Quantum-Riverbed Data De-duplication Dispute Heats Up

By Greg McNevin

November 15, 2007: Following recent rumblings in their data de-duplication patent dispute and Quantum’s launch of legal action, Riverbed Technology has announced that it has filed its own patent infringement claim, claiming Quantum is infringing on its patent and not the other way around.

Riverbed's complaint claims that Quantum's data storage products utilise its data de-duplication technology, infringing on its U.S. Patent No. 7,116,249. Quantum's DXi7500, DXi5500 and DXi3500 data backup and storage products have been singled out in this regard, with Riverbed seeking damages for infringement.

It is not just seeking damages, however, Riverbed is after three-times the damages claiming that Quantum wilfully infringed its patents. It is also seeking a permanent injunction to stop “further infringement by Quantum.”

“Riverbed has a portfolio of valuable and pioneering patents,” said Brett Nissenberg, general counsel and vice president of corporate and legal affairs at Riverbed. “Quantum’s recent patent infringement suit against Riverbed caused us to carefully evaluate Quantum's DXi-series products and its "de-duplication" technology. In the process we discovered that Quantum is infringing one of Riverbed's fundamental patents covering data storage systems.”

“We are therefore seeking substantial compensation from Quantum as well as a permanent injunction. We intend to vigorously protect the data storage technology covered by the '249 patent.”

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