Josh Grant, a 26-year-old Londoner, has launched a legal bid to force Apple to unlock his late mother's two-year-old iPad.

Despite having sent them copies of his mother's death certificate and will, the company still refuses to unlock it.

"We obviously couldn't get written permission because mum had died. So my brother has been back and forth with Apple, they're asking for some kind of proof that he can have the iPad," Grant said.

"We've provided the death certificate, will and solicitor's letter but it wasn't enough. They've now asked for a court order to prove that mum was the owner of the iPad and the iTunes account.

The lawyer is costing Grant 200 pounds per hour, so he could easily just buy a new IPad. So it is assumed that Grant wants the pictures and other data still on the phone.

Apple stated that its security measures exist to protect lost or stolen devices.