Psystar files for bankruptcy, Apple lawsuit in limbo

It wasn't hard to see this coming.  In fact, many will wonder why it took so long. Psystar, the unauthorized Apple Clone-maker, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week.  While the Miami-based business may or may not have been successful selling Apple clones, its biggest expenses were most likely Apple's lawsuit-related fees. 

Apple had insinuated during previous statements that it believed Psystar had some nefarious legal backing from a third party.  The bankruptcy filing means that their backers likely pulled out or aren't rich enough to take Apple to court.  That doesn't mean that they won't be outted at some point.

The Florida court will hold a hearing on June 5 where Psystar's equity creditors will be revealed -- which means if there have been deep pockets behind the company's fight against Apple, those names will finally come out of the shadows.

Psystar's bankruptcy filing will temporarily slow down Apple's case in northern California because all legal actions involving the PC maker are automatically put on hold while the bankruptcy court begins its proceedings. The judge overseeing the case will, however, most likely lift that stay within a few months, allowing Apple's case to start moving forward again.

Even as Psystar is closing (well, not yet), yet another Apple Clone-maker, AppleOpenUSA, is opening up shop.