RFE&M Partner Quoted on Jingle Networks being awarded a key patent.

June 15, 2007 – USA Today

Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck partner Martin Zoltick was quoted by USA Today on Jingle Networks being awarded a patent for a system that plays an ad related to the listing a caller requests on a free 411 service. Jingle Networks operates 1-800-FREE411, which offers free directory assistance, and will seek license fees from rivals for the use of its newly patented technology. Jingle, the free directory assistance market leader, handles 20 million calls a month. Free, advertising-based directory assistance currently constitutes 3.5% of all directory assistance traffic, but that percentage is expected to increase to 15% by 2011. Competitors, both large and small, contend that they can challenge Jingle’s new patent or use their own patent portfolios in license negotiations.

• Patent disputes have rankled the technology and Internet industries recently, threatening to shut down Internet phone provider Vonage this year. Critics assail the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for approving broad patents that cover "business methods." A recent Supreme Court ruling makes it slightly easier to challenge a patent in court, says Rothwell Figg attorney Marty Zoltick. Congress, meanwhile, is considering patent reform.

For more information, please contact Martin Zoltick at 202-783-6040 or mzoltick@rfem.com.