Back in August of 2010 Apple secured a two-year exclusivity deal over Liquidmetal tech, a technology that has been rumoured to surface in the next iOS smartphone, and Apple’s agreement with Liquidmetal Technologies expired back in February; however, word is Apple has now managed to secure exclusivity over the tech for a further two-years.
According to the guys over at Slash Gear, according to a SEC filing by Liquidmetal Technologies, Apple’s original agreement with the firm has been extended to the February of 2014, delivering exclusive access for Apple to any of the firm’s developments.
The SEC filing states…“All intellectual property held by Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC is exclusively licensed on a perpetual basis to Apple for the field of use of consumer electronic products under the MTA . Under the Amendment, the parties agreed to amend the MTA to extend the February 5, 2012 date to February 5, 2014.”
Thus far, Apple hasn’t done much with the Liquidmetal technology, which is said to be stronger that other alloys, and apparently has only used the tech for the SIM removal tool for the iPhone and Apple iPad, but as Apple has now extended that exclusivity things could soon change.
Rumour has it that Apple intends to use the Liquidmetal tech for part or all of the chassis for the upcoming iPhone 5, and apparently there has been some internal disappointment over the break potential of the iPhone 4S glass body, which has encouraged Apple to change the industrial design to a sturdier alternative with the next iPhone.
For those that are into reading all the ins and outs and fine print of such things we have embedded the filing document for your perusal below.