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Apple May be On Hook for $1.1 Billion
The iPhone maker’s bid to overturn IP patent verdict fails.
January 20, 2021
Ten years after VirnetX first sued Apple (AAPL) alleging Apple’s FaceTime and VPN on Demand features infringe its patents on securing private data across networks, Apple may be liable for more than what a jury recently awarded VirnetX. In its Q4 2020 10-Q, Apple disclosed that after appealing a previous decision, the company lost the case on re-trial:

“The jury returned a verdict against the Company and awarded damages of $503 million, which the Company intends to appeal.”

Despite the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) declaring rge patents invalid, federal judge refused Apple’s bid to reduce or nullify the $503 million judgement. The judge also awarded VirnetX interest and royalties that could increase total liability in two lawsuits to $1.1 billion. In March 2020, Apple paid VirnetX $454 million after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear Apple’s appeal of a separate patent case.

The $503 million award— plus interest and royalties— could increase Apple’s total payout in both cases to $1.116 billion.
Related: AVGO
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