Vonage Expands VoIP Portfolio

MANHASSET, N.Y. — Broadband telephone services provider Vonage Holdings Corp. has acquired ownership of three patents from Digital Packet Licensing Inc. that enable voice over internet protocol technology (VoIP).

The three acquired patents, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,782,485, 5,018,136 and 5,444,707, relate to compression of packetized digital signals commonly used in VoIP technology.

"The acquisition of these patents is part of Vonage's strategic plan to further develop our core technology and build on our innovative, affordable and feature-rich phone service. Vonage's strategic plan also includes a concerted effort to grow, create and acquire other significant IP portfolios," said Michael Tribolet, president of Vonage America Inc. (Holmdel, N.J.), in a statement.

Tribolet added the acquisition of the VoIP patents gives the company an upper hand in pending federal litigation against Sprint Communications LP and Verizon Communications, among others, for infringing VoIP patents.

Vonage is now negotiating to cross-license its patents. Telecommunications companies including Motorola, Time Warner, Qwest Communications and others have already settled with and/or taken a license from Digital Packet on these VoIP patents. As a result of acquiring the VoIP patents, Vonage also assumes ownership and control over these agreements.