Apple’s request for a new trial in its never-ending legal battle with VirnetX has been denied. Apple had asked for a new trial as part of the patent battle, and while it won’t get that trial, there’s still the possibility of an appeal.
As reported by AppleInsider, the final judgement was handed down by Judge Robert Schroeder in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. In that final judgement, Schroder denied Apple’s motion for a new trial and “denied-in-part and granted-in-part a VirnetX Motion for Entry of Judgment and for Equitable and Statutory Relief.”
Details are unclear at this point due to documents being sealed, but by giving a final judgement, Schroder has closed the case – though that doesn’t stop an appeal to a higher court.
Apple’s battle with VirnetX extends much farther back than this year. In 2012, Apple lost a $368.2 million lawsuit from VirnetX, though that verdict was later thrown out, making way for retrials and additional disputes.
Earlier this year, Apple was found guilty of infringing on four VirnetX patents and was ordered to pay $502.6 million in damages. The patents in question related to Apple’s FaceTime, VPN, and iMessage services. In a separate case, Apple was found guilty of patent infringement and ordered to pay $439.7 million in damages to VirnetX. Apple is appealing that case.
Apple will likely appeal this case to a higher court, as well. Between the cases, Apple is on the hook for over $1 billion in damages to VirnetX.
