Network Signatures [NPE] filed two separate suits against Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb over a patent related to encrypted communications.  Network Signatures is the exclusive licensee of a patent which was issued to the US Navy in 1996.  Network Signatures has asserted the patent in more than 50 suits filed since 2007 against companies that have web sites employing SSL encryption.  8/25, Central District of California, 8:2011cv01279; 8:2011cv01280.