Tuesday, April 24 will be a crucial day for Vonage. The U.S. Court of Appeals will either give the company a chance to survive with a stay that will let Vonage sign up new customers while it appeals its patent infringement case, or the court will deny its request and essentially pull the plug on the service provider’s life support.

Vonage was found guilty of infringing on Verizon’s patents in early March and ordered to pay $58 million in damages plus royalties.

According to published reports an appeals court will hear oral arguments on April, 24, in Vonage’s request for a permanent stay while it appeals.

Last week a federal judge barred Vonage from signing up new customers until it is no longer infringing on Verizon’s patents. On the same day the U.S. Court of Appeals issued a temporary stay for Vonage.