VirnetX wins $368m from Apple in court

Security software company VirnetX was awarded $368

Security software company VirnetX was awarded $368.2 million after a federal jury said Apple infringed its patents for virtual-private-network technology used in Apple’s FaceTime video-calling function.

VirnetX, which won a $200 million settlement from Microsoft in 2010, accused Apple of infringing four patents related to private networks. The case targeted Apple’s iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad as well as Mac computers that use the FaceTime function.

Apple denied infringing the patents and contends they’re invalid. The VirnetX patents cover the use of a domain-name service to set up virtual private networks, through which a website owner can interact with customers in a secure way or an employee can work at home and get access to a company’s electronic files.

VirnetX had sought $708 million in damages.