On Friday, Business Objects released a new version of Data Integrator Release 2 version 11.7.2 that effectively removes the single input-output embedded workflow feature that Informatica alleges infringes upon on of its own patents.
However, embedded data flows with support just for one input and one output port is still supported in the new Data Integrator XI product.
The new product does add more flexible data source and database options that improve scalability. Specifically, this includes better support for Netezza’s NPS data warehouse appliance system and the open source MySQL database.
Additionally, Business Objects has broadened support to Unix and Linux for the previous (11.7) version of Data Integrator XI, and provided native 64-bit Solaris and AIX versions of the latest release.
Data Integrator XI is part of BusinessObjects’ enterprise Information Management (EIM) suite of products comprise of XI-branded data federation, metadata management and data quality and profiling tools.
Business Objects is working to integrate all these tools, most of which have been gained through acquisition, and has now tightened up integration between Data Integrator XI and Data Federator XI tools.
Informatica originally slapped the patent suit on Acta Technologies in July 2002, the original developer of the ETL technology (then called ActaWorks) that San Jose, California-based Business Objects subsequently acquired in the same month for $25m.
Last month, a San Francisco federal jury awarded $25m in damages after it ruled that Data Integrator XI did infringe upon two of Informatica’s patents.
Because the jury’s verdict found that Business Objects had willingly infringed on the two patents relating to methods of performing data transformations in data warehouses, Informatica is eligible to receive up to three times the damages amount.
Redwood City, California-based Informatica is now demanding a permanent injunction that will prevent Business Objects from shipping the infringing on the technology now and in the future.
Business Objects is appealing the decision and still hopes to have the patents invalidated by unearthing prior art preceding Informatica’s 1997 patent applications. Prior art is a common method for invalidating patents and derailing lawsuits.
Hence Business Objects deems the case to be ongoing and refused to comment further on the trial. However the removal of the patented feature in doubt is more or less an admission of defeat on one patent count at least.
