Freedom 251 ‘prototype maker’ calls it scam, threatens legal action
Domestic electronics brand Adcom today lashed out at Ringing Bells-- the company claiming to make the world's cheapest smartphone-- by calling it 'the biggest scam of the millennium'. Amidst a lot of fanfare, Noida-based startup Ringing Bells announced in February to make Freedom 251 smartphone for Rs 251, less than $4.
A lot of controversies soon surrounded the startup with the smartphone industry unanimously declaring that the Freedom 251 is impossible and is just a publicity gimmick.
While the company is still to start production of Freedom 251 smartphone units, the company handed over the review units to select journalists just before the launch.
Shortly after, it was discovered that the Freedom 251 is actually Adcom Ikon 4. Ringing Bells had simply concealed Adcom's branding on the review devices with white ink and two layers of plastic screen guards. Also, on the back of the device, it had covered Adcom's branding with a sticker of the Indian flag, suggesting it is linked to government's Make In India programme.
In its defence, Ringing Bells justified its actions by calling it a prototype device and claimed that the final Freedom 251 version would be similar.
Taking offence, Sanjeev Bhatia, founder and chairman, Advantage Computers (ADCOM) said, "To clear the air around, I would like to underline few facts pertaining to case, as this scam exhibits the potential of maligning our brand name ADCOM which is our trademark since 2001. It is true that, although we sold the handsets to Ringing Bells earlier, like we sell ADCOM mobiles to lakhs of users, we were absolutely unaware of the reselling plans of the company in question."
Commenting on the pricing of Freedom 251, Bhatia said, "We still haven't been able to evaluate their pricing policy, as we sold the handsets at Rs 3,600 per unit. We are deeply grieved by this incident where our mobile phone has been presented to masses for Rs 251."
Hinting at possible action against Ringing Bells, he added, "We would not hesitate from taking any legal actions against the company, in case the entire fiasco impacts ADCOM's brand name or subsequently we face any other kind of losses. We would also like to assert that ADCOM is in no way connected or linked with Ringing Bells or Freedom 251 and bears no responsibility whatsoever, in the whole swindle and regret the inconvenience caused to our valued customers from all over the country."
Freedom 251 ‘prototype maker’ calls it scam, threatens legal action - Times of India