Apple Settles Copyright Lawsuit With Virtual iOS Software Company

Apple has settled a copyright lawsuit against software maker Corellium, whose software allows users to run virtual iPhones on a computer browser and gives security researchers access to Apple’s iOS without a physical device.

Apple sued Corellium in 2019 for copyright infringement, claiming the company was selling its product indiscriminately and therefore placing the platform’s security at risk. Apple told a judge it was concerned Corellium was selling its products to governments that could find exploitable flaws in Apple's software. Court records also reveal that Apple tried to acquire Corellium in 2018 before filing the lawsuit. 

A judge dismissed the 2019 copyright claim later that year and wrote in a ruling that “the Court finds that Corellium has met its burden of establishing fair use.” However, at that time, the judge allowed Apple to move forward with claims that Corellium had violated its copyrights and that Corellium's products were a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The case was scheduled to go to trial in federal court on Aug. 16. 

Terms of today’s settlement were not disclosed, but a report in The Washington Post says Corellium continues to offer virtual iOS systems.

More on the settlement can be read here.