Limelight Networks, the $180M digital content delivery provider, is relying on tech shop famaPR as regroups after a major court defeat in its nine-year legal battle with Akamai Technologies.

A federal appeals court unanimously reversed a lower court decision this week and held that Limelight infringed on Akamai's patent, a potential $45.5M blow to Limelight.

Publicly traded Limelight saw its shares battered nearly 20 percent to close below $3 after the court decision.

Tempe, Ariz.-based Limelight said it is "disappointed" in the outcome, but pledged to "continue the process." The company said it is studying options to determine its next steps, but said it believes its balance sheet is "strong enough to continue to invest in the business and respond to any potential outcome" in the court battle.

FamaPR senior VP Ted Weisman, a Lois Paul alum, reps Limelight. Barbara Riordan is senior director of corporate comms.

The case, which was remanded by the Supreme Court, has drawn interest from major tech players since its 2006 filing over the issue of "divided infringement," or how much a company is responsible for a patent infringement if the user – not the company -- commits patented act.

Akamai said it is "extremely pleased" with the decision, which it said "recognizes the strength of our intellectual property."