Year: 2010

Paul Shin Devine, a global supply manager, was among two people arrested and accused of accepting more than US$1 million in kickbacks from half a dozen Asian suppliers of iPhone and iPod accessories, reports the “San Jose Mercury News” (http://macosg.me/2/pc)

Devine and Andrew Ang of Singapore were named in a 23-count federal grand jury indictment for wire fraud, money laundering and kickbacks. The alleged scheme used an elaborate chain of U.S. and foreign bank accounts and one front company to receive payments, per the “Mercury News.”

A recent Morpace (http://www.morpace.com) study shows that if the iPhone does become available on the Verizon network, it would impact the phone and carrier intentions of many consumers. The study found that nearly a third of consumers are very likely or somewhat likely to purchase an iPhone if it is made available to Verizon.

The survey reveals that Verizon iPhone intenders come primarily from current Verizon customers. However, intenders are also drawn from current AT&T customers as well as from other carriers. Current AT&T iPhone customers are also interested in a Verizon iPhone.

VirnetX Holding Corp., an Internet security software and technology company, is suing Apple, Aastra, Cisco and NEC for patent infringement. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division, the patent lawsuit capital of the universe.

VirneX claims the companies violate five of its patents that involve virtual private networking (VPN) connectivity. The company received a US$200 million settlement from Microsoft in May on similar complaints.