Apple and Psystar agree on trade secret confidentiality

Posted on by Cyrus Farivar, Macworld.com

In what may be the second-most ridiculous current tech-related intellectual property case—after, of course, The Pirate Bay trial in Stockholm—Apple and clone-maker Psystar continue to battle it out. A trial has been set for November, and there's already been more than enough legal maneuvering to make Solomon call for his sword.

Cupertino argues that making clones is in violation of its license agreement; Psystar says no way and continues to flagrantly sell its OpenMac.

However, just last week, the two companies filed a "Joint Motion for Protective Order," an 18-page document that allows both companies to establish "confidential" material, as well as other material that "would affect [each company's] competitive position...or technological developments in an adverse manner."

Confidential information would only be allowed to be seen by attorneys and no more than two full-time employees selected by each company. Members of the court, including jurors and expert witnesses, would also be bound by confidentiality.

Once the judge rules on this motion, reports Ars Technica, the discovery process is likely to quickly get underway.

Assuming this thing doesn't get settled, and the November trial date sticks, we could be in for a long haul before this whole case is resolved.

[Legal hat tip: Nathan Cardozo]

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