Sprint Nextel is suing three VoIP providers, including Vonage, for patent infringement on the company's VoIP technology holdings. Sprint alleges that Vonage, Voiceglow and theglobe.com "willfully infringed" on seven of the company's patents that relate to the processing and delivery of voice and data information. The carrier is seeking unspecified monetary damages and an injunction to prevent the companies from infringing on its patents in the future. Vonage claims 1 million subscribers to its VoIP services.
Sprint Nextel's lawsuit follows closely on the heels of its drawn out acquisition of Gulf Coast Wireless, which was suing the carrier for an alleged breach of a noncompete agreement. Sprint's interest in pursuing the infringement suit also surfaces amid rumors of a Vonage initial public offering of stock. Vonage has raised $406 million to date in venture capital. Sprint said it tried to negotiate deals with each of the parties in its patent infringement suit, but the talks did not produce any agreements.
For more on Sprint's VoIP patent infringement suit:
- check out this article from the Kansas City Business Journal