Apple and Psystar Go to Mediation

By Geoff Duncan October 20, 2008

Apple and Psystar Go to Mediation

According to filing unearthed by The Mac Observer, Apple and would-be Mac OS clone maker Psystar have been forced into mediation talks by the judge handling the parties suits against each other. Apple has sued Psystar alleging copyright infringement for putting Mac OS X on non-Apple hardware, along with claims of trademark infringement and unfair competition. For its part Psystar sued Apple, claiming the Mac maker engages in unfair competition and violates antitrust law by not allowing others to ship Mac OS X on third-party hardware.

Now, the companies have both agreed to participate in Alternative Dispute Resolution proceedings before the judge will let the matter go to trial. If the two parties can’t work out an agreement or settlement, the judge can decide to move them along to trial, but if the just feels one of the parties is being unreasonable—or, really, for any reason at all—the court can continue to require the parties to keep talking.

Mediation talks are scheduled to begin January 31, 2009.

If Psystar emerges victorious from either the talks or a court battle, it will likely mean open season for computer makers looking to build their own Macs and undercut Apple’s famously high margins on hardware. Psystar is seeking to have Apple’s end user license agreement for Mac OS X declared invalid, but—should it win—could even go after Apple for damages.

Industry watchers currently mark Psystar’s chances of victory as slim: in addition to having to face down Apple’s well-honed legal team and deep cash reserves, the company’s claims that Apple is guilty of antitrust violations are difficult to fathom, given that Apple is still very much a minority player in the U.S. (and global) PC market.

Editors' Recommendations

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Computing

Best Apple deals: Save on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, MacBook

Apple MacBook Air M1 open, on a table.

Apple has been a big player in the tech space for a long time, and it has pioneered some of the technology we use today, such as best wireless earbuds and the best smartwatches. If that wasn't enough, it even makes some of the best best laptops and best tablets on the market, so pretty much whatever tech you're looking for, Apple has an excellent version of it. Not only that, but Apple's ecosystem is also easily one of the best available, with only Samsung really competing in that space, and if you're already in the Apple ecosystem, then it makes sense to continue buying stuff from Apple.

Of course, Apple tech can be quite pricey, which is why we've gone out and searched through various big retailers to find you some of the best deals we can find. That includes everything from the MacBook to the AirTag, so hopefully, you can find the perfect deal that fits your needs and budget.
Apple AirTag (4-Pack) -- $80, was $99

Computing

How to customize mouse gestures on Mac

Apple Magic Mouse on a desk.

Did you know that you can still pull off gestures and haptic tricks with a Mac computer, even without a touchscreen? Such feats are possible, just as long as you own an Apple Magic Mouse. Far more than a sleek-looking desk accessory, the Magic Mouse functions much like a MacBook trackpad. Taps, long presses, swipes, and pinches (among other actions) deliver a number of results, and you’ll be able to customize these commands, too.

Computing

The Vision Pro is already in trouble. Here’s how Apple can turn the tide

A man wears an Apple Vision Pro headset.

Apple’s Vision Pro headset lit the world on fire when it was announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2023, and again when it launched in February of this year. But in the months since, it’s apparently been losing steam, with sales down and people staying away from in-store demonstrations. That doesn’t bode well for Apple’s “next big thing.”

The key question, though, is whether this an actual problem for Apple. And if so, what can the company do about it?
In free fall?
If you read Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter, you’ll see some concerning reporting, at least from Apple’s perspective. Citing staff at Apple’s retail stores, Gurman claims that “Demand for [Vision Pro] demos is way down. People who do book appointments often don’t show up.”