Aruba, Motorola Settle Patent Dispute

WLAN vendor Aruba agrees to a one-time payment of $19.8 million to Motorola and its subsidiaries, Symbol Technologies and Wireless Valley Communications. The out-of-court settlement also calls for a cross-licensing agreement between Aruba and Motorola for WLAN communication technologies.

Aruba Networks and Motorola said Nov. 6 they have settled a two-year dispute over patents owned by both companies. The settlement involves Aruba paying Motorola $19.8 million and both parties agreeing to a cross-licensing agreement.

The dispute dates back to August 2007 and involves patents related to WLAN communication technologies. The lawsuit was brought by Motorola subsidiaries Symbol Technologies and Wireless Valley Communications. A year later, Aruba countersued Motorola, Symbol Technologies and Wireless Valley Communications, claiming the three were infringing on Aruba's WLAN technology.

"We are pleased to have reached an amicable business resolution outside the courts," Gene Delaney, president of Motorola's Enterprise Mobility Solutions Business, said in a statement. "Additionally, we are actively exploring technical and business opportunities of mutual interest associated with the all-wireless enterprise."

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Aruba said it would account for the $19.8 million payment as a one-time expense for the fiscal first quarter ended Oct. 31.

"We are delighted to put this legal dispute behind us," said Keerti Melkote, Aruba's co-founder and CTO. "We also look forward to working with Motorola on improving the all-wireless enterprise for the benefit of customers and to advance the state of technology."