Apple Files $2M+ Lawsuit Against Counterfeiter, Finds 90% of 'Genuine' Accessories on Amazon Are Knockoffs

[szw-mapple fan]

When's Apple going to sue themselves for their poorly made cables? I haven't had a single iOS device cable last more then a year.

I'm curious about you use cases. None of my lightning has frayed after years of (not so careful) use. They are dirty, but that's about it. My MacBook chargers, on the other hand, have been terrible at holding up. I have to replace it every 18 months due to the magsafe part fraying.

 

[shareef777]

I'm curious about you use cases. None of my lightning has frayed after years of (not so careful) use. They are dirty, but that's about it. My MacBook chargers, on the other hand, have been terrible at holding up. I have to replace it every 18 months due to the magsafe part fraying.

It's because I use my devices while they're plugged in. Biggest of which is when I'm laying in bed and moving the device from hand to hand. The cable gets bent and twisted while I move around. Something I think it should be able to handle.

 

[AgentAnonymous]

I don't know what your doing to your cables, but I'm still using the lightning cable from when they first came out in my car.



Did you even bother to read the story, at all? It has nothing to do with the competition. These were supposed to be original oem cables and chargers, and they were definitely not. There is plenty of companies that make cables, and apple doesn't go after them.

I read it. It has plenty to do with the competition, because they also investigate people who make headphones.
[doublepost=1476922113][/doublepost]

Yes, I'm sure you're right, Apple is only doing this to "stomp down on competition", and not to get actual dangerous knockoff chargers out of the marketplace (that article is just one of many). There are companies out there manufacturing knockoffs that aren't just trading on Apple's good name, aren't just shoddily made, but are actually dangerous. But, please, keep protesting that it's entirely about profit. I'm sure there are plenty of people who wouldn't care if you died tomorrow.

There are plenty of 3rd items they want taken off the market that aren't combusting. They don't actually care about the safety of random people, because it's not their job. The existence of the department that investigates 3rd party accessories is to simply direct as much profit to them as possible. This is simple business 101.

But, please, keep protesting that it's entirely about profit.

And, please, keep denying the reality of it.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who wouldn't care if you died tomorrow.

Not even half the amount who wouldn't care if you died tomorrow. Trust me on that one.

But the difference is I'm not naively paying those people like you.
[doublepost=1476922195][/doublepost]

LOL, that is some sick trolling.

Not as good as yours. Keep it up.
[doublepost=1476922287][/doublepost]

Have you ever heard of the MFi program? Legitimate companies can and DO make plenty of quality Apple-authorized products, and sell them cheaper than Apple. Lightning cables from Monoprice are a prime example. And they come with a LIFETIME guarantee.

So, tell me again how Apple is stomping down competition.

I've already told you. Dangerous products are not the only products that Apple "audits". They audit them all, and whenever they feel they can direct sales to them under any technicality they will try to do so. They're doing the same thing with lightning headphones, and those aren't exploding.

 

[johnnygee]

Take a look at the reviews on Amazon for the Apple Watch. Many people complained of receiving an empty box for their money. Amazon regularly ships counterfeit items from other name-brand vendors through third party sellers.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/on-amazon-pooled-merchandise-opens-door-to-knockoffs-1399852852?mobile=y

 

[riverfreak]

The knock-offs from overseas are getting out of control on Amazon. It has become increasingly harder to know if I'm buying an authentic product until it shows up at my door looking like a 5 year old created the product.

Exactly. Amazon is packed full of fakes -- at least marketplace items. I never buy anything from the marketplace or from "sold by Xx, fulfilled by Amazon". It simply isn't worth the hassle.

 

[ILikeAllOS]

When's Apple going to sue themselves for their poorly made cables? I haven't had a single iOS device cable last more then a year.

Stop letting your cat chew the cables and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[tennisproha]

But the problem is as soon as Apple tells us (some markings) to look for, the counterfeiters (the good ones anyway) will just copy that also

No I meant they should tell us what to look for to determine it's a counterfeit, not to determine it's genuine. But I guess that could be hard without getting inside.

On eBay from a regular person (not a store with 1000s of feedback) is more reliable, in my opinion. Even better, obviously, if they provide a receipt. I've bought from eBay purposefully picking lightning cables new in box, but then as soon as I got it (I was skeptical) I figured out even the box was counterfeited--only slightly off, luckily kept some Apple genuine boxes to compare. I messaged the seller, had no issues returning and getting my money back, but few days later eBay pulled the listing completely. (I hate it when they do that, it's as if eBay completely disavows all knowledge and wipes it off their servers).

I agree about buying from small-time sellers but I guess even they could be just reselling big-time sellers' products.

