There is a new development in a nine-year-long ongoing patent legal battle between Apple and VirnetX today, as a $503 million 2018 judgement against Apple for patent infringement has been vacated by an appeals court and sent back to a lower court for reconsideration.
Reuters reports the result is only a partial victory for Apple, as the appeals court found only a partial reversal, as it affirmed infringement by Apple on two counts and revering rulings on two other counts.
The appeals court sent the case back to Texas district court to determine whether revised damages against Apple can be calculated or if a new damages trial will need to be held.
VirnetX’s stock price dropped more than 50% on the announcement before recovering slightly in later trading.
The case in questions is one of two involving the two parties over communications security patents related to VPN, iMessage, and FaceTime. Apple is currently in the position of owing $440 million in the other case, but it is being appealed.