someone's ad was incorrect, and he hadn't been furnished a proof for approval, and the phone company ended up settling for his estimated lost profit. Even if I recall correctly, that was a long time ago, and I probably can't find the case (if there was one).

Why not contact me directly and give me more facts. For example, do you recall being contacted by a rep? They usually call several times to negotiate a renewal.

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Answered on 6/03/09, 4:04 pm
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Re: Phone book

No. Read their advertising contract. All you get is a refund. You can leverage and negotiate next year's rates because of this.

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Answered on 6/03/09, 6:08 pm


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