New York judge ruled against the U.S. government that government can’t force Apple to unlock an iPhone to investigate a drug dealer.

On Monday, NY federal Judge sided with Apple in a separate drug case indicating that a 18th-century law, called the All Writ’s Act, doesn’t give the government a power to force Apple to derive data from a locked phone.

All writ’s act was part of the 1789 U.S. Judiciary Act. The “Writ ” means “Formal Order” that gives a federal judge to compel an individual to do necessary and proper things within the boundaries of law.

Recently, however, a California judge in San Bernardino case sided with government saying that Apple should help government in unlocking a cellphone used by a shooter.

The heart of the legal contention in California case was that whether the government can use an 18th-century law to compel Apple to help unlock a cellphone used by a shooter in the shooting.

But on Monday, NY Judge James Orenstein ruled in favor of Apple. He concluded that All Writ’s Act doesn’t give the government any right to compel Apple to reveal info that is in violation of an individual’s privacy rights.

The ruling in NY is not binding in California court, but this decision opened a new window as to how should the All Writs act be interpreted and it seems that Monday’s approach will play an important role in reaching verdict in California case too.