Apple, who is very quick to try and take out a competitor by claiming they have infringed on one of their patents, seems to have a different attitude when it comes to using someone else’s technology.Last night Apple was ordered to pay $375 million in damages after losing a patent dispute with VirtnetX over the use of patented technology in their Mac computers.
Apple is also facing further payouts relating to patent infringements with their iPhone, and iPads.
The case stems back to April last year when VirtnetX accused Apple of infringing its US Patent No. 8,05,181 for a “Method for Establishing Secure Communication Link between computers of Virtual Private Network.” VirtnetX has also filed a similar complaint with the ITC arguing that Apple’s iPhone, iPad and Mac lines also violate its patents.
VirtnetX had already won a similar case against Microsoft and was able to successfully reach a $200 million settlement with the US software and hardware giant. In addition to Apple and Microsoft, VirtnetX is also targetting Cisco, Avaya and Siemes with those cases set to go to trial in March next year.
Apple opted not to offer a comment on the ruling, however it is anticipated that it will initiate and appeal against the decision.
