A YORK software company has struck a major e-deal securing exclusive global rights to a new computer network operating system.

Vita Nuova's seven-figure deal with American telecom giant Lucent Technologies will create up to 20 new jobs.

And it gives a big boost to York's growing reputation as a centre of excellence in information and communication technologies.

Under the deal, Vita Nuova has acquired the rights to the Inferno Operating System software technology that enables different computing devices to integrate with one another.

Michael Jeffrey, co-founder and Chief Executive of Viva Nuova, based at the Science Park near the University of York, said there had already been an excellent response from around the world since the product was launched last Tuesday.

"In less than a week, we have received subscriptions for Inferno from companies in Australia, Korea, Taiwan, Canada and the USA," he said."Furthermore, we have been profitable in our first two months of trading,which is a major achievement for a start-up company, and we hope to give our investors a significant return in three years' time."

The deal is the result of a close working relationship between Vita Nuova, founded in 1996, and Bell Labs - the research arm of Lucent Technologies. Over three years, Vita Nuova assembled the largest team ofInferno experts outside of Bell Labs, putting the company in a primeposition to prepare a successful bid for the exclusive rights.Inferno will be sold on a subscription basis at a relatively low cost.

York University Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Ian Wand, a spokesman for e-Science York,said: "An investment deal of this nature and size is very significant newsindeed, and will undoubtedly reinforce e-Science York's reputation as a centre of excellence in information and communication technologies.

"The Inferno technology is truly world-class and, combined with Vita Nuova's vision and talent, it is a very exciting prospect."

Vita Nuova is only one 140 information and communication technology businesses that constitute the e-Science York community.

Many have been drawn to the city by the combination of prime facilities at the Science Park, and proximity to the university's Computer Science and Electronics departments.