SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avistar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: AVSR), a leading provider of unified visual communications solutions, today announced that it has been granted two U.S. new patents: 7,398,296, issued on July 8, 2008 and 7,412,482, issued on August 12, 2008. These patents further expand Avistar's intellectual property coverage in the areas of login-based Voice over IP (VoIP) services and text- based instant messaging.

Avistar, in addition to its pioneering communications products with features that have consistently led the competition, owns and continues to develop an extensive portfolio of 82 patents covering presence-based interactions, wireless communications, desktop video, recorded and live media at the desktop, instant messaging, multimedia documents, data sharing and service-rich video network architectures.

The two new patents cover systems and methods for login-based routing of real-time communications (such as text instant messaging, VoIP and two-way video conferencing) between users employing a quick-dial panel (such as a buddy list) or a screen-displayed list or rolodex. Users can flexibly login at any number of devices or locations and can choose from a number of real-time communications options, including text-based real-time messaging.

"Basically, these two patents are designed to accommodate the way people communicate today, while addressing further convergence in the future. Without them, you would need a number of ways to reach colleagues, depending on the device and location they're using -- such as on a mobile phone, in the office or traveling with a laptop," said Simon Moss, CEO, Avistar. "These two patents enable users to click one button to contact another person and find that person no matter what device he or she is using or where he or she is.

"These two patents are significant to both the industry and Avistar for two key reasons. First, they describe the use of real-time text and audio, not just video. And they have a priority date of October 1993," Moss added. "Second -- and this is noteworthy -- the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), at our request, thoroughly reviewed the prior art put forth by Microsoft in their challenge of all 29 of Avistar's U.S. patents through the PTO's re-examination process earlier this year. We feel that the PTO's approval of these two patents, together with their rejection of the re-examination requests for 19 Avistar patents and most of a 20th, suggest a favorable outcome with regard to our other pending patents, as well as the patents the PTO has accepted for re-examination."

Avistar makes its intellectual property available to potential partners and licensees through an active licensing program. Inquiries for licensing these or any other Avistar patents may be directed to Paul D. Carmichael, Esq., (408) 252-7927.

About Avistar Communications Corporation

Avistar (Nasdaq: AVSR) creates technology that provides the missing critical element in unified communications: bringing people in organizations face-to-face, through enhanced communications, for true collaboration anytime, anyplace. Its latest product, Avistar C3, draws on more than a decade of market experience to deliver a single-click desktop videoconferencing and collaboration experience that moves business communications into a new era. Available as a stand-alone solution, or integrated with existing unified communications software from other vendors, Avistar C3 provides users instant messaging-style ability to initiate video communications across and outside the enterprise. Patented bandwidth management enables thousands of users to access desktop videoconferencing, VoIP and streaming media, without requiring substantial new network investment or impairing network performance.

Avistar's desktop videoconferencing and collaboration installations are among the world's largest, including more than 18,000 seats sold in more than 40 countries. Clients report as much as a 20 percent reduction in travel expense and carbon emissions, increases in productivity, and immeasurably improved relationship building within their organizations, as well as with suppliers and customers. Avistar holds a portfolio of 80 patents for inventions in video and network technology and licenses IP to videoconferencing, rich-media services, public networking and related industries. Current licensees include Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI), Polycom, Inc., Tandberg ASA, Radvision Ltd., LifeSize Communications, Inc. and Emblaze-VCON. For more information, visit http://www.avistar.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements made in this news release that are not purely historical, including but not limited to statements regarding the ability of Avistar's newly issued patents to address future collaborative technology challenges, and the potential outcome of the U.S. Patent Office's review and/or re-examination of additional Avistar patents and/or patent applications are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including such factors, among others, as the technical, administrative and financial challenges associated with obtaining, defending and monetizing Avistar's intellectual property rights. As a result of these and other factors, Avistar expects to experience significant fluctuations in revenue and operating results, and there can be no assurance that Avistar will become or remain profitable in the future, or that its future results will meet expectations.

These and other risk factors are discussed in Avistar's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Avistar disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Avistar Communications Corporation