Is this a BIG PROBLEM for MagicJack?

[laserjobs]

http://www.telecommagazine.com/newsglob ... ID=AR_4003
Imitators beware; i2Telecom gets VoiceStick patent

Protection covers portable VoIP service access module technology

by Jim Barthold

Wed. March 5, 2008

i2Telecom has garnered U.S. patent protection for its VoiceStick portable VoIP service access module, a key chain- sized device that inserts directly into a USB port to enable domestic and international calls over the Internet.


“We are the only Internet telephony company that has this patent,” said Paul Arena, CEO-chairman of i2Telecom who said the company filed for the patent in mid-2004. “It’s our first patent and it’s going to be the first in a long line of intellectual property patents that we hope to get over the next year.”

While i2Telecom is the only Internet telephony company with such a patent, it’s not the only company that’s selling the technology, Arena said.

“There are a number of users that are using technology based on our platform in the marketplace today (and) it didn’t necessarily come from us,” he said. “If you go to a big box retailer you’ll see a number of other companies that have soft clients on a USB drive. That’s why we think this is an extraordinarily valuable patent today and in the future because so many companies have adopted the method.”

The VoiceStick, once inserted into the USB port, enables a dial pad so the user can call any telephone in the world directly from the computer. Patent protection encompasses 30 claims and runs until 2025. Additionally, i2Telecom is seeking patent protection in several other countries around the world, the company said.

Ideally, Arena would like those with patent-infringing technologies to purchase a license from i2Telecom; realistically, he knows this may not happen without legal action.

“I can’t discuss that right just yet,” he said. “There are a number of companies out there that are infringing on us. just leave it at that for now, but we’ll have more to talk about there as we go forward, I bet.”

[strndedinalska]

Could be. Also, more than likely the final coffin nail for Vonage, which also sells a similar device, but already has a dozen $50 Million plus judgments. Could also affect Voice Stick as well as a few others.

Just so all of you know, I'm submitting both a copyright and a patent on the question mark. Just to show what a good guy I am, I'll settle up with anyone over the next month who wants to avoid the high cost of litigation.

[johnatnro]

strndedinalska,

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[AlaninKY]

It's not possible for us outsiders to know the details of the patents of the various companies to know if there is a patent issue with magicJack.

[strndedinalska]

strndedinalska,

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OK. That's gonna be $10,516.35 for each one, but I'll let you off the hook for $9,800 each if you send me a certified bank check by the end of the week. The whole patent thing is just ridiculous. If I catch someone using something then run down and get a patent on it, I can sue regardless of how long the technology has been around.

[johnatnro]

strndedinalska - I'm a little short on cash, how about Bear Stearns shares at, say, the price a year ago?

Patents and trade marks are wonderful. Just look at what big corporations can claim as their own, almost anything they want. From experience, I can tell you that the common people can't do it!