on September 28, 2020 a person walks past the Apple store on Fifth
Avenue in New York City. Angela Weiss / AFP
A jury in Texas on Friday decided
that Apple should pay $503 million for infringing virtual
private network technology patented by software security firm
VirnetX.
The legal battle between Apple and Nevada-based VirnetX involved
data transmission security in devices such as iPhone, iPad and iPod
Touch, according to court documents.
“We thank the jury for their time and appreciate their
consideration but are disappointed with the verdict and plan to
appeal,” Apple said in reply to an AFP inquiry.
“This case has been going on for over a decade, with patents
that are unrelated to the core operations of our products and have
been found to be invalid by the patent office.”
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VirnetX contended in the suit that Apple VPN On Demand
functions used its patented technology.
VirnetX is based in Nevada, but patent suits are typically filed
in states where jurors have been found more inclined to rule
against Silicon Valley giants.
Apple had challenged the validity of the VirnetX
patent.
VirnetX, which hasn’t been able to gain traction with its own
software, relies on patent royalties for its revenue, according to
a Dallas Morning News report on the jury verdict.
“Cases like this only serve to stifle innovation and harm
consumers,” Apple said.
VirnetX did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
AFP
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