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Federal Court Shuts Down Pay As You Go Wireless

self assembled struc writes "BCGI has been found guilty of infringing on pay-as-you-go wireless patents owned by Freedom Wireless. This means that cellular providers who use BCGI pay-as-you-go billing systems must immediately stop selling new service. For the next 90 days, as they wind down their service, they will have to pay Freedom Wireless 2.5 cents per airtime minute used PER CUSTOMER. This heralds a farewell to Cingular's Go Phone and Sprint-Nextel's Boost services, both powered by BCGI."

29 of 422 comments (clear)

  1. I'm using Cingular's Go Phone by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    For wireless dial-up access, and I haven't noticed any

  2. Well... by Ceirren · · Score: 5, Funny

    Looks like they'll be paying as they go! Hahahahaha

  3. So... by lenmaster · · Score: 5, Funny

    I guess the name "Freedom Wireless" is an ironic choice.

    1. Re:So... by wo1verin3 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Well it rolls off the tongue better then what they were originally going to name the company "Full of Nazi Patent Whores Wireless".

    2. Re:So... by gad_zuki! · · Score: 4, Funny

      > I guess the name "Freedom Wireless" is an ironic choice.

      Only in pre 9/11 America.

      *rimshot*

      Not as catchy as "In Soviet Russia" but it has potential. In post 9/11 America, freedom wireless takes your phone!

  4. Wait one second... by NETHED · · Score: 4, Funny

    I read the article. Is this for EVERYONE in the country? What will happen for all the users of these phones. What about tracfone, they've been at it for YEARS, does this affect them? I need clarification or some unfounded speculation, both would be nice.

    --
    --sig fault--
  5. One Word.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    BULLSHIT!!!

    You'll NEVER stop me from getting FREE WIFI off of my Pringles Can!!!
    Take THAT FCC!!!

  6. After hearing the verdict by Koil · · Score: 4, Funny

    He then turned and walked defiantly from the court room, only to sheepishly return and ask "Um....anyone have a cell phone?? I need to call my lawyer."

  7. For the sake of free market.. by cybrthng · · Score: 4, Funny

    I hope we can rely on federal court to rid us of these patented monopolies.

  8. Re:Business Model Patents Suck! by bani · · Score: 4, Funny

    and this is a bad thing? i see it as a perfect way to destroy the RIAA and MPAA.

  9. I use Virgin Mobile... by NeuroManson · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does this mean I'm screwed as well?

    --
    Just because you can mod me down, doesn't mean you're right. Shoes for industry!
    1. Re:I use Virgin Mobile... by gwait · · Score: 2, Funny

      You're fine. How can you get screwed by a Virgin?
      (sorry, you set it up, I had to spike it..)

      --
      Bavarian Purity Law of Rice Krispie Squares: Rice Krispies, Marshmallows, Butter, Vanilla.
    2. Re:I use Virgin Mobile... by sdo1 · · Score: 5, Funny

      No, don't worry. By definition, you're not getting screwed.

      --
      --- What parts of "shall make no law", "shall not be infringed", and "shall not be violated" don't you understand?
    3. Re:I use Virgin Mobile... by dwater · · Score: 4, Funny

      > How can you get screwed by a Virgin?

      There's always a first time.

      Actually, there's *only* a first time.

      Er, ah, right this is /.; I forgot.

      No, there's never a first time

      --
      Max.
  10. The system works! by KarmaBlackballed · · Score: 2, Funny

    Let this be an example to those of you that pooh-pooh our patent system. See, it works!

    --

    --- -- - -
    Give me LIBERTY, or give me a check.
  11. On the other hand... by gui_tarzan2000 · · Score: 2, Funny
    My daughter has a pay-as-you-go phone. Maybe this isn't such a bad thing.

    --
    Have you hugged your penguin today?
  12. Re:Painful Math by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yes, your math is painful.

    10 * $0.025 * 3,100,000 = $775,000

  13. Re:America by thegrassyknowl · · Score: 5, Funny

    Where you can patent something obvious, and then prevent someone else from doing that obvious thing.

    You are infringing on my patent:

    My idea is the generic method of using a muscular diaphragm to apply force to a bag made of human tissue in order to draw air into and expel air from the bag for the purpose of respiration!

    Please pay me $0.025 for every breath you take.

    --
    I drink to make other people interesting!
  14. Boost Mobile dead within 90 days? by crimethinker · · Score: 2, Funny
    I'm torn - on the one hand, this patent rivals "Method For Exercising A Cat Or Other Animal With A Chase Instinct Using A Laser Pointer" in sheer chutzpah. On the other hand, never having to hear "yo, where you at?" ever again sounds like a great thing.

    /me HATES boost mobile for their gangsta commercials

    -paul

    --
    Pistol caliber is like religion: everyone has their favourite, and theirs is the only right choice.
    1. Re:Boost Mobile dead within 90 days? by phillymjs · · Score: 2, Funny

      On the other hand, never having to hear "yo, where you at?" ever again sounds like a great thing.

      Yes, but without those, there's no longer a need for T-Mobile's hilarious "Poser Mobile" ads. And the loss of those will sting a little.

      ~Philly

  15. Re:America by afabbro · · Score: 4, Funny

    It was diculous the first time. No need to re-diculize it.

    --
    Advice: on VPS providers
  16. Ralsky to the rescue? by HermanAB · · Score: 2, Funny

    We got to get Allan Ralksky to email the message to everyone...

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    Oh well, what the hell...
  17. Re:Well.... by negative3 · · Score: 3, Funny

    No, I'm sorry, they can't implement it in any form without infringing my patents. You see, I have a patent on the subtraction operation. Everybody who subtracts two numbers without a license from me is in danger of prosecution (thieves, stealing my valuable IP). And don't try that "I'll just add a negative number" because it won't hold up in court (and hasn't).

    You'll be hearing from my lawyer soon concerning your willful, unlawful proliferation of the subtraction operation on a public message board without licensing it first.

    --
    "Physics is to math what sex is to masturbation." - Richard Feynman
  18. Music And Film Industry Association of America by tepples · · Score: 2, Funny

    How can the Mafia sue the **AAs for stealing their business model if "there is no Mafia"?

    You seem not to get it. The **AAs you speak of are the Mafia (music and film industry associations). Here's proof.

  19. Please think of the kittens. by tepples · · Score: 2, Funny

    Better would have been "Every time someone litigates over a stupid patent, God kills a kitten." Please think of the kittens.

  20. Re:Dollars to doughnuts... by SydShamino · · Score: 2, Funny

    >>> But... that's just my two cents

    That's two AND A HALF cents, buddy, PER MINUTE.

    --
    It doesn't hurt to be nice.
  21. Re:America by TWooster · · Score: 5, Funny

    What about every move I make?

    Every bond I break?

    Every step I take?

    Wait... Are you stalking me?

  22. Re:America by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Please pay me $0.025 for every breath you take.

    Wow. That's cheap. The RIAA wanted $10,000

    badum

  23. that's it by BitterAndDrunk · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm calling the Police.

    --
    You better watch out, there may be dogs about . . .