Mobile Email Tech Firm Visto Wins $7.7 Million Patent Ruling

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. (AP)--Mobile email provider Visto Corp. said Wednesday a federal judge has ordered rival Seven Networks to pay US$7.7 million in damages for infringing on three patents, affirming a jury's verdict reached eight months ago.

The ruling, issued late Tuesday by U.S. District Judge T. John Ward in Texas, represents Visto's biggest victory yet in its legal crusade to protect several patents on technology used by major wireless phone providers to deliver email on their mobile networks.

Besides Seven Networks, Redwood Shores-based Visto has sued rival Good Technology, Microsoft and Research In Motion, the maker of the ubiquitous BlackBerry device that helps keep workers connected to their jobs even when they are out of the office.

In its late April decision, a Texas jury concluded Seven Networks should pay royalties totaling $3.6 million to compensate Visto for years of patent violations.

Including accumulated interest, Ward doubled the jury's award and ordered Seven Networks to cover its rival's attorney fees and other legal costs. Ward also issued a permanent injunction against Seven Networks that has been stayed pending appeal.

Ward's decision "heralds a victory for true innovation and for lawful invention, whether it is conceived by a large corporation or by a passionate few toiling in the dim lights of a garage," said Brian Bogosian, chief executive of privately held Visto.

Seven Networks, based in Redwood City, didn't immediately return phone messages seeking comment.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires"

Posted to the site on 21st December 2006