Patent Holder Demands $500m From Apple

A patent holder is demanding $500m (£351m) from Apple (LSE: 0R2V.L - news) because it says the firm has used its intellectual property without permission.

VirnetX holds several patents relating to the technology used in creating virtual private networks (VPNs).

It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) says that Apple's own VPN technology, plus its FaceTime and iMessage services, all infringe on its patents.

VirnetX lawyer Brad Caldwell told a court in Texas: "Apple hasn't played fair. They have taken VirnetX's intellectual property without permission."

VirnetX previously won a $368m verdict against Apple, but an appeals court threw out the ruling.

An increased sum is now being demanded by VirnetX because it says new generations of Apple products are being released which continue to infringe on its patents.

But Apple's lawyer said the company will robustly defend the claim.

Greg Arovas said: "Apple believes in fairness and protecting intellectual property.

"VirnetX keeps moving the boundary, asking for more and more and more."

The trial is expected to last until at least next week and will see arguments presented from both sides.

Apple has been prevented from making some arguments about VirnetX's claims because they have already been addressed in the initial hearing.