So as a follow-up to yesterday’s post, it looks like other’s are falling into the Content Delivery Network band-wagon. Check out this article from DataCenter Knowledge that discusses the patent infringement suit that Level3 Communications has leveled against Limelight Networks (actually I’ve not heard of these folks until this article, obviously Level3 is one of the major backbone providers). In the article they discuss how in the recent purchase that Level3 made on Savvis Communications, it also purchased Intellectual Property that Limelight is now infringing on.

This has become actually quite a common tact for companies to not R&D their own software or technology, but purchase other companies who have those IP holdings and then go after those would be infringers (that certainly isn’t to say that Level3 in any way intentionally or willfully purchased Savvis with the intent to do this, but simply pointing out that there are companies who have done this and have made it harder on the IP community in general). Makes you wonder who’s content delivery network is truly pure of heart and originally creative in it’s design.

So what’s the life lesson here? I’d say unless you are itching to jump on the bandwagon, let things cool down and the pieces fall. Typically the ones that are the most pure will survive the initial domino effects and will make it out with little to no scathing.

But on the other hand, if you are someone who absolutely needs CDN, I’d urge you to consider carrier independent clustered solutions. You have more control, and you know that you are the only ones that are using the server resources. No matter what advertising saids, there is a glass ceiling here folks, and you have to be realistic in knowing that companies will make it sound like they are catering to just you, when in fact while they are saying these sweet nothings in your ear, they are at the same time wining and dining someone else who they are promising the same thing to–it’s typical marketing strategies, and if you don’t recognize it and think you are above it, you are just setting yourself up for a harsher reality. Knowing the marketplace, knowing your provider/vendor, means that you are just that more competitive.

Realize that very few companies make it to be #1 on the backs of others, take the 100 most visited websites. Why are they great? They are managed by groups of talented IT folks who are passionate about making technology great, and the customer experience unbelievable. You pay for what you get, and unless you are someone who likes to sit in the backseat and let others drive, get back in the drivers seat and put your money where your mouth is.