Sprint Nextel yesterday announced that it has sued internet
phone service providers Vonage Holdings, Voiceglo Holdings and
Voiceglo's parent company, theglobe.com, alleging wilful
infringement of seven patents held by the recently merged US
telco.
According to Sprint Nextel, the patents protect a series of
innovations that enable the processing and delivery of voice and
data communications in discrete packets, including Voice over
Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications.
"We are not claiming to have invented voice over packet
technology, but we do have patents that have facilitated the use of
this technology, and we will take appropriate action to protect the
use of these patents," spokeswoman Debra Peterson told Reuters.
The company has not explained how Vonage and Voiceglo have
infringed upon its patents, but is seeking an injunction and
unspecified monetary damages.
Vonage has yet to comment on the suit, but Ed Cespedes,
President of theglobe.com and Voiceglo Holdings, said he believed
the complaint had no merit. "Voiceglo's technology is unique,
proprietary and patent pending," he said.
