By Nathalie Tadena 
 

Vringo Inc. (VRNG) confirmed a federal court ruled the company can't be awarded damages for the time prior to when its subsidiary filed a patent suit against Google Inc. (GOOG) and others.

The video-ringtone and intellectual-property company said a U.S. District Court in Virginia ruled that damages in the suit should be calculated beginning Sept. 15, 2011, the date that Vringo's I/P Engine subsidiary filed its complaint, even if a jury ultimately decides in the company's favor. I/P Engine had previously sought to have the damages calculated from Sept. 15,2005.

Vringo expects closing arguments in the case to commence Thursday.

The company is suing Google, AOL Inc. (AOL), IAC/InterActiveCorp. (IACI) and others, alleging infringement of two of its patents related to advertising placement in search results.

The company's shares hit several circuit breakers during regular-session trading. The stock, which slid 36% to $2.56 before it was halted earlier Wednesday afternoon, has fallen 23% over the past three months.

Write to Nathalie Tadena at nathalie.tadena@dowjones.com

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