[asterisk-biz] Vonage Vs. Verizon Update

[Mark C]

Steve Totaro wrote:

> A hardware provider and a service provider are two completely 
> different animals.
> It is legal (in Maryland anyways) to sell products such drug 
> paraphernalia, it only becomes a problem when it is used.
>
> Thanks
> Steve
>
This is not entirely true.  A product manufactured with the intent for 
illegal use or specifically used to facility illegal activity is an 
illegal item.  When it involves interstate commerce then its a federal 
issue.  If you don't believe me then go ask Tommy Chong.  The only 
exception to this are firearms which are protected in the US 
Constitution.  I don't care to debate the points of state law as they 
don't apply here.

What concerns me more is the curiously absence of Cisco Systems.   It is 
my understanding that Vonage is largely a Cisco house (if not then 
substitute appropriate vendor).  These patents involve using equipment 
in their "Designed & Intended" use thus making the hardware manufacturer 
liable on some points.  A company like Cisco has the "Guns & Ammo" 
(Lawyers & Money)  to engage in a fight of this nature without a major 
impact to their bottom line.  Vonage on the other hand has to draw 
finance from other areas (e.g. marketing, system development, etc.) for 
the duration thus slowing their growth unless they can come up with 
additional capital for the fight. 

Maybe this will remind Vonage that they are more like the small players 
then the "Big Telcos" and start "playing nice" with the community that 
they grew from.

Just my opinion, feel free to differ...

Mark Coccimiglio
IS Manager
Payroll Services Hawaii, Inc.
http://www.psh-inc.com
FWD: 293625


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