Radvision announces patent for initiating video conferences via IM

The patent (7,631,039) for initiating a video conference session via instant messaging. The application was made in December 2001 and was granted in December 2009 and covers the initiation and support of video conferencing using instant messaging. The patent was originally part of the Intellectual Property acquired with the assets of First Virtual Communication, and its subsidiary CUSeeMe Networks, which Radvision purchased from Chapter 11 status in Mid-2005 for a reputed USD$5 Million. Radvision, which after its March 2000 IPO flirted with a Billion $ market cap, today trades at just under $120M with nearly the same amount in cash and short term investments, and $81M in 2009 revenue. Radvision stock was knocked down 35% by investors in two days at the start of October 2009 on news of its key customer Cisco’s planned acquisition of competitor Tandberg. At a recent trade conference, Skype reported that up to 20% of their users IP communications sessions incorporate video.