The U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware on Friday ordered Symantec to pay $17 million in damages after a federal jury found it had violated two patents owned by patent licensing company Intellectual Ventures. Intellectual Ventures had been seeking a damages award of $298 million. The jury also cleared Symantec of infringing a third patent.

Melissa Finocchio, chief litigation counsel for Intellectual Ventures, said in a statement the company was grateful that the jury confirmed the validity of its patents.

"We remain committed to defending inventor rights and protecting the interests of our investors and customers," she said.

A Symantec spokesman said the company was pleased the jury awarded much less than what Intellectual Ventures was seeking and was considering options to further reduce the damages.

Intellectual Ventures, accused Symantec in 2010 of infringing its intellectual property with the security software company's email and Internet protection products, including Norton antivirus.

Intellectual Ventures sued three other firms at the same time. Only Symantec and Japan's Trend Micro chose not to settle.