Verizon Loses VoIP Patent Suit Against Cox

US-based telecoms company Verizon Communications has lost its patent-infringement suit against cable TV service provider Cox Communications after a Virginia court ruled that Cox did not infringe on six Verizon patents related to internet telephony.

Verizon had accused Cox of infringing six patents. It was seeking $404m in damages from Cox, citing a lawsuit it filed against Vonage Holdings in 2006 that it won last March when Vonage paid $120m in settlement costs, plus 5.5% in royalties on revenue.

Verizon spokesperson David Fish said: “Verizon is a major-league innovator in new technology for our customers, and we will continue to innovate and to protect our patented inventions.”

However, the latest verdict could now make it difficult for Verizon to extract royalties from cable providers for internet-based telephony.