Intellectual property lawyer releases iPhone-like software

It wasn't long after Apple announces its new iPhone before folks began writing programs to make Windows Mobile Smartphones look and act a bit more like the iPhone. And it wasn't much longer before Apple started to issue takedown notices to websites hosting, or even mentioning those programs.

Well, intellectual property lawyer Tomasz Rychlicki has decided to pick a little fight with Apple. He's posted two programs, RE's Unlocker and RE's Launcher on his website. Rychlicki didn't write these programs, but he believes that Apple has no right to keep anyone from distributing them.

His basic argument is that there's precedent suggesting that Apple cannot claim copyright to the phone's file heirarchy, icons, or wallpaper. Does that mean they won't sue him? Too early to say. Will he fight back? Looks like. Will he win? We wouldn't bet on it.

[via Pocket PC Thoughts]

Tags: iphone, re launcher, re unlocker, ReLauncher, ReUnlocker, tomasz rychlicki, TomaszRychlicki