Apple tells Engadget that it's going to appeal. It's "surprised and disappointed" by the decision, especially since it notes that the four patents at stake have been declared invalid. It also maintains that it "independently designed the technology over many years."

Not that the company is going to be sweating bullets if the verdict sticks, mind you. As of the fourth quarter, Apple has a whopping $216 billion in the bank -- it could pay VirnetX without so much as sneezing. Instead, it's more likely interested in discouraging other would-be profiteers that might be tempted to file lawsuits of their own.

Update: The law firm representing VirnetX has issued its own statement, with attorney Jason Cassady saying "The jury saw what we have been saying all along: Apple has been infringing VirnetX's patented technology for years."