Israeli co Red Bend sues Google over Chrome

Israeli start-up Red Bend Software Inc. is suing Google Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOG) for patent infringement over Google's Chrome browser, according to US media sources. Red Bend develops software for remote updating mobile content and managing connectivity between devices. The start-up did not hesitate in filing a lawsuit against mighty Google with the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts in Boston.

Red Bend claims that Chrome includes an algorithm called Courgette, designed to enable Google to distribute partial software updates. Red Bend alleges that the algorithm infringes a patent registered in April 2003, on technology which enables wireless carriers to efficiently distribute updates for mobile-phone software.

Red Bend has declined to comment on the report.

It is difficult to assess to what extent Red Bend is relying on the results of the lawsuit, or what will happen if it wins. Google is the target of many lawsuits by companies that believe that the Internet giant with the slogan "do no harm" has infringed on their patents. Netex (Net Express) Ltd. (TASE:NTX) is another Israeli company that recently tried to take Google to court. Two months ago, Netex announced that it had received a patent for its product, and its share jumped 140%. The practical significance the patent's authorization is uncertain, when firms such as Google, Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq: YHOO) use the patent.

Hod Hasharon-based Red Bend has an office in the Boston suburb of Waltham. "Globes" named the company as one of Israel's most promising start-ups for 2007-08.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 29, 2009

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