comScore, Nielsen Settle Patent Dispute: Nielsen Acquires $19 Million In comScore Shares

Online audience measurement rivals comScore and Nielsen this morning announced a settlement of ongoing patent disputes, resulting in a “cross-licensing agreement,” and giving Nielsen $19 million in comScore stock.

Under the terms of the settlement, the companies said that comScore will acquire ownership of the “four Nielsen families of patents,” which include a portfolio of both U.S. and international patents for online audience measurement methods. comScore, meanwhile, has granted Nielsen worldwide licenses for its “families of the four patents.” Both parties agreed not to bring any patent action against the other for the next three years.