BlueCat Networks and Intellectual Ventures (IV®) announced today that BlueCat Networks has acquired patents from IV to protect its core business and has become a customer in IV’s IP for Defense program. Under the program, BlueCat Networks can acquire additional patents from IV’s portfolio of more than 35,000 intellectual property assets. The deal marks the latest in a series of new customers for IV across multiple industries, ranging from emerging companies to established global technology giants.

“BlueCat Networks has enjoyed tremendous success having recently received the highest possible rating in Gartner’s 2011 MarketScope for DNS, DHCP and IP Address Management” said Michael Hyatt, co-founder and CEO of BlueCat Networks. “We’ve earned this success by investing in quality people and technology, and by winning numerous large deals, which has made us a target in the marketplace. Unfortunately, a competitor has chosen to use litigation to slow us down rather than keep pace. This agreement with IV provides us with the intellectual property strategy and assets to defend our business and compete in the marketplace based on our best-in-class IP Address Management (IPAM) products, pricing and services. We will continue to innovate and provide the best IPAM software solutions on the market without distraction.”

“This agreement is a great example of how IV can help proven, innovative companies like BlueCat Networks defend their business and remain focused on making great products,” said Joe Chernesky, VP and general manager, global licensing sales at IV. “Every company has unique business needs that demand intellectual property solutions, which is why IV works with customers to help them gain access to our portfolio and unique capabilities in a way that makes sense for their business.”

BlueCat Networks’ IPAM solutions provide an essential technology for helping organizations address the transition to IPv6, reduce IT management costs, launch new services and manage network growth and change. BlueCat Networks’ appliances incorporate the latest specifications for greater scalability, enhanced hardware resiliency and lights-out management.

With a portfolio of more than 35,000 intellectual property assets, IV combines the scale and expertise to structure solutions that help companies strengthen their market position. For customers accused of patent infringement by their competitors, IV’s IP for Defense program provides them with access to IV’s intellectual property assets to support counter-assertion, enabling more efficient negotiations to reduce liabilities and achieve favorable licensing terms.

About Intellectual Ventures

Founded in 2000, Intellectual Ventures (IV) is the global leader in the business of invention. IV collaborates with leading inventors, partners with pioneering companies, and invests both expertise and capital in the process of invention. IV’s mission is to energize and streamline an invention economy that will drive innovation around the world.