A federal jury in Delaware ruled last Friday that GoDaddy's web design tool infringed on two website-building technology patents held by Express Mobile, ordering the internet domain registrar to pay $170 million (approximately RMB 1.2 billion) in damages.

Headquartered in Novato, California, Express Mobile specializes in mobile data solutions, bringing PC-level functionality to mobile devices through efficient, cost-effective publishing platforms and versatile technologies. The company holds patents for internet and mobile technologies developed by its founder, former IBM engineer Steven Rempell.

GoDaddy is a company dedicated to providing one-stop digital solutions for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Its core offerings include domain registration, website building, hosting, security, and business applications, aiming to help customers establish and manage online businesses through user-friendly products and personalized guidance. Express Mobile sued GoDaddy in 2019, alleging infringement of its patents in the same technological field.

GoDaddy denied the infringement allegations and asserted the invalidity of the relevant patents.

After deliberation, the jury found that GoDaddy had indeed infringed two Express Mobile patents (Claim 2 of the '397 patent and Claim 1 of the '168 patent), and that this infringement constituted willful infringement. Furthermore, GoDaddy failed to provide compelling evidence proving the invalidity of the patents in question. Consequently, the jury awarded Express Mobile a total of $170 million in damages for GoDaddy's ongoing infringement, including $70 million in patent royalties for the period from December 2, 2019, to December 6, 2022.

Notably, GoDaddy prevailed in a separate jury trial against Express Mobile's infringement claim in 2023.

Additionally, Express Mobile secured a $40 million damages award in a similar lawsuit against e-commerce platform Shopify in 2022, though that ruling was overturned last year by a federal judge in Delaware.

GoDaddy stated in a declaration that it does not accept the verdict and will “vigorously contest the decision in federal district court and, if necessary, through the appeals process.”

Attached is the original jury verdict: