A Texas judge has upheld a $368 million verdict won against Apple over technology related to FaceTime. I
in November, Apple was found guilty of violating four patents held by a company called VirnetX. VirnetX alleged Apple’s FaceTime app, which lets iOS devices conduct real-time, two-way video chats, infringes on its intellectual property. VirnetX’s patents specifically cover “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. The Texas jury awarded VirnetX $368 million in damages. Apple requested the damages to be reduced, and VirnetX request an injunction against all of Apple’s infringing product.
The judge shot down both requests and instead ordered the two companies to work out a licensing agreement within 45 days. Apple will have to pay VirnetX $330,211 per day until the licensing agreement is forged. VirnetX has similar legal action pending against Avaya, Cisco, and Siemens Enterprise Communications.
