The specific patch the FBI is asking for is a way to be able to run a mechanized brute force attack on the pin for the phone without triggering the auto-erase.
This would require a new OS to be installed in a way that bypasses what I imagine are merely software blocks to installing OSes (it sounds like if they have possession of the device, they can install the OS to it).
This is a technique and a technique can certainly be replicated. Only problem is next time, Apple can't say, "this is an unprecedented step, and very burden-some," which actually turns out to be a legal basis.
Why would Apple not voluntarily comply? They should not need to be compelled here. They should be eager to assisting this investigation.
This isn't them taking a stand in some sort of NSA spying case, as much as Apple fanboys seem to think that's what's happening here. They're refusing to lift a finger in an investigation of mass murder.
This would require a new OS to be installed in a way that bypasses what I imagine are merely software blocks to installing OSes (it sounds like if they have possession of the device, they can install the OS to it).
This is a technique and a technique can certainly be replicated. Only problem is next time, Apple can't say, "this is an unprecedented step, and very burden-some," which actually turns out to be a legal basis.