Judge Rodney Smith said Apple failed to
show a legal basis for protecting its entire iOS operating system from security
researchers.
Apple sued the Florida-based startup in
2019 claiming its "virtualisation" of iOS software constituted
copyright infringement.
But the judge ruled that Corellium's work,
which is designed to find security holes in the software, was "fair
use" of copyrighted material.
"From the infancy of copyright
protection, courts have recognised that some opportunity for fair use of
copyrighted materials is necessary to fulfill copyright's purpose of promoting
'the progress of science and useful arts,'" Smith wrote.
"There is evidence in the record to
support Corellium's position that its product is intended for security research
and, as Apple concedes, can be used for security research. Further, Apple
itself would have used the product for internal testing had it successfully
acquired the company."
The ruling, if upheld, represents a victory
for security researchers who could face civil or criminal penalties for
reproducing copyrighted software as part of efforts to find vulnerabilities.
It also limits Apple's efforts to exercise
full control of its iPhone software and its ability to force third parties to
use its proprietary security research tools.
Apple did not immediately respond to a
request for comment on the case.
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