Vonage disruptions due to patent judgment
Mar 24, 2007, 9:54 pm
#1
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Vonage disruptions due to patent judgment
I know Vonage management has stated there will be no disruptions to customers due to the judgment that the breached the patent for VoIP technology held by Verizon, but can any FTers give me a reality check on this. Our only home phone and my wife's business line is on Vonage.
Does Verizon really own VoIP technology patents? Doesn't that preclude any of the other VoIP providers from providing VoIP service? I don't much about this topic.
Does Verizon really own VoIP technology patents? Doesn't that preclude any of the other VoIP providers from providing VoIP service? I don't much about this topic.
Mar 25, 2007, 4:40 am
#2
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Well, the court has ruled Vonage in violation of Verizon's patenets, so I guess that decision has been made. Further, a court has issued an injunction against vonage continuing to use the infringing technology.
My understanding is that Verizon's patents cover the besic technology by which any VOIP service connects to the POTS system, as defined in published standards for this. So if Vonage gets hit others will get hit.
A bit more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vonage#Verizon_lawsuit
My home phone's on Vonage. I'm actually more concerned about losing the number (going on 20 years with this number).
My understanding is that Verizon's patents cover the besic technology by which any VOIP service connects to the POTS system, as defined in published standards for this. So if Vonage gets hit others will get hit.
A bit more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vonage#Verizon_lawsuit
My home phone's on Vonage. I'm actually more concerned about losing the number (going on 20 years with this number).
Mar 25, 2007, 5:01 am
#3
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IMHO, this rather transparent attempt by a big monopoly in a dying business (landlines) to put a new competitor out of business is not likely to end in success for Verizon.
I agree with the Vonage statement that the Ct of Appeals will almost certainly stay the injunction pending appeal. By the time there is a final decision, several years down the line, Vonage will probably have taken over Verizon.
By the way, even if Verizon was finally able to enforce what it claims to be its patents, IMHO, there would compusory licensing of those patents to all competition.
I agree with the Vonage statement that the Ct of Appeals will almost certainly stay the injunction pending appeal. By the time there is a final decision, several years down the line, Vonage will probably have taken over Verizon.
By the way, even if Verizon was finally able to enforce what it claims to be its patents, IMHO, there would compusory licensing of those patents to all competition.
Mar 25, 2007, 7:04 am
#4
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Mar 25, 2007, 2:19 pm
#5
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The Federal Government can, and has in some cases, nullified patents in the national interest. Im not sure that would be relevent here, the only case(s) I know about are much more extreme. However, I doubt that the FCC would let Verizon use the patents to create monopoly.
Mar 27, 2007, 10:59 am
#6
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Actually, the jury's verdict was infringement on 3 of 5 patents only, and a 5.5% royalty if there was no injunction. However, the injunction was granted.
For those of you with pro-Vonage optimism -- What's the basis for it?
For those of you with pro-Vonage optimism -- What's the basis for it?
Mar 27, 2007, 11:13 am
#7
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Steve