Symantec and Aladdin Settle Pending Litigation; Aladdin Agrees to Intellectual Property License

Business Wire, April 26, 2004

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2004

Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq:SYMC), the global leader in information security, today announced that it has reached a settlement agreement with Aladdin Knowledge Systems Inc., a leader in digital security, in the case involving Symantec's U.S. Patent No. 5,319,776, which covers in-transit scanning for malicious code.

As part of the agreement, Aladdin obtained a license under this patent from Symantec for Aladdin's integrated content security products. The terms of the settlement are confidential. This agreement resolves all pending litigation between the two companies.

"This settlement validates that this technology is fundamental in advancing security solutions in the marketplace," said John W. Thompson, Symantec chairman and chief executive officer. "When we purchased the patent, we recognized just how critical it was to several security technology defenses and how essential it can be in providing comprehensive protection against the growing number of threats in today's environment."

Symantec purchased the patent in August 2003 as part of a settlement in Hilgraeve, Inc. v. Symantec Corp. and therefore became the plaintiff in the pending litigation against several defendants including Aladdin (see Aug. 18, 2003 press release).

About Aladdin Knowledge Systems

Aladdin (Nasdaq:ALDN) is a leader in digital security, providing solutions for software digital rights management and Internet security since 1985, serving more than 30,000 customers worldwide. Aladdin products include: the USB-based eToken(TM) device for strong user authentication and e-commerce security; the eSafe(R) line of integrated content security solutions that protect networks against malicious, inappropriate and nonproductive Internet-borne content; HASP(R), the world's number one hardware-based software security system that protects the revenues of developers; and Privilege(TM), a software licensing and protection platform that enables security software distribution via CD, electronic software distribution or peer-to-peer networks. Visit the Aladdin Web site at www.eAladdin.com.

About Symantec

Symantec is the global leader in information security providing a broad range of software, appliances and services designed to help individuals, small and mid-sized businesses, and large enterprises secure and manage their IT infrastructure. Symantec's Norton brand of products is the worldwide leader in consumer security and problem-solving solutions. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has operations in more than 35 countries. More information is available at http://www.symantec.com.

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