What are some things you look for to compare the packaging? I have all the old packaging but don't have any ones directly from Apple to compare. It even had the orange string pull-tab and everything.

The main reason I bought cables and adapters from eBay was b/c you can get them for substantially cheaper. They're incredibly overpriced imo.

It's unclear from the article but from the screenshots, it says 'ships and sold by Amazon', which means these were bought directly from Amazon and not a 3rd party. But I guess I have no choice now but yo buy directly from Apple.

Also I agree eBay shouldn't remove old listing. Even your bought and sold items disappear after some time.

 

[renai-spirit]

No fraying or deterioration of my 30-pin cables (4S used for 4 years, iPod Classic still in use), Lightning cables (still using the cable which came from a 1st gen iPad Mini, along with that which came with my 6S Plus), or with my power adapter and cable from my mid-2009 MBP. Perhaps I'm just lucky.

3rd party cables I have had issues with though, e.g. a Belkin retractable cable has some exposed wires near the 30-pin plug, and a couple of knock-off Lightning cables didn't last long.

 

[AZ63]

Didn't realize I needed to baby a cable. I'll cradle my $2k+ laptop, not my $20 cord. The fact that you only charge your iPad every 5-10days (the fact that the battery even holds a charge at this point) tells me you don't don't actually use your products very much. Maybe your children get more done on the equipment then you do. I've had my MacBook for 4+ years now and the vowel letters are worn down. That's how much use my equipment gets..

Yes, I am sure you are much more the norm.

 

[brownbird]

Um what about us?! People who have purchased counterfeit products? Shouldn't we be compensated or refunded?

 

[Feenician]

Um what about us?! People who have purchased counterfeit products? Shouldn't we be compensated or refunded?

Mail Jeff Bezos. It's jeff@amazon.com

 

[renai-spirit]

Um what about us?! People who have purchased counterfeit products? Shouldn't we be compensated or refunded?

Apparently there's a class-action by customers against Amazon in the wind.

 

[JamesPDX]

Amazon was a great idea, but things seem to be spinning out of control over there. It's turned into a legit-looking eBay on steroids. There are a lot of "too good to be true" deals on there. Maybe if the FTC comes down on them to weed-out the knockoffs and rippers-off (I'm looking at you Samsung SSD reseller) -then Amazon can emerge unscathed.

 

[CarlJ]

What I did comment, was that buying the genuine article is no guarantee of safety either. This was in response to the idea that people were "safe" by doing so. Safer, sure, usually. But not safe absolutely.

As I'm sure you'll agree, consumers should always take care with any product. Having a genuine charger is not going to save you if you abuse it or place it under covers or whatever.

Agreed, the genuine article doesn't have a guarantee of safety. It does generally have a findable responsible party, who has a reputation that they have a vested interest in upholding, so they'll want to get the issue sorted out if there is a problem. As to "safe"... well, everything carries a level of risk (and it's amazing how many people can't get their heads around this simple fact), so yeah, the genuine article is not absolutely safe, but the odds are it's more likely to be safer. I think we're on the same page.
[doublepost=1476947537][/doublepost]

Stop letting your cat chew the cables and you shouldn't have any problems.

Years ago our then very young kitten excitedly ran over while I was playing UT2004 on my PowerBook, and chomped down on the mouse cable, because "oh look! string! that's moving!". Which immediately killed the mouse (it was a small Logitech laptop mouse, with an extremely thin cord - basically unrepairable). For days afterwards, my wife was gleefully telling friends that our kitten, "had got her first mouse!" (Said kitten celebrated her 12th birthday today.)

 

[lowendlinux]

What are you doing to your cables? Mine last several years. I think the only cable I've had die was the very first one that came with my iPhone 5 four years ago.

Probably the same thing my wife does. She goes through Apple cables once a year yet I still have my G4's original power cable

 

[tresmith]

There wouldn't be so many knock offs if Apple didn't over charge for their products. Apple creates the demand for these cheap products by making their own stuff expensive.

And please spare me the argument that Apple charges what it does because it makes quality stuff. Third party cables last longer than Apple's own cables.

 

[MH01]

This reflects really poorly on Amazon's reputation as a trustworthy seller. TBH I no longer buy anything on Amazon without first checking it on fakespot.com. That's supposed to be Amazon's job, not mine.

You have a valid point which I agree with, though it's business, and Amazon get a cut from each sale. Every company is guilty of turning a blind eye for the sake of profit . Only thing we got is consumer laws.

 

[Iconoclysm]

It's because I use my devices while they're plugged in. Biggest of which is when I'm laying in bed and moving the device from hand to hand. The cable gets bent and twisted while I move around. Something I think it should be able to handle.

