An American judge on Tuesday dismissed a complaint by Apple for copyright infringement against a computer security company that would have had major repercussions for researchers of bugs and vulnerabilities in computer systems.
Read also: Targeted advertising: Facebook goes to war against Apple
In a judgment that AFP has consulted, Florida judge Rodney Smith explains that the apple brand has failed to provide a legal basis justifying the protection of its iOS operating system against security researchers.
Apple launched a lawsuit in 2019 against the startup Corellium it accused of having illegally reproduced iOS and applications that run on iPhone and iPad.
An argument rejected by Corellium, which offers software, a carbon copy of iOS, to its customers who need a security research tool on the operating system.
The start-up assures that its system helps find security vulnerabilities which are then shared with Apple, which allows the Silicon Valley giant to make iOS updates.
"There is evidence that supports Corellium's position that its product is intended for computer security research (...)"
, concluded Judge Rodney Smith.
Big setback for Apple
If this judgment is not overturned on appeal, it would be a big setback for Apple in its efforts to maintain full control over the operating system of its iPhone and in its desire to force third parties to use its own tools. computer security research.
On the other hand, it would be a great victory for security researchers who fear lawsuits that could lead to heavy financial penalties in the event of software reproduction.
Asked by AFP, Apple did not react immediately.