VONAGE VIOLATES VERIZON PATENTS - MUST PAY $58 MILLION FINE

From USA Today:

Internet phone provider Vonage must pay Verizon $58 million in damages for infringing on three of the phone giant's technology patents, a jury ruled on Thursday. The U.S. District Court in Virginia has scheduled a March 23 hearing to determine whether Vonage can continue to use the patented technology — which goes to the heart of how it provides low-cost Internet telephone service to more than 2 million customers. If the court lets Vonage use the technology, then it must pay Verizon 5.5% of total revenue on an ongoing basis, the jury ruled. That could tack an additional $47 million to $50 million onto Vonage's tab this year.