Visto, Seven reach patent truce

Visto Corp. managed to dispense with one of its patent-infringement battles, agreeing to license its mobile e-mail technology to Seven Networks Inc.
The two Redwood City, Calif.-based startups ended their three-year legal tussle as Seven “acknowledged the validity and enforceability of Visto’s patent portfolio.” Visto was awarded $7.7 million in damages last year after a Texas jury found Seven had willfully infringed on three Visto patents.
Both companies agreed to dismiss all pending legal claims under terms of the deal. Financial details were not disclosed.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that resolves the dispute,” said Seven CEO Ross Bott. “As we continue our efforts to innovate and add value for our customers, this agreement provides the licenses that are needed to protect their investments in the booming push e-mail market.”
The development signals a cease-fire between two of the very few independent vendors of proprietary e-mail solutions, but Visto will remain very active in the courtroom for the foreseeable future. The company is currently pursuing patent-infringement suits against Microsoft Corp., Motorola Inc.’s Good Technology and Research In Motion Ltd.