Apple on Thursday filed a lawsuit claiming software virtualization firm Corellium has infringed on copyrights covering iOS, iTunes and other Apple assets. Corellium claims it is the “first and only platform” that offers iOS, Android, and Linux virtualization on ARM.
The lawsuit, filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, claims Corellium’s mobile device virtualization solution infringes on various software copyrights. Apple says the suit is a “straightforward case of infringement of highly valuable copyrighted works.”
Corellium advertises its virtualization product as a tool for developers ferreting out bugs, flaws and other vulnerabilities in software and hardware. The tool is available on the web or as a $1 million-per-year “private” local installation. Apple says certain of the firms solutions use virtual versions of iOS devices running what Apple calls unauthorized copies of iOS.
The firm’s tools allow users to create a virtual iOS device in the cloud – support includes the latest iPhone and iPad models – and they can then load an iOS build directly form APple’s servers, which creates a “fully functioning” replica device. Users can make multiple copies of a virtual device and its software.
While Corellium touts its software product as running “real iOS — with real bugs that have real exploits,” Apple has not licensed iOS, iTunes or its user interface technologies for use by Corellium.
Apple believes Corellium’s servers are illegally hosting numerous copies of iOS. The alleged infringement also includes copies of iTunes. Apple says the company doesn’t appear to require its customers to limit use of its products to research and testing, nor does the firm require customers to disclose discovered bugs and vulnerabilities to Apple.
Apple is seeking an injunction that prohibits the sale of and access to Corellium products, an order to return owned intellectual property, destruction or impounding of infringing materials, damages and court fees.
Apple v. Corellium by Mikey Campbell on Scribd