Apple being sued for infringing on a Virtual Private Network patent with the Apple iPhone 4S

A company called VirnetX is suing Apple for infringing on U.S. Patent No. 8,051,181. Awarded to the Nevada based company just this week, the patent is entitled "Method for Establishing Secure Communication Link Between Computers of Virtual Private Network" and covers a technique for establishing a secure communication link between two computers over a computer network. This is done by setting up a secure network link from the first computer without using cryptographic information. A semi-random sequence of data values keeps the connection secure.

VirnetX moved quickly to defend its intellectual property. The patent was awarded on November 1st and the complaint was filed the same day. The actual invention was filed with the USPTO in February, 2007. The complaint alleges that products like the Apple iPhone 4S, iPhone 4,iPad 2,iPod touch, and Mac systems that run Lion infringe on the patent. VirnetX seeks an injunction against Apple and damages. Last year the company took on Microsoft and won a $200 million settlement from the tech giant

source: AppleInsider