Apple is disputing the interference of the U.S. Justice Department in a copyright suit against software maker Corellium as questions arise as to why the federal government is now involved in the case.
The Department of Justice has now intervened in the case asking Apple to delay its request for a deposition of Corellium cofounder Chris Wade, and inquiring to what evidence Apple is planning on presenting before its lawyers question Wade.
As reported by Forbes Monday, Apple is suing Corellium over its software, whose product lets users run iOS firmware in a web browser to test for security and functionality. Apple filed suit last August.
“There is no basis for Corellium to be selling a product that allows the creation of avowedly perfect replicas of Apple’s devices to anyone willing to pay,” Apple’s lawyers argued in the original filing.
In court filings submitted last Friday, Apple said that its evidence “includes photographs Apple obtained” which “reveal highly sensitive information about sources and methods related to Apple’s internal investigation.”
Forbes reported Apple is willing to turn over those photos, but not until being given assurances that their contents be protected. The government has yet to provide those assurances.
Apple’s lawyers stated in a court filing:
”Apple and the court still do not know whether the government has an actual interest in this action. The government has provided no compelling reason, much less any evidence, to justify the unfair prejudice that would befall Apple as it prepares for dispositive motions and trial.”
What’s so confidential?
There is no clear indication what photos Apple has or why the government wants to see them.
One exhibit published Friday included emails between the Justice Department and Apple in which DOJ attorney Serena Orloff wrote, “The bottom line is that we want to see those exhibits so we can use them to help assess our interests in the litigation.”
Corellium has previously agreed that there were “national security concerns” related to the case. It appears the DOJs concerns could be interrelated. One source with knowledge of the case told Forbes they believed the government’s interest is related to an ongoing criminal investigation not directly related to Corellium or Apple.
