Last we heard about Psystar they were touting some small but significant progress in their ongoing legal battle against Apple. However, in an interesting turn of events, it is now being reported that the unauthorized Mac clone maker has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company pins its financial mess on the poor economy and its suppliers’ increasingly difficult credit terms, though others speculate the Psystar bankruptcy may indicate that its legal backers may have dropped out.

Apple has maintained that Psystar received considerable financial backing from one or more unknown third-parties that want to see OS X licensing policies loosened. No names have ever been confirmed, but if such an arrangement has been taking place, the companies in question would be exposed on June 5, the date of the bankruptcy hearing. In the meantime, the company will be to continue to do business, but all legal actions against them will be put on hold as the bankruptcy court begins its proceedings.