Apple Loses Copyright Claims in Lawsuit Against Corellium, Security Firm Offering Virtual iOS Instances

Jonathan Stempel, reporting for Reuters:

U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith ruled in favor of Corellium LLC, saying its software emulating the iOS operating system that runs on the iPhone and iPad amounted to “fair use” because it was “transformative” and helped developers find security flaws. […]

The judge also rejected Apple’s argument that the Delray Beach startup acted in bad faith by selling its product indiscriminately, including potentially to hackers, and by not requiring users to report bugs to Apple. He said that argument appeared “puzzling, if not disingenuous,” saying Cupertino, California-based Apple did not impose a reporting requirement under its own Bug Bounty Program.

I can see why Apple fought this, but it also seems right that they lost. But imagine if someone took this ruling to mean they could just host virtualized iOS instances for other uses, too.

Reed Albergotti, at The Washington Post:

Apple initially attempted to acquire Corellium in 2018, according to court records. When the acquisition talks stalled, Apple sued Corellium last year, claiming its virtual iPhones, which contain only the bare-bones functions necessary for security research, constitute a violation of copyright law. Apple also alleged Corellium circumvented Apple’s security measures to create the software, thereby violating the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. That claim has not been thrown out.

★ Tuesday, 29 December 2020