Vonage: "we'll appeal"

No surprise there. Vonage is not one to roll over, even when Patent infringement decisions go against them as it did today.

Here's the statement just posted by Vonage:

Vonage announced that it will seek to overturn today's U.S. District Court jury verdict in a patent infringement lawsuit brought by Sprint Communications Company L.P. and continue focusing on providing reliable, quality digital phone service.

Federal court jurors in Kansas City, Kansas ruled in favor of Sprint, finding that Vonage had willfully infringed Sprint's patents in providing its VoIP telephony services, and awarding $69.5 million in damages, which the jury found to be five percent of Vonage's revenues over the infringing period.

Vonage will ask the court to set aside the verdict, and if it is not granted, will vigorously pursue an appeal of the decision, including the underlying issue of liability and the willfulness aspect. Vonage believes any damages awarded are inappropriate. In addition, we will seek to develop technological workarounds that don't infringe on Sprint's patents.

"We are disappointed that the jury did not recognize that our technology differs from that of Sprint's patents," said Sharon O'Leary, chief legal officer for Vonage. "Our top priority is to provide high-quality, reliable digital phone service to our customers. Vonage has already demonstrated that it can keep its focus on customers and on its core business while managing ongoing litigation," she added.

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