Akamai vs. Digital Island
 
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The biggest benefit of content distribution services is that the technology alleviates some traffic congestion on the Internet. Ironically, two of the largest content distribution service providers are creating a whole lot of legal congestion thanks to a patent dispute.
Akamai Technologies and Digital Island have been arguing over patent infringement since September of last year.
Along with Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Akamai holds a patent for its FreeFlow content distribution service architecture, which was issued in August of last year. Digital Island holds a patent that details how to track content over a network; its patent was issued in 1995.
Akamai was the first to file suit, last September, saying Digital Island was infringing on its patent. Digital Island followed soon after with a lawsuit of its own, saying its content distribution process predated patents held by Akamai and MIT and claiming Akamai infringed on its patented content-tracking technology. The lawyers have been working feverishly ever since.
Two weeks ago, Akamai issued a statement saying that its complaint will go to trial in September 2001 to determine if Digital Island will be ordered to permanently stop offering its Footprint content distribution services. Akamai is also seeking damages.
Akamai's request for a preliminary injunction prior to trial is still pending.
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Denise Pappalardo is a senior editor for Network World, covering ISPs, VPNs and related topics. Reach her at denisep@nww.com.
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