Juno Suing NetZero, Qualcomm

Juno Online Services Inc., an e-mail and Internet-access provider, has sued NetZero Inc. and Qualcomm Inc. for allegedly stealing a patented method for displaying advertising even when computer users are offline. The lawsuit, filed in a Delaware federal court, claims that Juno received a patent in 1998 protecting a technique for downloading advertisements and other content and displaying it to Internet users after an online session. NetZero, which provides free Internet access, and Qualcomm, which makes wireless-phone chips and e-mail software, are accused of unlawfully using Juno’s invention. Christine Trimble, spokeswoman for Qualcomm, declined comment. Officials for NetZero were not immediately available for comment. Shares of New York-based Juno rose 31 cents to close at $8.38, Westlake Village-based NetZero fell 44 cents to close at $7.50 and San Diego-based Qualcomm rose $2.63 to close at $69, all on Nasdaq.