Mac scourge Psystar is far from admitting defeat in its long running battle with Apple over the right to sell Mac clone software, despite a recent court injunction.

About a fortnight ago the District Court for the Northern District of California granted the injunction, which effectively bans Psystar from selling PC hardware running Apple's operating system. However, in a statement last week, Psystar said that it would only be halting sales of the Rebel EFI software product which allows PC users to run Mac OS, while it seeks clarification over its legality.

"Our patience has been tested but our resolve is unwavering," read the statement.

"Psystar's vision of bringing the Mac OS to generic PC hardware is and always will be unyielding. Although Rebel EFI may be temporarily unavailable for purchase on the Psystar online store, those who purchase a t-shirt or donate over twenty dollars will receive one free copy of Rebel EFI once the court has ruled in our favor on this issue."

And in a sign that the legal battle with Apple could be far from over, Psystar then launched a stinging attack on the court's judgement, saying it is not a "hardcore copyright infringer".

"Psystar has never, and will never, condone software piracy. It's your software, you should be able to use it where you want to. If you purchase an off-the-shelf copy of OS X Snow Leopard, its your right to use that software," the company said.

"A publisher cannot forbid you from reading a book in the bathroom or listening to a music disc while riding your bicycle. There should be no difference in the software realm, no matter how much money Apple or anyone else throws at it. That is the real issue here and what we have always been fighting for."

It's a fair point, but without any major legal precedent, fairness doesn't really come into it. Either way, expect the PR battle in this tech David and Goliath match to hot up in 2010.

28 Dec 2009