ICO suit awarded year's 4th highest damages

Fourth largest pay out in US history awarded in the ICO's breach of contract claim against members of the Boeing group.

Business lawyers have secured the fourth highest damages ever awarded in the US to a communications firm.

ICO Global Communications has been awarded $236 million (£147 million) from the Boeing and the Boeing Satellite companies.

This new sum of money is in addition to the $370.6 million and $91.6 million already awarded by a jury in the first stage of the case for the group's breach of contract and for fraud, meaning the total amount will likely exceed $700 million.

ICO pursued the case when it claimed Boeing had charged the firm excessive amounts to finish a fleet of satellites and for concealing information about the launch of vehicles.

John Flynn, executive vice president of ICO, said the company is pleased to receive what he describes as "substantial punitive damages".

He adds: "This award further vindicates ICO's position in this case."

The claimant provides mobile satellite services for wireless voice, data, video and internet services on portable devices.