Psystar to depose numerous Apple executives in lawsuit

Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
Clone Mac creator Psystar announced this week that it will conduct depositions of numerous high-ranking Apple officials as it prepares its defense against the company's lawsuit.



"We are pleased to announce that an agreement with Apple's counsel was reached earlier this month and we now have the final list of their deponents for our proposed topics with respect to this litigation," the company's Web site states, in a blog post entitled 'A taste of their own medicine.'



It continues: "For the past week and the following ten days we will be doing depositions of some of Apple's highest level people. After numerous depositions of Psystar employees and associates, the shoe is finally on the other foot, oh the joy!"



True to the tone they have shown publicly so far, the company is even planning a semi-democratic take on their legal proceedings, asking readers to send in questions. The company states that they will take the top ten submissions for each Apple executive and ask them during the process.



The list of officials who have been or will be deposed and the corresponding dates are as follows:



Aug. 07 - John Wright - Senior software manager, OS X



Aug. 12 - Kevin Van Vechten - Software engineering manager, OS X



Aug. 13 - Phil Schiller - Senior VP, Worldwide Product Marketing



Aug. 14 - Mike Culbert - Senior director, Mac Hardware



Aug. 18 - Gary Thomas - Unknown



Aug. 19 - Simon Patience - Head of Core OS, OS X



Aug. 21 - Mark Donnelly - VP, Finance and Worldwide Business Management



Aug. 21 - Greg Christie - Unknown



Aug. 21 - Bob Mansfield - Senior VP, Mac Hardware Engineering



Last week, Psystar's request for its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing to be dismissed was granted in a Florida court. However, that same decision also included stipulations to ensure that the company won't be able to file for bankruptcy again to avoid its lawsuit with Apple in California.



Apple has a lawsuit against Psystar scheduled to start on January 11, 2010. When the company first filed for bankruptcy, the case was put on hold, until Apple had a stay on the case dismissed. Weeks ago, the clone-Mac-maker brought on a new legal team to continue its efforts.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 105
    ibillibill Posts: 400member
    Is this like a game show or something?
  • Reply 2 of 105
    So, let me get this straight. They are broke but somehow managed to put together a legal team to try to take down the genius lawyers at Apple - riiiggghhhhttt...



    I can only assume those lawyers are working for free unless Psystar wins and, no offense intended here, but those aren't exactly the cream of the crop...
  • Reply 3 of 105
    I for one cannot wait for Pystar to disappear, they are annoyingly cock-sure about this whole fiasco
  • Reply 4 of 105
    Guess they want to extend the 15 minutes and go down in history as David taking on Goliath or something to that effect?
  • Reply 5 of 105
    doroteadorotea Posts: 323member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    True to the tone they have shown publicly so far, the company is even planning a semi-democratic take on their legal proceedings, asking readers to send in questions. The company states that they will take the top ten submissions for each Apple executive and ask them during the process.



    I'm sure Psystar supporters are joyous to think that any question can be asked. But I think that questions in a deposition have to be germaine to the legal action / lawsuit.
  • Reply 6 of 105
    petermacpetermac Posts: 115member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by iBill View Post


    Is this like a game show or something?



    This is just another episode of what has become light hearted entertainment.



    I look forward to each new snippet for more laughs.
  • Reply 7 of 105
    quadra 610quadra 610 Posts: 6,757member
  • Reply 8 of 105
    b1937b1937 Posts: 11member
    Who is paying for these attorneys?? Psystar is supposedly broke.
  • Reply 9 of 105
    ajmasajmas Posts: 597member
    Did anyone find out where Psystar is getting their money yet? For a company in chapter 11, they seem to be exceeding their cash flow. I think I will add my vote to those who believe there is something fishy about Psystar and its hard not to think they are a front for someone else.



    They sound like another SCO.
  • Reply 10 of 105
    801801 Posts: 271member
    Psystar, with this request for questions to increase the amusement value of these depositions, does appear to be "Astroturf", that is, a larger entity is attempting to create false grass roots support for a position that will ultimately benefit primarily themselves.



    That or they are out of their minds. How else would you describe someone who is copying what they want to fight against.



    Odd.
  • Reply 11 of 105
    wigginwiggin Posts: 2,265member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by bigmc6000 View Post


    So, let me get this straight. They are broke but somehow managed to put together a legal team to try to take down the genius lawyers at Apple - riiiggghhhhttt...



