By Jacqueline Bell

Law360, New York (August 30, 2011, 12:20 PM ET) -- Network Signatures Inc. hit Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. with a lawsuit Thursday in California federal court, making the pharmaceutical company the latest to be accused of infringing a patent for computer encryption technology invented by the U.S. Navy.

Network Signatures says a digital verification system used by Bristol-Myers that allows for secure communications with employees, business partners, affiliates and customers infringes U.S. patent Number 5,511,122.

The plaintiff has an exclusive license for the patent-in-suit, which allows the U.S. Navy to "better capitalize on the technology," as well...