AT&T Releases Attack Lawyers on Mobile Gadget News

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mpx200.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1097&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0' target='_blank'>http://www.mpx200.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1097&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0</a><br /><br /></div>"So I guess I have gone and done it now... I got a letter today via Airborne Express that in a nutshell says I have gone and exposed information that is proprietary and confidential about AT&amp;T Wireless and I have to immediately remove it. This is my first lawyer letter but probably won't be the last ;) The information in question was the stories from a week ago about the AT&amp;T PocketPC Roadmap for 2004."<br /><br />I always think it's the wrong approach when companies decide that the best way to deal with enthusiastic people who are interested in their products is to threaten them with legal action. :roll: The words "missing the point" are a gross understatement...AT&amp;T should instead be using this as an opportunity to engage with the crew at Mobile Gadget News and build a relationship with them. Lawyers are never the solution to situations like this. You can <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/letter1.gif">read a copy of the letter they sent.</a>

[Mike Temporale]

I have some problems with this letter:
The date on the letter seems rather odd, April 1st. Could this be someones idea of a joke?
Lawyers (or corporate councel) love their designations. This gentleman doesn't seem to have any listed.
The letter was sent "via overpayment mail". Huh?
If the information was proprietary and confidential, then how did you learn about it?


Sean, I'm sorry to see this happen, but I would be very careful of your actions, and you might want to consider having a lawyer take a look at this.

[Kris Kumar]

I always think it's the wrong approach when companies decide that the best way to deal with enthusiastic people who are interested in their products is to threaten them with legal action. :roll:

I agree...and it seems stupid when lawyers ask for the information to be taken off the website. Hello...its the internet age...even if it is taken off one, it has already been replicated on a ton of other sites.

But I guess once in a while corporations have to let their lawyers loose so that people learn to respect NDA and other confidential information.

[albert]

Not sure if I would call that letting the lawyers loose. Seemed like a very nice letter asking for the information they consider to be internal information, to be removed. Guess it depends where the information came from???

[randalllewis]

I agree with Mike T. This letter is odd. The date and the "via overpayment mail" line would seem to lean towards a prank. I think I might just wait until a second letter arrived before doing something in response.

On the bigger point, Jason is right this is a classic example of how not to treat your user base. But that seems to be par for the course for ATT Wireless these days. I am among the happy hordes who have taken our numbers and jumped their sinking ship.

[entropy1980]

Having been personally contacted by HP, and Palm for information i have posted on my site, I find it odd they didn't call you first. I recieved calls from Lawyers from HP and Palm and also from a VP at HP. They first requested it to be removed. I declined saying they needed to send a cease and desist order if they wanted it pulled as there is no reason for me to pull items of free speech freedom of press off of my website. They didn't like it too much when i said that :) needless to say no legal action was ever pursued and I left the items on my site.

[possmann]

I agree with Mike - seems to be a bit odd.

then again if it is true, it just goes to show you that they like to slit their throats more than they are doing now - :lol: Never turn down free marketing and hype especially if it puts your company in a positive light.

ATT just doesn't get it and they never will - Why did MS pick them of all carriers, to launch the MPx200? :roll:

[randalllewis]

Why did MS pick them of all carriers, to launch the MPx200?

Easy. Both companies are based in Redmond, WA. The CEO's probably lunch at the same McDonalds :D

[WintermuteX]

ATT are a-holes, they have even told me to shut up and and hung up on while talking to there customer service people. They doing give a crap about their customers and you should seriously consider before giving them any of your business.