    I can only assume those lawyers are working for free unless Psystar wins and, no offense intended here, but those aren't exactly the cream of the crop...



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by b1937 View Post


    Who is paying for these attorneys?? Psystar is supposedly broke.



    Keep in mind these are the same attorneys who defended a woman in her appeal against the RIAA after a $22,000 judgement against her. As a result of the appeal, the jury INCREASED the fine to $1.92 million! After that, I suspect the law firm is working for free because who in their right mind would hire them after their "defense" resulted in a 10 fold increase in the fine against their client?
  • Reply 12 of 105
    rot'napplerot'napple Posts: 1,839member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by iBill View Post


    Is this like a game show or something?



    If not, it ought to be... something like "The continuing case of Perry Mason"!
  • Reply 13 of 105
    chronsterchronster Posts: 1,894member
    Good LORD what a JOKE!



    The shoes on the other foot? WTF are they talking about? Are they gonna question Apple execs about how Apple stole Psystar IP? This is really just absolute nonsense, but they have the right, and I guess I support that aspect. It's obvious they have no case though, and are prolonging this process.



    I think I'll submit a question: "Should I buy a house right now, or wait and see if prices continue to drop?"
  • Reply 14 of 105
    charlitunacharlituna Posts: 7,217member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by iBill View Post


    Is this like a game show or something?



    i know. what do they have to depose anyone about. this isn't a patent suit where they are the victims. it is a case of gross copyright violation (with probable trademark infringement) they have already been shot down on anti-trust, and on their claim that Apple didn't properly file their copyright etc so they don't have any protection (which is totally false both that they didn't and that their is no protection)



    now they are trying to use EULAs are bad as a claim point. but the trouble is that even if that works all it would do is validate that one party can buy and install the software and then pass it on to someone else, given perhaps take a fee to do the install. it doesn't make putting it on a hackintosh legal. because an EULA's validity doesn't change the status of a company's copyright. All the EULA really does is state for the consumer what that status is, at least in the case of Apple's software.
  • Reply 15 of 105
    nite41nite41 Posts: 41member
    This is turning in to a Battle of Titans. Except Apple is the only Titan here. Psystar is 'supported' by another Titan
  • Reply 16 of 105
    sipadansipadan Posts: 107member
    Make a reality show out of it and watch the insane audience ratings!!!

    Now THAT'S a viable business model for PsySTARSSS



    And for the season grand finale ... (drums roll) ... STEVE!!!!
  • Reply 17 of 105
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Wiggin View Post


    Keep in mind these are the same attorneys who defended a woman in her appeal against the RIAA after a $22,000 judgement against her. As a result of the appeal, the jury INCREASED the fine to $1.92 million! After that, I suspect the law firm is working for free because who in their right mind would hire them after their "defense" resulted in a 10 fold increase in the fine against their client?



    I think that lady should sue her lawyers... (That result is one of the more recent ones where I question the sanity of my fellow man, it's rather sad really).
  • Reply 18 of 105
    While Psystar is in the wrong for clearly violating any IP that Apple has, Apple's tyranny must come to an end. ASSR (Apple Socialist Soviet Republic) must be dealt with. Their tyranny is out of control. Now while I use their products everyday and don't plan to use anything else, they are still boneheaded in their heavy handed tactics. Remove the Fuhrer and replace the Reich and all will be well.
  • Reply 19 of 105
    magic_almagic_al Posts: 325member
    Psystar isn't necessarily going to lose. Remember when Microsoft was trying to claim they could require their web browser and only their web browser to be sold with Windows because it was integral? Well, Apple is trying to tie a whole computer to their OS! Why should courts side with Apple if they didn't side with Microsoft?



    All Psystar wants to do is what every other PC manufacturer does, sell computers with someone else's OS, except Psystar wants Apple's OS, not Microsoft's.
  • Reply 20 of 105
    crees!crees! Posts: 501member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by 801 View Post


    Psystar, with this request for questions to increase the amusement value of these depositions, does appear to be "Astroturf", that is, a larger entity is attempting to create false grass roots support for a position that will ultimately benefit primarily themselves.



    That or they are out of their minds. How else would you describe someone who is copying what they want to fight against.



    Odd.



    I see you're being spoon fed Cheerios and Kool-Aid in a no-spill cup. Think for yourself instead of being told how to think.
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