Security Patent in $2 Billion Cisco Suit to Undergo Board Review

A network security patent underlying a $1.9 billion judgment against Cisco Systems Inc. will be reviewed by a patent office tribunal, based on a challenge brought by cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks Inc.

Cisco was found in October 2020 to infringe four Centripetal Networks Inc. patents following a bench trial in the Eastern District of Virginia. Cisco, which is appealing the ruling, says it would owe over $2.75 billion with royalties.

The Patent Trial and Appeal Board agreed Wednesday to review one of those patents, U.S. Patent No. 9,917,856. It found a “reasonable likelihood” Palo Alto would show the ...