Google Launches Google Voice, Gets Sued

what if google counter sues them for stealing the idea, since they tried to throw a patent on the same day...

It's hard to sue a company that is taking over the world. It's like trying to sue England in the 1700s

Google, I have a few words for you:
"Trash them, trash them in a court of law and then trash them agian!"

I'm with Google on this one.
1) I've never heard of Frontier Comm
2) They sued on the same day? already prepared I see.
3) "infringement of the patent significantly and "irreparably" damaged Frontier..."
how is it irreparable? doesn't make sense. Just because you see 1.5% market drop this year, it doesn't mean it was caused by Google. It was caused by you!

I want to sue the patent office for stifling innovation. Can I do that?

Google has been using the voice service as a beta for 6 months or more I think. I doubt they stand a chance, and will waste more money trying to settle this .

I have been using google voice since last year.
I don't if Frontier Communications Corp is aware that AT&T had a service (True Connections 500)just like the Google Voice service since the early 1990s.
Furthermore Google got this service when it acquire GrandCentral in 2007.
They just want a piece of the pie but they failed to do a little bit of research.
Why

Vonage has offered this service for years now. My dad has it for his insurance business.

On top of that, don't call center phone systems with hunt groups do this same thing?

Their patent is so invalid.

It is amazing anything at all can get done with all the patent suites flying around...

I thought it took quite a while to actually have a patent filed. I would assume it would take at least a few weeks for a patent to be researched against other patents and validated? Maybe they placed the patent order a while ago and it just so happens the patent was coincedentally filed on that date? I am sure Google must have patented this idea...unless they don't bother placing patents on everything because all that red tape impedes progress? Plus they have far too much money to actually worry about having to compensate someone if they do infringe. Especially such a new product that has not made any money yet. What could possibly be the damages? I bet its not more than ten million. The CEO of Google probably carries that around in his wallet.

most companies would be throwing parties if they only dropped 1.5% last year...

I've had my Google Voice account for...hmmm...maybe a year?

Well isn't this ironic.

I've used Google Voice since the beta was first released. And my internet provider happens to be Frontier Communications.

Filed: September 1, 2009

this company should stfu, its still making money and putting out dividends. In the past 1 year, their stock has gone up around 8%. Yeah, google's has gone up by 16%, but I don't see any damage being done when you're still making money and growing. Since beginning in the 70's the stock price has gone up by 213%.

And its about time the patent system is redone, too many bs patents being given out.

Hoping for a quick settlement? To me, the patent is so bloody broad, it falls under "look and feel" to me...

Why do people always think they can take down Corporate giants? Google's team of lawyers probably costs more than Frontier makes annually.

This is a feature with any VOIP system. I don't see where the issue is, or how this company can hold a patent on it. They weren't the first.

I think a companies intent should be taken into consideration when they file a patent. They just happened to be ready to file a lawsuit the very day Google released its service to the public? Sounds to me like they waited until Google was vested int he idea (and thus, would incur significant costs to pull their product), thus Google would be more inclined to settle. I say if Frontier heard about Google Voice months ago when the beta rolled out, and purposefully decided to wait until Google released the product, that should invalidate their claims. Yes, the Patent office should protect peoples inventions, but those same patents shouldn't be used for a free payday.

It the same thing with HTML5 and Ogg Theora. The big companies (Apple, Microsoft, etc...) are claiming they don't want to use Ogg because they're afraid someone with a patent claim is waiting for a big company to support it, which is just crap. I saw release a press statement about Ogg, give companies a year to assert any patent claims, then call the technology safe from patent and let the world use it. Why should a company like Google have to support it before some patent troll in Texas says "oh yeah, we had a patent for that, but we've had our heads buried up our own ass for the past 5 years and hadn't heard of Ogg Theora until Google released VP8.

Google published the use of the technology when they released Google Voice beta. This should have started a ticking clock. Give companies one year to investigate a product to see if it infringes their patent. If they fail to file suit within a reasonable amount of time, they lose their right to defend their patent (just like trademarks). They shouldn't be able to wait until Google has invested millions or billions in the tech before suing.

destroy them google.

Let's just say that their patent is legitimate and Google Voice does infringe on it. They can only sue companies that infringe after the patent exists right? Google would in effect be grandfathered in due to them already using the technology prior to the patent.
All I know is when Google makes a statement like, "We'll defend against them vigorously," it doesn't look good for whatever chump company is doing the sueing.

patent trolls
i hope they get crushed
I don't love google but i hate patent trolls

I had Bellsouth Powercall in 1992, called all my phones and received faxes from 1 phone number

Frontier are the arses who have screwed my state of Maine with their bad service.Many many complaints against them.They are not a nice company and also have a lot of financial issues so this is how they will get money.
they are scum and this patent is BS.I hope google can sue them and take them to the cleaners.Frontier deserves it and you can just google them and read if you don't know who they are.

The problem is we don't know what is "actually" patented. You can't patent an idea, such as, "I think it would be cool to have hover cars". You actually have to have the technology to make one, or at least a workable theory. The patent is for the technology behind the idea, not the idea itself.

Frontier down 1.5%? Of course this couldn't be due to the horrendous service they provide /gasp. If I had a choice to use a different ISP I sure as hell wouldn't be using them for their glorious 256/160 DSL @ 45/m.

Prior art all day long. They should have saved their money trying to patent their 'invention'. It's a shame though. There was a time when having a US Patent meant something.

Now, instead of sponsoring your local little league, radio station, and newspaper, you just have to snap up a bogus patent and sue the first big company you see infringing on it. Sure, you'll lose the suit, but what about all that free press!

Frontier isnt a bad telephone company especially when compared to AT&T. They are probably one of the better smaller CLEC's i've encountered. However, they are taking on more than they can chew by suing google. Frontier does not have enough money to battle them in court. End of subject. Regardless of the validity of their patent, they would STILL get destroyed, because as OJ proved, its not about justice its about money and who has more. Besides, their patent isnt likely valid any way. So, way to go on Frontier choosing to die on this hill.

so retarded - why is this even news?

I'd be interested to see if Cisco is licensing this from Frontier...

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/co [...] Paper.html