Check out the audacity of this quote from Skype’s recent attack on Fring. Fring, by the way, is a company that brings the Skype experience to more places than Skype’s own handcuffed developers have been allowed to take it.

Over time, Fring’s mis-use of our software was increasingly damaging our brand and reputation with our customers. On Friday, for example, Fring withdrew support for video calls over Skype on iOS 4 without warning, again damaging our brand and disappointing our customers, who have high expectations of the Skype experience.

If you click over the to the post Skype referenced, you’ll see that Fring didn’t carelessly remove that feature. Fring was overwhelmed with users so it had to pull video temporarily.

And if Skype thinks that not having video damages its brand, then it should thank Fring, since Fring brought Skype video calls to the iPhone long before Skype itself. As far as I can see, Skype still does not have video.

And if stripped features damage the Skype brand, then how much self-induced damage is Skype doing to its own brand:

Skype on Android: There is still no Android Skype app (it’s forever “coming soon”), but you can get a Skype Lite, which boasts “no WiFi or 3G required.” That’s because it can’t use WiFi or 3G. It makes calls on regular phone lines, like Google Voice does.

Skype on Verizon: Skype and Verizon have some confusing deal that gives you some Skype features but not others. As one reader commented when Gigaom announced this partnership, “The app is just awful and pointless. You can’t use it over Wi-Fi. You can’t use it to call US numbers. What good is this app?”

Skype on Blackberry: There is no Skype on Blackberry and as far as I can tell, there’s no plan to add it. (Even the Skype Blackberry blog is empty. How’s that for keeping the Skype brand polished?)

Skype on iPhone: A comment on Skype’s own blog post (the one which takes a jab at Fring), says it all: “When is the official skype app going to support iOS4 features (video chat, Multitasking, and so on). An update would be nice.”

But don’t take my word for it. Look at all the comments under Skype’s own blog post. Skype takes a jab at Fring, and Skype’s own users jab back at Skype. (See for yourself.) As far as I can tell, Fring’s developers are working harder for Skype and its users than Skype is.

Bottom line:

Skype, you have passionate users who depend on your service and want to love you. Instead of criticizing Fring, encourage it. And take an honest look at your own neglect.

(Skype photo via TechCrunch.)