That does really cause problems over time, but I wouldn't say they're poorly made. They're definitely not heavy duty when it comes to the sleeve, they're easier to move around like you're doing than the hard plastic type. Braided cables are probably the best for longevity and moving around, and if Apple made one I'd be all over it. For now, I've been using the Anker Powerline+ or whatever they're called - and they do have their own issues with not being recognized like many other 3rd party cables.
[doublepost=1476958414][/doublepost]

There wouldn't be so many knock offs if Apple didn't over charge for their products. Apple creates the demand for these cheap products by making their own stuff expensive.

And please spare me the argument that Apple charges what it does because it makes quality stuff. Third party cables last longer than Apple's own cables.

Last longer, but have other problems instead.

 

[djcerla]

Amazon tells MacRumors it has "zero tolerance for the sale of counterfeits" on its website. "We work closely with manufacturers and brands, and pursue wrongdoers aggressively," it said.

ahahahahahaha

 

[bmot]

Update: Amazon tells MacRumors it has "zero tolerance for the sale of counterfeits" on its website. "We work closely with manufacturers and brands, and pursue wrongdoers aggressively," it said.

Wow Amazon, shame on you. You made proper money of those knockoffs, and now yeah yeah.. zero tolerance bullcrap.

I purchased two different fake Apple macbook chargers myself a few months ago before finally finding a genuine one.
Both amazon's and groupon's labeled original Apple Magsafe 2 chargers where knockoffs only to be differentiated by their weight and led behaviour from the original Apple product (unless you open them up).
Thats just disgusting.

I know how inferior those knockoffs are from experience. A few years ago i bought a used macbook and the guy threw a new Magsafe power adapter in for free, also branded and looking like the original. I used it exactly a second, after connecting it with the macbook a short circuit flashed between the cable and the macbook. The adapter was fried, gladly the macbook survived it with a black stain.

 

[Vege-Taco]

It seems like Apple should sue Amazon if Amazon is allowing these sellers to pretend that they're official Apple products.

You really should learn to read. Amazon is not at fault as they pulled the company's selling privileges as soon as the counterfeiting was made known to them.
[doublepost=1476976157][/doublepost]

Don't know what you're doing with your cables but I've had mine last for ages.

This. The only cable I've had go bad since 2008 are the couple of non-Apple cheapies I bought and the one Apple Lightning cable my wife uses. She's hard on electronics and wires.

 

[sdf]

When's Apple going to sue themselves for their poorly made cables? I haven't had a single iOS device cable last more then a year.

I got my first Lightning device in January 2013, I think. In that time I have had one Lightning cable fail: a third party one split from the circuit board on the Lightning side.

That original Apple-branded Lightning cable doesn't look in very good shape anymore, but it still works and is over 3.5 years old. I'm thinking of retiring it anyway, though. I have enough cables now that I can give up the only one that's not in perfect shape.

I'm not really praising Apple here, though. I think the Anker cables look like they're built better. I expect they'll last longer.

 

[MacATDBB]

I made the mistake of buying a 'genuine, new' MBP charger through Amazon, thinking originally that it was coming from Apple via Amazon. When I received it the magnetic head turned out to be always warm when connected to the wall socket (about 40C using a thermometer) even when not plugged into the laptop and it gave off an electrical tingle when you touched it. It also shipped wrapped in cheap brown wrapping paper inside the amazon box, no white apple boxes, nothing. So I reported it as faulty (current leak) and returned it... the vendor fulfilling the order defended that the article and packaging were genuine as they'd copied these from online photos of the item ... !

"This is original apple product and there is warranty provided for all products we sell, please ship it back for a replacement or refund which ever you prefer, and we packed it according to the photos showing on-line for this product, also we did pack it in proper way for safe delivery."

The refund process went fine, but there was no way I could find in the Amazon system to report that the vendor seemed to be shipping electrically questionable items ... all the links led you in circles to the FAQ and back to the automated question-answer search. No way to report this to a real person via email - so how do Amazon really know what's going on if no one can easily report problems.

 

[cnairn]

Apple has filed a lawsuit against Mobile Star LLC, accusing the firm of infringing upon its registered trademarks and copyrights by selling counterfeit 5W USB Power Adapters and Lightning to USB cables on Amazon and Groupon, according to court documents published electronically this week.

Apple said the counterfeit power products pose a significant danger to consumer safety because, among other things, they lack adequate insulation and/or have inadequate spacing between low voltage and high voltage circuits, creating risks of overheating, fire, and electrical shock.The legal complaint says the products, shipped and sold by Amazon through its Fulfilled by Amazon program, were listed as genuine Apple products, often using the company's copyrighted marketing images. Apple said Mobile Star's counterfeit products hurt its sales and damage its reputation.

