The long-running legal dispute over the popular mobile service “Please Call Me” has resurfaced in court, reigniting a debate that has spanned more than a decade and continues to shape public conversations about innovation, corporate responsibility, and fair compensation.
The case centres on the inventor of the Please Call Me service—a brief, zero-cost message that allows users with no airtime to request a callback. The invention became one of the most widely used mobile features across Africa, generating significant traffic and commercial value for the telecom operator that deployed it. Despite its impact, the inventor has maintained that he has not been adequately compensated for his contribution.
The renewed court battle focuses on a substantial claim: 40% of the revenue allegedly generated from the service. According to filings, the claimant argues that the company’s valuation and financial gains stemming from the service have been significantly underestimated. He insists that earlier negotiations and settlement proposals did not reflect the scale of the product’s success, prompting him to return to court to seek a fairer determination.
The telecom operator, however, disputes the figures and maintains that it has complied with previous court directives. The company argues that its independent valuation was conducted properly and that awarding 40% of revenue would be disproportionate based on the commercial realities surrounding the product. It also contends that the inventor’s claim is based on speculative financial assumptions rather than verified earnings.
Legal analysts say the case could set an important precedent for how corporations reward internal innovation, particularly when contributions come from employees or junior staff. The public has followed the matter closely, viewing it as a symbol of the struggle faced by African innovators seeking recognition within large institutions.
As the matter returns to court, both sides appear prepared for a prolonged legal process. The ruling—whenever it comes—will likely influence future conversations about intellectual property, employee innovation rights, and equitable compensation within Africa’s rapidly evolving tech and telecom sectors.
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