eSoft slaps patent suit on five companies

Titled "System and Method for Managing Application Service Providers," the patent is directed to software management systems and, more particularly, to systems and methods for selecting, ordering, installing, managing, updating, and if necessary, uninstalling software applications provided to an entity by one or more application service providers or other sources.

eSoft was awarded the patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 1, 2005.

eSoft said it is seeking to stop the companies from marketing, selling, using or otherwise infringing the patent, and it also seeks damages relating to their alleged unauthorized use of eSoft's patented technology.

"eSoft has invested heavily in its software management system technology," said Jeff Finn, CEO of eSoft.

"We are seeking to protect our vital corporate assets and development investments by taking legal action against companies that we believe are infringing this patent."

www.esoft.com