Psystar can’t catch a break. After spending more than a year in a legal battle with Apple for selling Intel based systems pre-loaded with Mac OS X, the company lost its battle on Friday when a federal judge ruled in favor of Apple.
Apparently the federal government doesn’t support companies violating copyright law, EULA restrictions, and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act — too bad for Psystar.
Here’s a play-by-play of events in the long legal battle:
April 2008 – The $399 Mac Clone
Psystar started selling $399 Mac clones that shipped running Mac OS X Leopard, despite the license agreement clearly stating that Apple software could not be installed or run on a non-Apple computer.
The base configuration Open Computer sported a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor and 2GB memory. At the time the cheapest Apple computer, the Mac Mini shipped with a 1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor and 1GB of memory.
Psystar’s Web site directly challenged Apple hardware by asking, “Why spend $1999 to get the least expensive Apple computer with a decent video card when you can pay less than a fourth of that for an equivalent sleek and small form-factor desktop with the same hardware.”
July 2008 – Apple Files Suit:
Apple filed suit against Psystar claiming it violates copyright and licensing agreements by selling computers with Mac OS X, starting the long legal battle between the two companies.
August 2008 – Psystar Accuses Apple of Antitrust:
Lawyers for Psystar announce the company plans to free Mac OS from the “anticompetitive tactics” of Apple and its hardware prices by filing an antitrust lawsuit against Apple.
“My goal is to provide an alternative, not to free the Mac OS,” said Rudy Pedraza, owner of Psystar. He added that he wanted to provide a cheap alternative to Apple’s hardware.
November 2008 – Apple Wins Antitrust Case:
Psystar takes a major hit when U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup says its allegations that Apple holds a monopoly over its operating 
Apple ensues to pour salt on Psystar’s wounds by adding a DMCA violation charge against the company saying it broke through antipiracy defenses.
February 2009 – Green Light for Psystar Countersuit:
U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup rules that Psystar can rethink its countersuit against Apple.
Instead of arguing that Apple is in violation of antitrust law, Psystar proposes that Apple is stretching copyright laws by linking its operating system to its hardware.
Alsup also hints that Psystar may become a hero of the tech industry, boosting Psystar’s moral after several months of tough battle against Apple. Alsup said if Psystar proves its case, other companies may be able to sell computers pre-installed with Mac OS X.
October 2009 – Software Runs Mac OS:
Psystar provokes Apple by starting to sell Rebel EFI on its Web site for $50. The software contains the company’s Darwin Universal Boot Loader that allows up to six operating systems to be crammed onto one hard drive, including Mac OS.
June 2009 – Suit OK’d Despite Psystar’s Chapter 11:
Florida Bankruptcy Judge Robert Back lifted a hold placed on Apple’s lawsuit against Psystar after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, allowing Apple to move ahead with the case.
July 2009 – Psystar Seeks to End Bankruptcy:
Psystar aked a Miami federal bankruptcy court to dismiss its Chapter 11 case since it could not reach a payment agreement with its legal firm. Psystar owed the firm $88,000.
July 2009 – New Legal Counsel for Psystar:
Unable to reach a payment agreement with its previous legal representation, Psystar hires Houston-based Camara & Sibley as its new legal team. The firm represents plaintiffs for a flat fee instead of a success-fee basis.
August/September 2009 -Snow Leopard Suit:
Psystar sues Apple again.
This time it accuses Apple of breaking antitrust legislation by tying its new operating system, Snow Leopard, to Apple hardware. Sound familiar?
Despite a continuing legal battle with Apple and new law suit, Psystar makes the new operating system available to its customers as a $69.99 optional upgrade.
Sept 26, 2009 – Apple Seeks Dismissal:
U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup rejected Apple’s request to throw out Psystar’s suit over Snow Leopard. The judge also criticized Apple for releasing the new operating system after the discovery period of the previous case closed. He said the suspicious timing effectively took Snow Leopard out of the case.
October 2009 – Apple, Psystar Seek an End:
Psystar agrees to stop selling machines with Mac OS X Leopard, conceding to an injunction.
Lawyers f
Uncertain Future:
Although the larger battle goes to Apple with the recent victory over Psystar, the legal battle is far from over.
Apple is still waiting a judgment on several accusations against Psystar including breach of contract, trademark infringement, trademark dilution, trade dress infringement, and unfair competition.
Psystar’s antitrust suit against Apple linking its hardware and Snow Leopard is still on the table, but things aren’t looking good for the Mac cloner.