FSI launches patent suit against security firms

The entity that holds security company Finjan's patents has launched an infringement suit against a number of security companies, including Symantec.

FSI Inc launched the suit on Monday. The company alleges that McAfee, Symantec, Webroot Software, Websense, and Sophos have violated two of its patents.

The first, Patent No. 6,092,194, is for a "system and method for protecting a computer and a network from hostile downloadables". The second, Patent No. 6,480,962, is for a "system and method for protecting a client during runtime from hostile downloadables", according to a blog post on CNet News.

McAfee told ZDNet UK on Friday that it was reviewing the case, but declined to comment further. Symantec, Webroot, and Sophos declined to comment. Websense said that it had not infringed FSI's patents, and that it will fight the infringement suit.

"Websense respects the intellectual property (IP) rights of all organizations," said the company. "We do not believe we infringe on the IP rights of Finjan, or any other company, and we will vigorously defend ourselves from this lawsuit."

M86, which bought Finjan in 2009, on Thursday distanced itself from the suit.

"M86 Security... today issued a public statement regarding the lawsuit (Civil Action No. 1:10-cv-00593-UNA) that FSI, Inc. filed on July 12, 2010," said the company in a statement. "In this lawsuit, FSI refers to its former name, Finjan. In 2009, M86 Security acquired Finjan and its technology, including the company’s secure Web gateway products. As part of the acquisition, M86 Security also acquired a license to patents owned by FSI as well as the Finjan name. M86 Security is issuing this statement to clarify that it is not affiliated in any way with the lawsuit recently filed by FSI."