Akamai Scores Legal Win Over Digital Island

Akamai Technologies Inc. was awarded no damages, but this issue is subject to a separate trial at a later date, according to a statement by Akamai.

by Clint Boulton of internetnews.com [December 26, 2001]

Akamai Technologies Inc. recently claimed victory in a year-old patent infringement case versus content delivery rival Digital Island Inc.

Last week, an eight-person jury in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts found that Cable & Wireless subsidiary Digital Island Inc., infringed on two content delivery patents owned by Akamai—patent 6,108,703 issued in the name of Akamai founders, Tom Leighton and the late Danny Lewin. Specifically, the patent infringement was housed within San Francisco-based Digital Island's flagship Footprint service.

While Akamai fired the first salvo more than a year ago, Digital Island returned legal fire by suing Akamai for infringing on one of its own patents (patent 5,987,791), but this accusation was cast aside by the same jury that found Akamai to be in the right.

"We are extremely pleased with the jury's verdict and gratified that Akamai has been validated as an innovator responsible for creating important new technology that improves the performance of the Internet," said George Conrades, chairman and CEO of Akamai.

No damages were awarded in the case, but this issue is subject to a separate trial at a later date, according to a statement made by Akamai.

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