Wireless and the Law: January 2008 Archives

There has been a class action law suite filed against T-Mobile for charging customers for text messages who did not want text messages.  The suit filed in Seattle, Washington, claims that T-Mobile charges  for text messages regardless of whether customers want them or not.

The plaintiffs contend that  T-Mobile USA’s texting policy violates federal telecom law and Washington state’s consumer protection-unfair business practices act. The suit did not contain a dollar figure for alleged damages. T-Mobile USA is based in Bellvue, Wash.

Palm Inc., the company who first brought the smartphone to the public is closing its 35 retails stores including stand alone stores and stores in airports.

Palm also announced what to meet the terms of a class-action lawsuit, it will give rebates to Treo 600 and 650 owners whose handsets were replaced or repaired at least twice. Rebates include  $75 for a Treo 600 and $50 for a Treo 650.. Palm s will also repair any Treo 600 or 650 that hasn’t failed twice, but is outside of the original warranty.
More information and claim forms are available online.

A federal judge has barred Qualcomm from selling three multimedia EV-DO chips that infringe on Broadcom patents. A "sunset provision," allows Qualcomm to continue selling older versions of the same products through January 2009, as long as Qualcomm pays Broadcom up to 6% royalties