Sprint Nextel yesterday announced that it has sued internet phone service providers Vonage Holdings, Voiceglo Holdings and Voiceglo's parent company, theglobe.com, alleging wilful infringement of seven patents held by the recently merged US telco.

According to Sprint Nextel, the patents protect a series of innovations that enable the processing and delivery of voice and data communications in discrete packets, including Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications.

"We are not claiming to have invented voice over packet technology, but we do have patents that have facilitated the use of this technology, and we will take appropriate action to protect the use of these patents," spokeswoman Debra Peterson told Reuters.

The company has not explained how Vonage and Voiceglo have infringed upon its patents, but is seeking an injunction and unspecified monetary damages.

Vonage has yet to comment on the suit, but Ed Cespedes, President of theglobe.com and Voiceglo Holdings, said he believed the complaint had no merit. "Voiceglo's technology is unique, proprietary and patent pending," he said.

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