Apple and Corellium Reach Settlement in iOS Replication Lawsuit

Apple has reached a settlement in its multi-year copyright lawsuit against Corellium, a company known for creating virtual versions of iOS for security research purposes, Forbes reports.

iPhone 13 Security
The lawsuit, initiated by Apple in 2019, accused Corellium of infringing upon its copyrights by replicating iOS. Corellium's technology allowed security researchers and developers to run virtual iPhones, enabling them to probe iOS outside of Apple's own security measures. This capability was at the core of Apple's allegations, claiming that Corellium's software not only replicated iOS but also served as an alternative to Apple's security research products.

Corellium defended its actions under fair use, asserting that its replication of iOS was solely for the purpose of security research and was substantially transformative. In 2021, Apple agreed to drop its claims but then filed an appeal that challenged an earlier ruling in favor of Corellium's fair use claim.

This week, the court announced that both Apple and Corellium have ultimately come to a confidential settlement, bringing the prolonged dispute to an end.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1

Survey: Nearly 70% of Users Plan to Upgrade to iPhone 17

Monday September 1, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
A new survey has found that nearly seven in ten iPhone owners in the United States plan to upgrade to an iPhone 17 model, signaling strong demand ahead of Apple's expected unveiling of the devices at its September 9 keynote. Smartphone price comparison platform SellCell surveyed over 2,000 U.S.-based iPhone users in August to assess upgrade interest and brand loyalty before Apple's event....

Top Rated Comments

0339327 Avatar
23 months ago
While I understand that Apple doesn’t want this, it seems that Corellium has a legitimate purpose that serves to help better the product.

What I find surprising is that Apple didn’t agree to work with Corellium as a partner, instead, forcing them to recreate the OS.

Whatever the settlement is, I hope it allows the research to continue unabated.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shirasaki Avatar
23 months ago

Whatever the settlement is, I hope it allows the research to continue unabated.
Those involved would be more than happy to know what kind of change to Corellium’s ToC and all the string attached because of this confidential settlement, and the impact of this settlement to their research.

With that being said, we badly need strong individual entities outside Apple to see how ugly iOS is in its security and patch those vulnerabilities before government and hackers find them out and exploit for nefarious purposes.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Steve121178 Avatar
23 months ago

What I find surprising is that Apple didn’t agree to work with Corellium as a partner
They probably didn't want them finding too many holes in the security & prefer security issues to be something they curate and highlight rather than the broader community exposing their software willy nilly.

But I can understand they didn't want them creating virtual versions. However, if it helps plug the holes in security it's completely bizarre to be against this.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nathan_reilly Avatar
23 months ago

Well, if you're uploading their software on the internet without paying them, they won't be happy!
this is not at all what this is about. To frame this like it's a high schooler pirating videogames is disingenuous and uncharitable to the extreme
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spcopsmac21 Avatar
23 months ago

So what is Corellium’s business model? Find security flaws on iOS and sell them on the dark web?
No….not at all.
It helped developers better design and implements applications and patch loose holes in systems and code in order to get full utilization of the operating system.

They didn’t sell back doors or holes. The whole thing was designed to BLOCK back doors and hole and find flaws that would enable nefarious actors into doing what you said…..
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lkrupp Avatar
23 months ago
So what is Corellium’s business model? Find security flaws on iOS and sell them on the dark web?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)