Well, here we go again! In this lawsuit-happy world we live in, it should come as no surprise that FreeConference.com has filed suit against AT&T for blocking its wireless customers from calling FreeConference.com’s access numbers. You may recall that Cingular recently blocked accesss to popular free conference calling services, citing “high access rates” that fall solely on AT&T’s financial shoulders.
AT&T argues that it is within their legal rights, and in their TOS, to block access to FreeConference.com’s access numbers (among others). But, apparently, FreeConference.com thinks otherwise – and they are not going to take this whole blocking business lying down. Rather than simply taking AT&T to court to deliberate whether or not cutting off wireless customers from certain access numbers is legit, FreeConference.com has filed for an injuction to keep their access numbers…well, accessible. The suit states:
Plaintiff seeks injunctive relief in part because there is no adequate remedy at law to prevent the imminent destruction of FreeConference’s business and reputation on account of AT&T’s unlawful self-help and unilateral refusal to deal with FreeConference’s customers…
When you put it like that, how can you not feel for the little guy? Especially when that little guy is offering a free service? But, while other free calling services, like FuturePhone and FonPods, have gone the way of the floppy drive, FreeConference.com is digging in for the coming legal battle with giant AT&T. And FreeConference.com has setup a FAQ page outlining its side of the story. As for AT&T’s side, well, maybe we would all care a bit more about their side if they decided to lower their wireless rates. I know I would.