Apple has been ordered to compensate VirnetX $625 million for using one of the company’s patents without permission.
VirnetX’s patent covers “the use of a domain-name service to set up virtual private networks.” Under VirnetX’s patent, the VPNs are then used by corporations to communicate with customers or employees.
VirnetX claimed Apple used the patent in its iMessage and FaceTime apps, and a Texas jury agreed. The original complaint was filed years ago and has been bouncing around courts since 2012.
VirnetX first won a judgement against Apple for $368 million in 2013, but that award was vacated in 2014. VirnetX sought $532 million in the trial that began January 25 of this year, but the jury decided Apple willfully violated the patent and upped the total award to $625 million.
Apple immediately requested the judge declare a mistrial, saying VirnetX’s lawyers confused and misled the jury during closing arguments. The judge didn’t immediately respond to Apple’s request. VirnetX, a patent-licensing firm, has filed similar complaints against other companies.
