A Judge has ruled that Vonage cannot service new customers while it appeals a ruling that it violated Verizon’s patents for making phone calls. Vonage will only be allowed to serve its existing customers. Vonage’s stock fell to an all-time low on the announcement. A higher court has stayed that ruling, but it may be reestablished.

For more information, ZDNet has an analysis of the patent infringement. Most feel the language is too general for the accusation of infringement to hold up.

Vonage chief executive Mike Snyder has left the company, and founder and chairman Jeffrey Citron is taking over until a replacement is found. Citron is legally banned from associating with stockholders.