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Federal Court Shuts Down Pay As You Go Wireless

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the pay-as-you-go-out-of-business dept.

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."

8 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".

  4. 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 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?
  5. 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!
  6. 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?