Security researchers who want to get under the hood of technology to improve it received a pleasant victory on Tuesday, when a Florida federal judge decided to reject Apple’s infringement claims against the virtual iPhone software maker.
Last year, Apple filed a trial against the manufacturers of Corellium, claiming that the software infringed its copyrights, and later dropped Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) claims violations for good measure. Into the his leadership, U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith said the software in question was covered by fair use for several reasons, but DMCA claims will still have to be resolved in court.
Corellium software is used by researchers to create virtual iOS devices to investigate errors and compare different versions of Apple’s mobile operating system. If a researcher deals with a virtual iPhone and finds that he has locked the device, all he has to do is restart the simulation instead of removing a new iPhone.
Judge Smith found that “Apple’s position is puzzling, if not dishonest.” He said that Corellium does not create a product that competes with Apple and that the software has a genuine intention to improve Apple products for users. Smith was also surprised that Apple tried to acquire Corellium before talks began. It provided a demonstration of the usefulness of Corellium, and Smith noted that “if Apple had purchased the Corellium product, the product would have been used internally for testing and validation (ie, for system deficiencies and device operation).” Judge also found that Corellium uses a sufficient verification process for its customers and is therefore not guilty of claiming to sell its software without discrimination.
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But Apple’s arguments that Corellium violated certain provisions of the DMCA by circumventing security measures will require further judicial review.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
It’s been a fantastic week for Corellium. This legal victory should help remove the cloud over the cyber security community that he was nervous about using virtualization software. Furthermore, Forbes named Corellium the best cybersecurity product of the year. And last week, flying under the radar, Corellium founder Chris Wade received a complete pardon from President Trump. It is unclear what crime Wade was convicted of, but tsaid the White House that “Wade served two years on probation after pleading guilty to various cybercrimes. Since his conviction, he has shown remorse and sought to make his community a safer place. “