Verizon Hit With Patent Suit Over Prepaid Wireless Data Plans

A Wyoming-based patent owner sued Verizon Communications Inc., alleging the telecommunications company infringed a patent with the prepaid wireless plans it offers to customers.

Verizon’s prepaid data plans incorporate systems protected by US Patent No. 8,295,458, according to a complaint filed by Pay As You Go LLC May 31 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

• The ‘458 patent deals with a system and method for using pay-as-you-go services, according to the complaint, which says the technology eliminates the need for customers to use a prepaid card to reload their wireless accounts.
• The patent ...