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NETWORK APPLIANCE ACQUIRES AUSPEX PATENT PORTFOLIO

Network Appliance Inc announced that it has acquired the patent portfolio of Auspex Systems Inc. The patent portfolio covers many technologies central to network-attached storage (NAS) systems, and expands the number of issued U.S. patents owned by Network Appliance. Network Appliance entered the final bid of $8,975,000 on June 13 during a court auction as part of Auspex's bankruptcy proceedings. The final agreement transferring Auspex patents to Network Appliance is expected to close shortly as legal details and a contract are finalized.

"Increasing our patent portfolio gives us an even stronger technology base to build next-generation NAS, SAN, and FAS systems for the benefit of our enterprise customers," said Dan Warmenhoven, chief executive officer of Network Appliance.