RSSCrazy Frog Ringtone Under Fire in UK
By Ed Oswald | Published June 29, 2005, 11:58 AM
The British government has decided to launch an investigation into the sales practices of the "Crazy Frog" ringtone. The move comes after complaints were received from parents of children who claimed they were tricked into signing up for pricey subscription plans by downloading the ringtone.
Regulators say over 100 complaints have been received against MBlox, the company that sells the ringtones in the UK. The ringtone was created by Jamster, which has already been sued in California for a similar complaint.
Crazy Frog itself has become widely popular in Britain and made history as the first ringtone to cross over onto the music charts and reach number 1 above Coldplay.
Consumers who attempt to download the ringtone may be also purchasing a 3 pound per week subscription plan, which is equivalent to about USD $20 per month. However, MBlox does not make it clear that the ringtone is part of a subscription service.
"If it's a subscription service, that has to be made perfectly clear," a spokesman for Icstis, the regulating body, told reporters.
Other than the subscription service issues, MBlox may face further restrictions if it is found to be targeting children under 16, which Icstis has reason to believe it does. "Because it is a cartoon character, to us that seems arguably targeted at children."
MBlox was unavailable for comment by press time.
I think it is one of the worst ringtones to have on your mobile phone. I know someone that has the axelf ringtone, and I am sick of it already.
i wish they would take the adverts of the television as well. they must get on other peoples nerves as well as my own.
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|I just wish they would stop playing it (at what seems to be) every ad break on every channel.
I watch TV to escape the annoyances of daily life not have it thrust in my face every 10-15 mins.
Anyone else notice that these days, the ads seem to have the volume twice that of the actual TV programme.
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|Well, I can clearly see the statement on their adverts that tell you that you are signing up to a subscription service, at £3 a week, or whatever.
There are mugs born every minute..
PS. I have a friend in Nigeria, whis uncle has just died and needs a UK bank account to put the money in, if someone wants to send me their bank details, i'll pop the money in..
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|IMO.. I have seen these commercials as well as many others of simular ilk. VERY CLEARLY stated on the commercials (and very clearly eliquated in the radio ads) is the disclaimer stating that subscribing to the service is a requirement. On the TV ads the price of the service is even clearly listed. People need to get a life and learn how to read instead of suing everyone under the sun for their own ignorance
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|I agree but recording details for minors is illegal. They arent allowed to target under 16's
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|Well, we all know frogs suck, I guess so does MBlox.
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|I feel bad those people actually paid for a ringtone. Poor bas****s.
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