Skype threatens Fring with legal action after launch of iphone 4

Fring, a popular  application that lets users communicate with friends on popular networks via their mobile phones, has been threatened to remove support for the Skype Protocol via a class action lawsuit. Fring allows users to make free mobile calls, video calls, live chat and more, all from their mobile phone.

However, it is only able to do this through services like Google talk and Skype. For over four years Skype and Fring have gotten along nicely.  According to Fring, “Skype’s anti-competitive ambush comes in the wake of fring’s mobile video calling
on iPhone 4 launch, which continues to set the standard in rich
mobile internet communication.” Full article after the break.

London, United Kingdom, 12 July 2010. fring, the multi-award
winning mobile over internet communication service, today announces that
it is being forced to stop its 4 years of Skype interconnectivity
following threat of legal action. Skype’s anti-competitive ambush comes
in the wake of fring’s mobile video calling
on iPhone 4 launch, which continues to set the standard in rich
mobile internet communication.

Since its foundation in 2006, fring’s rich mobile communications have
been available to both fring users and open 3rd party networks including
GoogleTalk, SIP, Twitter and, until now, Skype. However, despite fring
expanding its network capacity over the last days to serve its enlarged
user base, Skype is refusing to allow fring to restore connectivity to
Skype. Accordingly, fringsters will no longer be able to communicate
with their Skype friends the way they want, but can invite their Skype
friends to join fring and enjoy unrestricted mobile video calling from
any mobile phone, chat and voice services without restriction to a
user’s mobile operator and the freedom to choose internet connectivity
(3G/4G/WiFi).

“We are disappointed that Skype, who once championed
the cause of openness, is now attempting to muzzle competition,
even to the detriment of its own users” said Avi Shechter, fring’s
Co-Founder and CEO “We apologize to our users for the impact of Skype’s
bullying and we will be happy to reconnect with Skype once Skype
reverses their decision.” Avi continued, “We believe in communication
openness and know that users will continue to vote with their mobile
phones – opting for fring’s innovation, clarity, honesty and openness”.

fring’s newest version is now available for download from fring’s
website here and from
appstores.

Let freedom fring!

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