Vonage encounters hitch in patent trial
updated 10:05 am EDT, Fri May 4, 2007
Vonage Hitch in Trial
Vonage late yesterday was denied its attempt at forcing a retrial in its Verizon patent case, according to the US Court of Appeals. The court said that an attempt by Vonage to force a retrial based on a separate Monday ruling, which prevented patents for "obvious" product evolution, wasn't necessary and that the new decision would be useful enough in the appeals process. Verizon had argued that a retrial was a waste of time.
When asked about its response to the denial, Vonage said the decision would have little impact on its existing plans. "We're just going to continue with our appeal," said company spokeswoman Brooke Schulz.
Vonage has been at risk of losing the ability to run some or all of its VoIP phone service since March, when a judge ruled against it and said the company was violating multiple patents Verizon owns relating to phone service.
