Aruba, Motorola Settle Patent Dispute

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.

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"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."