VirtnetX expands case against Apple, other defendants
updated 11:00 am EDT, Tue April 5, 2011
iPad 2 joins list of targeted products
VirnetX is expanding the scope of lawsuits targeting several major technology corporations, according to an announcement. The company has won a new patent from the USPTO, Agile Network Protocol for Secure Communications Using Secure Domain Names, which it is amending to complaints in two separate suits. The first case lists Aastra, Apple, Cisco and NEC as defendants; the second is leveled against Mitel and Siemens.
Apple has been specially singled out for the iPad 2, which VirnetX is adding to a list of devices it considers in violation of patents. Hardware already under scrutiny includes the iPhone, the iPod touch and the iPad 1. Both lawsuits are still pending, VirnetX notes.
The company has made considerable amounts of money in recent years by pursuing patent cases. In chasing Microsoft it reached a settlement worth $200 million, covering two different allegations. VirnetX has regularly chosen to file in Texas courts known to be sympathetic to plaintiffs in patent cases.
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I'm so happy that software patents have done so much for innovation and quality, sparking so many new products and driving technology forward and making it less expensive, so more people can afford things.
It would be sad if instead, it had done the opposite.