Yourlawyer.com (Iphone Skype Att Lawsuit News) http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Iphone-Skype-Att-Lawsuit Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:14:21 -0800 pixel-app en iPhone Class Action Lawsuit Claims Consumers Were Deceived Over MMS Capability http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/17227 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/17227 iPhone class action lawsuit has been filed in Alabama by a consumer who claims Apple Inc. and AT&T Mobility LLC misrepresented the iPhone's multimedia messaging service (MMS) capabilities. MMS capability is key for sending text messages accompanied by a photo, video or other form of media.

The complaint, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama,  alleges Apple and AT&T representatives have continually misrepresented, concealed, suppressed or omitted material facts to customers in their stores about the MMS functionality for the 3G and 3G-S iPhones.  

The original iPhone and iPhone 3G lacked MMS capability.  But by the time Apple planned to launch the iPhone 3G-S, such functionality was  widely available on other smartphones.  The complaint claims that Apple and AT&T advertised on its Web site and elsewhere that the 3G and 3G-S would allow the MMS functionality.  Because of this advertising, many consumers chose to buy or upgrade to a 3G or 3G-S.

According to the complaint, when the 3G iPhone was launched in July 2008, consumers began to realize that it did not have the MMS functionality.  The complaint claims that the defendant's response to consumer complaints  “was essentially to say 'tough luck.'"  

In early 2009, the lawsuit alleges that AT&T sales reps promised MMS functionality would become available for both 3G and 3G-S when the new iPhone OS Software Update free download would become available in June.  But after downloading the new OS 3.0 Software Update application, MMS still did not work on either the 3G or 3G-S, the complaint says.

It wasn't until September 25, 2009 that the defendants allegedly activated MMS for iPhone 3G and 3G-S users in the U.S. through a software update to iPhone OS 3.1.  According to the complaint, AT&T had never upgraded its towers so as to support the functionality necessary for MMS prior to September 25, 2009,  and so the iPhone could not offer MMS as claimed.  Even after the upgrade, results with MMS activation have been mixed, the complaint says.

The lawsuit alleges that consumers of the iPhone 3G and 3G-S were not informed that  AT&T had not upgraded its towers to support MMS, and would not do so for many months.  It further alleges that Apple's 3.0 and 3.1 software upgrade would not, by itself, solve the problem and make MMS available.

The plaintiff in the iPhone lawsuit is seeking class action status to benefit all Alabama residents who have purchased a 3G or 3G-S model iPhone since July 2008.

]]> iPhone Skype Restrictions Spark Controversy http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16365 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/16365
By using Skype, iPhone customers should be able to sidestep AT&T, allowing them access to cheaper voice plans that offer fewer minutes. iPhone users can also save money on international calls by using Skype.

But AT&T and Apple have restricted access to Skype.   It can't be used on AT&T's high-speed 3G wireless network. Apple, which has an exclusive deal in the U.S. with AT&T, says iPhone users can use the Skype service only at Wi-Fi hot spots.  Before Skype could offer its application at Apple's on-line download store, it had to agree to these restrictions.

Free Press, a group that has long-advocated net neutrality, has sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) asking it to determine whether or not the restrictions imposed by AT&T and Apple are a violation of federal law.  In its letter, Free Press cited the FCC's Internet Policy Statement which holds that  "consumers are entitled to run applications and use services of their choice" in order to "preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of the public Internet."  Those guidelines, which aren't formal rules, say carriers should let subscribers have access to any legal Web content or service they choose as long as it doesn't harm the network.

For its part, AT&T is defending its Skype restrictions.  After the launch of the Skype iPhone application, AT&T's top public policy executive said in an interview with USA Today that the company has every right to block Skype. As far as AT&T is concerned, Apple is expected not to promote or facilitate the services of AT&T’s competitors, the executive said.

According to a report on PCWorld.com, how the FCC responds to Free Press' concerns could have far-reaching implications not just for the future of VoIP, but in terms of what restrictions mobile operators can legitimately put on the use of their networks, which also may have impact on peer-to-peer programs, live video, and other services.

]]> http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Iphone-Skype-Att-Lawsuit Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Iphone-Skype-Att-Lawsuit iPhone Skype Restrictions Lawsuit Lawyers

Keywords: Iphone Skype Att Lawsuit Restrictions Lawyer

The lawyers / attorneys at our firm are offering free case evaluations to iPhone users who have been unable to take full advantage of the Skype iPhone application.  We are currently investigating potential lawsuits against AT&T Inc. and Apple Inc. for violating federal rules by restricting use of the low-cost Skype voice service on iPhones. 

 

Our iPhone Skype restrictions lawsuit lawyers are concerned that the treatment of  the Skype calling feature on the iPhone is an attempt by AT&T to handicap a competitor that offers iPhone users a less-expensive voice service.  Federal regulators have been asked to investigate iPhone Skype restrictions to determine if they violate federal law. 

 

If these iPhone Skype restrictions are illegal, iPhone users may be entitled to compensation.  If you are an iPhone user who would like full access to the Skype voice service, we urge you to contact one of our iPhone Skype restriction lawsuit lawyers right away to protect your legal rights.

 

iPhone Skype Restrictions

Skype is  a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) application that competes with AT&T's own voice service.  Since its release in early April 2009, Skype's free iPhone service has become one of  the most popular downloads at Apple's iPhone software store. Skype users can call each other free or can place calls to traditional landline and mobile phones for a small fee.

 

By using Skype on the iPhone, consumers can sidestep AT&T, allowing them access to cheaper voice plans that offer fewer minutes. iPhone users can also save money on international calls by using Skype.

 

However, iPhone users can't use the new Skype service on AT&T's high-speed 3G wireless network. Apple, which has an exclusive deal in the U.S. with AT&T, says iPhone users can use the Skype service only at Wi-Fi hot spots.  This restriction significantly limits the benefits iPhone users could gain from using Skype.

 

The company has also changed its wireless terms of service to prohibit "customer initiated redirection of television or other video or audio signals via any technology from a fixed location to a mobile device."  The consumer advocacy group Free Press has characterized this change as 'a pre-emptive strike against innovative mobile video technologies."

 

The only easy way  iPhone users can access the Skype  add-on for the device is through Apple's online store.  Before Apple and AT&T would allow Skype access to the online store, Skype  had to agree to these restrictions.

 

For its part,  AT&T is very up front about its intent to limit competition from Skype. After the launch of the Skype iPhone application, AT&T's top public policy executive said in an interview with USA Today that the company has every right to block Skype. As far as AT&T is concerned, Apple is expected not to promote or facilitate the services of AT&T’s competitors.  

 

Free Press has asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to investigate the limitations Apple and AT&T have placed on Skype.  The group wants the FCC to determine  whether or not the restrictions are in violation of federal law.

 

In a letter to the commission, Free Press cited the FCC's Internet Policy Statement which holds that  "consumers are entitled to run applications and use services of their choice" in order to "preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of the public Internet."  Those guidelines, which aren't formal rules, say carriers should let subscribers have access to any legal Web content or service they choose as long as it doesn't harm the network.

 

Legal Help for iPhone Skype Users

Our  iPhone Skype restrictions lawsuit lawyers have determined that AT&T's arrangement with Apple to restrict access to Skype is an attempt to hinder consumer choice for anticompetitive purposes.  We believe that this is being done in violation of federal law. 

 

If you are a victim of AT&T's anticompetitive iPhone Skype policies, you have valuable legal rights.  Please fill out our online form, or call 1-800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636) as soon as possible to discuss your case with one of our iPhone Skype restrictions lawsuit lawyers.

 

 

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