California software company VirnetX Inc. has files suit against Microsoft Corporation, alleging the software giant’s VPN technologies infringe on two VirnetX patents, one of which describes a method for establishing a secure communications link, and the other describes transparently creating a virtual private network. VirnetX’s suit seeks both injunctive relief and damages; the suit was filed in the patent holder-friendly United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
VirtnetX’s brief statement does not specify which Microsoft products infringe on its patents; Microsoft’s Internet Security and Acceleration Server offers VPN capabilities.
VirnetX recently entered into a merger agreement with PASW (formerly Pacific Softworks), which developed Internet communication tools and protocols; eventually, PASW shifted to embedded systems but by 2003 was a licensing-only operation.
Neither Microsoft nor VirnetX have commented on other aspects of the patent infringement suit.
