THE CSIRO has won a long legal battle with the some of the world's leading technology companies in an outcome that will give a substantial financial windfall to Australia's peak scientific body.

The case revolved around the CSIRO's patented wireless local area network technology, a process invented in the 1990s that is being used in almost every wireless device - including mobile phones, computers, game consoles, networking equipment and internet-enabled TVs. "We are very pleased with the outcome in financial terms," said Mike Whelan, the deputy chief executive, operations.

"In aggregate, it will present the largest amount from IP [intellectual property] that this organisation has ever earned."

Based on the outcome of recent technology patent cases, the settlement is likely to run into millions of dollars.

On Monday a judge in Texas finalised the settlement after the last of the 14 companies accused of infringing CSIRO's patent agreed to negotiate. Under the terms of the settlement CSIRO was prevented broadcasting news of the resolution, which is why it has only now filtered out.