Tech Shout!

Before the iPhone was launched, much was talked about it. And, then the iPhone arrived, giving a whole new dimension to the word ‘revolutionary’ and totally new and never- seen-before functionalities of a mobile phone. Apple had to face a number of lawsuits from many companies and users alike, and now six months later after the iPhone’s launch, Apple is once again caught in a lawsuit.

Klausner Technologies, a New York-based firm alleges that the iPhone infringes on a voicemail patent owned them.

The iPhone features a very unique function according to Apple, which allows users to see who has called them. Users can also listen to each message individually.

Now, Klausner Technologies has said that Apple violates its patent by allowing users to selectively retrieve voice messages via the iPhone’s inbox display. Klausner has filed a lawsuit against Apple as well as AT&T claiming damages of $360 million.

Klausner also alleges that the visual voicemail patent was violated by Comcast Corp., Cablevisions Systems Corp. and Skype. The patent holding company Klausner is also seeking $300 million from these companies.

In 2006, Klausner had filed a similar suit against Vonage, an Internet phone provider. Interestingly, both companies agreed to settle in 2007, and Klausner now licenses the technology to Vonage and AOL.

What remains to be seen is whether Apple will pay up to Klausner Technologies, or will they just “claim” to own the visual voice functionality altogether? When the company is not shrouded in secrecy (read: pre-iPhone launch), Apple also has a habit of getting into mind-bending lawsuits.