Digital Equipment Wins Injunction

Maynard, Mass.-based Digital Equipment Corp. said a federal judge awarded it a preliminary injunction limiting Altavista Technology Inc.’s use of the AltaVista name. The ruling came as part of Digital’s patent-infringement lawsuit filed against Campbell-based Altavista in October. Digital bought the rights to the name in March 1996 for its World Wide Web search program. It claims Altavista designed its Web site to give the false impression that it is Digital’s AltaVista search service and that Altavista was profiting by displaying advertising. Under the ruling, Altavista can use the AltaVista name only in its Internet address or as part of its corporate name. Digital shares fell 62.5 cents to close at $29 on the NYSE.