Vonage is to pay $80m to Sprint to settle a infringement case over Voice over Packet (VOP) patents held by Sprint.

Vonage is paying $35m for the past use of the technology, $40m for a full paid future license and $5m for prepayment of services.

Last month, a Kansas jury found that Vonage had infringed six Sprint patents and awarded the telecoms giant $69.5m in damages and a five per cent royalty on revenues. Today's, larger, settlement now means that it has Sprint off its back for good.

In March, Vonage lost another patent infringement case against Verizon. A US jury awarded Verizon $58m and five per cent royalties. Vonage was denied the chance to appeal. We assume Verizon will try to wring Vonage until its pips squeak.

In the past Vonage said it could afford to pay fund both settlements. But the company remains heavily lossmaking. It needs to get more customers pronto. ®

Related stories

• Vonage shakes off patent disputes (31 December 2007)
• Vonage to stump up $120m to Verizon (19 November 2007)
• Comment Is Sprint getting cold feet about Pivot and Xohm? (8 November 2007)
• Vonage shuts door on Verizon suit (almost) (26 October 2007)
• AT&T embraces let's-sue-Vonage fad (22 October 2007)
• Sprint Nextel and Verizon jury trials have Vonage on the brink (6 October 2007)
• Vonage trips $69.5m patent (26 September 2007)
• Vonage works around Verizon patents (10 August 2007)
• ASA slaps Vonage over price comparison ads (4 July 2007)
• Vonage denied retrial in patent case (4 May 2007)
• Vonage gets injunction stay made permanent (25 April 2007)
• Vonage chief walks (13 April 2007)
• Vonage ordered to pay $58m in Verizon patent flap (8 March 2007)