By Sharla Sikes

Ouch. Poor Vonage. It’s been lawsuit after lawsuit after lawsuit.

Well, if you happen to think Vonage brought all this upon its own head, then disregard the “Poor Vonage” part.

Now it’s Klausner Technologies accusing Vonage of infringing on one of Klausner’s patents for voice messaging.

Klausner and Vonage settled out of court with undisclosed terms, though the deal was described as “not material” and the company says it has granted a license to Vonage.

“We are happy to add Vonage to our growing list of licensees,” Klausner Chief Executive Judah Klausner said in a statement.

Klausner sued Vonage in July, seeking $180 million in damages and royalties and claiming it controls some 25 patents for internet phone voicemail services.

The VoIP provider faces more troubles still, however. Vonage is currently seeking a full appeals court review of the Verizon case.  Vonage is hoping to have the verdicts reversed in an earlier patent infringement case.

“This move represents the next logical step for Vonage in managing this litigation and continuing to move our business forward,” Vonage Chief Legal Officer Sharon O’Leary said in a statement. “We recently settled our case with Sprint, and continue to explore all legal options available to put the Verizon litigation to rest.”

The verdicts, upholding two out of three patent infringement accusations, could cost Vonage $58 million. It has already paid some $80 million to Sprint. The cases could create a serious—if not fatal—setback for Vonage, whose stocks have been yo-yoing this summer.

“It’s going to be a very, very tough squeeze for Vonage,” said Michael Gartenberg, vice president and research director at JupiterResearch. “It’s hard to see how they can compete against all those things and still change the game.”

Some in the industry see a ray of light, though; the settlement with Sprint will eliminate rounds and rounds of appeals, and also includes not only the patents that were originally at issue but also a portfolio containing more than 100 other patents.

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