Free case for HTC EVO 4G LTE buyers who put up with the delay from Customs

Those who pre-ordered the HTC EVO 4G LTE had to deal with an unexpected delay when the phone along with the HTC One X (AT&T model) was prevented from entering the U.S. by Customs. The reason, as you probably know now, is that the ITC had issued an exclusion order against certain HTC devices preventing them from entering the States starting April 19th. The whole thing started from a court ruling that said the Taiwan based manufacturer had infringed on Apple's patents.

HTC had actually made a huge change to the software in its phones headed for the States by shipping the units with a workaround instead of the infringing software. We're not sure if this clever move by HTC was the key that unlocked the door and allowed the phones to enter the U.S., but the bottom line is that both models are now making their way into the states. And some of those who received the once banned HTC EVO 4G LTE have received a package with more than just the phone. Sprint has told The Verge that everyone who had pre-ordered the phone will receive a letter of apology from Sprint, and a free HTC TPU case. Sprint said that its customers should be surprised and delighted and no, the case cannot be exchanged for another accessory (still surprised and delighted?). While that covers those who pre-ordered the HTC EVO 4G LTE via Sprint, what about those who walked into Best Buy and picked up their pre-ordered phone. Any apology from the big box retailer?With other models possibly getting stopped at the border, the carriers and retailers better start taking out paper and pen to write apologies. At the same time, they should also best be ordering a few thousand gross of new cases just in case U.S. Customs has to act tough again.

source: TheVerge via Phandroid