Back in February, we’ve reported that VirnetX, a known patent troll, has managed to win a court case that would see Apple pay it USD626 million. However, it seems that VirnetX will not be receiving the settlement after all as a U.S. District Judge has published an order last Friday that vacates the verdict.
According to U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder, he believes that the trial itself created “potential for juror confusion” thanks to the complex and consolidated nature of the trial. Repeat references to an earlier trial has also led to Apple being unfairly prejudiced in the trail which VirnetX was awarded USD626 million. Schroeder believes that this case “could very likely have been tried successfully, and fairly,” but believes that the repeated mentions of the earlier verdict has affected to judgement of the jurors during the trial.
With the verdict now suspended, a new trial for Apple and VirnetX is scheduled to take place on the 26th of September. VirnetX CEO and President Kendall Larsen has stated that his company is “disappointed” with the decision, but they are confident that they have the resources required for these retrials.
Source: Ars Technica