Following up on its $80 million settlement [1] from its Vonage lawsuit last year, Sprint is milking its 115 VoIP patents by suing NuVox Communications, Broadvox Holdings, Big River Telephone and Paetec Communications. The carrier claims the four companies are violating six of its patents and is seeking both damages and an injunction. Reportedly, Sprint did not try to negotiate a licensing agreement with any of the companies before filing the lawsuit. GigaOM quipped that Sprint may see patent litigation as an easier means to cashflow than its much needed corporate turnaround.
For more on the suits:
- read this report [2] from GigaOM
- take a look at this release [3]
Related articles:
Vonage faces Sprint suit Report [4]
Sprint sues Vonage, others, over patents Report [5]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercevoip.com/story/vonage-settles-sprint/2007-10-08
[2] http://gigaom.com/2008/01/24/sprint-finds-cash-in-patent-filings/
[3] http://www.fiercewireless.com/press-releases/sprint-takes-legal-action-protect-vop-patent-portfolio
[4] http://www.fiercevoip.com/story/vonage-faces-sprint-suit/2007-08-13
[5] http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/sprint-nextel-sues-vonage-others-for-patent-infringement/2005-10-05