Verizon vs Vonage: Sprinting to a Rescue? NOT!

From Rollerball (1975): John Houseman playing Bartholomew: "The game was created to demonstrate the futility of individual effort. And the game must do its work.

The Energy Corporation has done all it can, and if a champion defeats the meaning for which the game was designed, then he must lose. I hope you agree with my reasoning....

P.A. Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, our Corporate Anthem
..."

Vonage has admitted to the court that it has no good workaround to continue to provide service to its customers in the event it is required to no longer use any technology that infringes on patents owned by Verizon.

As the Nattering One pointed out some time back... this was inevitable since the "patents" cover a way of doing business, neither does any other VOip provider.

Verizon DID NOT invent VOip and DID NOT invent any of the concepts covered in these patently BOGUS patents.

Moonpie: What do you want books for? Look Johnny, if you wanna learn somethin', just get a Corporate Teacher to come and teach it to ya'. Use yer Privilege Card.

Jonathan E.: Misplace some data?
Librarian: The whole of the thirteenth century.


The Washington Post has hopped on the
patent validity band wagon as well.

"If you translate these patents so ridiculously broadly, then there's nothing left, everybody infringes."

Rumor has it that Verizon will soon enforce an obscure patent for the placement and use of salt and pepper shakers in public restaurants and cafeterias...

The Nattering One muses as to what type of "shake down" will ensue??
Bada Bing, Bada Bang, Buttafuco...

"Ella: But comfort is freedom. The entire history of civilization is a struggle against poverty and need.

Jonathan E.: No, that's not it. That's never been it. I mean, them privileges just buy us off
."

Meanwhile...
Lightreading reports that Vonage is talking partial buyout with another advisarial holder of bogus patents - Sprint Nextel.

"Our sources confirm Sprint and Vonage have been in talks about the patent issue, and one source says Vonage is considering selling itself to Sprint."

Vonage is also being sued by Sprint Nextel for infringing on its patents, but executives from Vonage said last week that a settlement is likely in that case.

Begging the question: Why would Sprint want to buy Vonage? Answer: Same reason Verizon would like to...

With Vonage's stock tanking on the lawsuit news... Vonage's 2.4 million customer subscriber base can be picked up for approximately $150 per subscriber, and thats a bargain...

Here's the snag: Unless Sprint or any suitor has a license to use the VERIZON patents, or has an obvious way to avoid them, which is IMPOSSIBLE, it is hard to see why anyone other than Verizon, would want to buy Vonage.

Today, Vonage said BK is a possibility in a 10-K document filed with the SEC:

"We are, and may in the future be, subject to damaging and disruptive intellectual property litigation that could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, as well as the continued viability of our company."

Vonage stock fell nearly 7% today, a day after releasing its
annual report to the SEC.

Reporter: What about the rumors of no time limit for the championship?
Jonathan E.: I don't think it'll come to that... it's still a game.
Rusty, Team Executive: Game? This wasn't meant to be a game. NEVER.

P.A. Announcer: [before the start of the New York game] Your attention please... Rule changes for tonight's World Championship Game: No substitutions, no penalties... and no time limit!


We can only hope that on April 24th the court gets it right and allows Vonage to continue operations while this case goes to appeal.

Anything less would be a heinous violation of the Sherman Anti Trust Act and a reaffirmation of corporate America's effort to strangle competition and limit consumer choice.

Jonathan E.: Four or five little things make one big thing.
P.A. Announcer: "Ladies and gentlemen, will you stand please for the playing of our Corporate Hymn."


Once again, a BIG tip o the hat to
PGL at Angry Bear ; Dr. David Altig at Macroblog ; and Dr. James Hamilton at Econbrowser for their assist in getting the word out regarding Vonage vs Verizon.

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