Aug 13, 2021 06:00:00

Apple settled with Corellium, which sells 'virtual iPhone', and pointed out that 'Apple had too many proceedings'

Corellium, a security company that sells tools that allow mobile devices running iOS and Android to run on a browser, has been sued by Apple for 'selling an exact copy of iOS.' A trial was scheduled to take place in federal court on August 16, 2021, but it was reported that Apple and Corellium reached a settlement on August 10 and the proceedings were withdrawn.

Apple drops lawsuit against Corellium in confidential settlement --The Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/08/10/apple-drops-corellium-lawsuit/

Apple settles lawsuit against Corellium as iOS platform dictatorship looks more precarious • The Register
https://www.theregister.com/2021/08/11/apple_corellium_lawsuit/

Apple settles lawsuit against security startup Corellium --The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/11/22620014/apple-corellium-security-virtual-iphone-dmca-lawsuit-settled

Corellium sells a tool that allows you to run a virtual iPhone via a browser and explore iOS in depth without a real device. 'Our product is an exact copy of iOS and is great for testing vulnerabilities,' Corellium said, saying the tool would help security researchers find potential bugs in iOS.

However, Apple filed a proceeding against Corellium on August 15, 2019, alleging that Corellium's products infringe copyright. 'Corellium encourages customers to sell and profit from the vulnerabilities they discover.' 'We don't intend to prevent sound security research, but Corellium's business is a copyright infringement of Apple products,' Apple said. Claims.

Apple files a lawsuit against a company that sells a 'perfect copy' of iOS-GIGAZINE

Apple subsequently said that Corellium violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) , saying that 'Corellium's products were created without the permission of the copyright holder, Apple, circumventing security measures.' Added the claim. Corellium, meanwhile, argued that the virtual iPhone opens security research and app development to third parties, and Apple is trying to monopolize security research for its iPhone and other products.

In December 2020, the District Court for the Southern District of Florida ruled that 'Corellium's products are eligible for fair use and do not constitute copyright infringement,' and Apple lost the copyright infringement . Meanwhile, the DMCA was not ruled, so the court battle between Apple and Corellium continued, with another trial scheduled for August 16, 2021.

However, on August 10, the following week before the trial, a settlement was suddenly reached between Apple and Corellium, and Apple withdrew the proceedings. Corellium still sells virtual iPhones, but the terms of the settlement are unknown. In response to the Washington Post's inquiry, Corellium co-founder Christopher Wade declined to comment, and Apple did not comment.

Ruby on Rails developer David Heinemeier Hanson believes that Apple's choice of settlement was 'too many proceedings.' Apple has always had multiple proceedings, including a proceeding with Corellium, a proceeding with Fortnite developer Epic Games, and a class action proceeding with theApp Store and iTunes content purchases.

Of course, with Apple's tremendous financial resources, even if you have multiple proceedings, you do not have to worry about running out of funds, and you can even buy the proceedings and settle them. Documents actually filed in court also show that Apple was attempting to acquire Corellium in 2018, before filing a proceeding against Corellium.

But Hanson said, 'Apple has the financial capital to fight all the litigants at once, but they don't have the'political or reputational capital'to do so.' Pointed out. Proceedings in many directions can undermine Apple's image and exacerbate the situation that is already regulated by antitrust laws. Mr. Hanson said that Apple was cautious because it noticed this point and may have brought the proceedings with Corellium to the settlement.

Hanson said Apple's policy shift in light of political and judicial influences might be beneficial in the long run. For example, in the late 1990s and 2000s, Microsoft was exposed to rigorous political and judicial pursuits, saying it 'abused its monopoly position in the market to undermine the competitiveness of its competitors and infringe on consumer interests.' At this time, as a result of senior management including Bill Gates feeling a sense of crisis that 'Microsoft may be crushed as it is', Microsoft began to manage the company more carefully, and even at the time of writing the article, Microsoft Prosperous.

'Remembering the potential for your company to die is good for your business. You can't always fight the world. After gaining this deep insight, Apple will be better,' Hanson said. Said.