Apple determined at least a portion of Mobile Star LLC's chargers and cables were counterfeit upon purchasing them as part of its routine efforts to combat the distribution and sale of knockoff products. It then alerted Amazon, which subsequently removed Mobile Star's selling privileges.

Takedown notices are standard procedure for Apple, which found that almost 90% of so-called genuine Apple products and accessories it purchased from Amazon over the last nine months were actually counterfeit.Apple went one step further and filed a lawsuit in this case because it said Mobile Star's distribution of counterfeit Apple products "brazenly continues" and extends beyond Amazon, including Groupon and direct sales. Mobile Star has also allegedly failed to cooperate with Apple upon being contacted.Apple is seeking damages of up to $150,000 for each registered copyright infringed, in addition to damages of up to $2 million per trademark infringed. Apple has demanded a jury trial in the case, titled Apple Inc. v. Mobile Star LLC, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Update: Amazon tells MacRumors it has "zero tolerance for the sale of counterfeits" on its website. "We work closely with manufacturers and brands, and pursue wrongdoers aggressively," it said.

Article Link: Apple Files $2M+ Lawsuit Against Counterfeiter, Finds 90% of 'Genuine' Accessories on Amazon Are Knockoffs

Why don't Amazon care?

This year I've bought 3 items from Amazon [a Nikon lens cap, a cooker thermometer and a child's play-pen] all supposedly genuine - but [if you can find the contact details!] all fakes. After time-consuming hassle Amazon gives you your money back and takes down the websites - but why don't Amazon do this from the off? I'd have thought their reputation would be of 100% importance to Amazon. But the truth is they don't seem to give a single sh*t. Why is this? From my experience, Amazon's claim to, "zero tolerance for the sale of counterfeits" is simply UNTRUE. Why? It seems so odd. UOTE="ArtOfWarfare, post: 23747548, member: 141718"]It seems like Apple should sue Amazon if Amazon is allowing these sellers to pretend that they're official Apple products.[/QUOTE]

entire website
[doublepost=1476996561][/doublepost]

How good are amazon basics cables? I've bought speaker cable and it's fine.

... and my iPhone charger is fine. [My DSLR camera-bag terrific]. But then Amazon falls apart COMPLETELY over its attitude to fraudulent fakes. I find this TOTALLY unbelievable. I can't understand what Amazon simply don't CARE. They say they do - but new fakes crop up on Amazon day after day after day after .....
[doublepost=1476996634][/doublepost]

It seems like Apple should sue Amazon if Amazon is allowing these sellers to pretend that they're official Apple products.

Of course they should - but they don't. They seem to encourage fakes" why?
[doublepost=1476996706][/doublepost]

Exactly. Amazon is packed full of fakes -- at least marketplace items. I never buy anything from the marketplace or from "sold by Xx, fulfilled by Amazon". It simply isn't worth the hassle.

But why doesn't Amazon STOP THIS?
[doublepost=1476996966][/doublepost]

Only if it can be proven that Amazon knew without a doubt that they were counterfeiters.

Otherwise, why blame Amazon? Just like every other online store, Amazon can be deceived and tricked by the thousands of 3rd party merchants it deals with. Exactly like so many violators of Apple Store policies end up "tricking" Apple, and Apple does not discover their deceit (e.g. falsified reviews) until years later.

Amazon being AMAZON should try a whole lot harder - currently they quietly don't seem to give a single sh*t. Why not - it's costing them their reputation?
[doublepost=1476997060][/doublepost]

It seems like Apple should sue Amazon if Amazon is allowing these sellers to pretend that they're official Apple products.

They should. So why don't they? Amazon is simply STUFFED with fake everything and they don't seem to give a single sh*t.

 

[ALow]

That Amazon is full of fakes maybe the best story yet to unfold. I suspected this all along but don't have time to prove it. Early this year i bought 3 relatively cheaper GE "motion detecting sensor" lighting from Amazon to save electricity bills. None of them ever worked as it promised for more than 3 days! Two did not work from day one. THis is supposed to be made by GE! (though in China! and maybe that's why). I suspected it was fake and wrote a comment on Amazon. The company never said anything. Months later, i couldn't find the same product on amazon. So what Amazon does is to keep it quiet when someone raises questions, do not comment on it and maybe quietly take it away. And it'll probably surface as another company on Amazon doing the same thing to others. Absolutely frustrating! Someone needs to file suit on Amazon! And in the meantime, folks are accusing Alibaba of selling fakes! While Amazon is doing the same thing (though on a smaller scale I assume). Who acts for the consumer? Who?