In an ongoing battle against trademark infringement, Apple has filed a lawsuit against two sellers of knockoff Apple accessories based in the New York City neighborhood of Flushing, Queens, according to documents unsealed Thursday in Brooklyn federal court.
The defendants — Apple Story and Fun Zone, both owned by New York resident Janie Po Chiang — are accused of selling unauthorized iPod, iPhone and iPad accessories branded with the company’s iconic logo and signature markings and phrases found on genuine Apple products, including “Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China.”
Apple is also asking that Apple Story be ordered to change its name to minimize confusion of brands among consumers.
Apple reported having sent representatives to the two counterfeit hawkers in question, where they bought an assortment of unauthorized accessories, including stereo headsets designed for use with the iPhone that came in packaging that was “nearly an exact duplicate” to the original packaging.
The case was filed on July 25, but was not made public until Thursday, due to a U.S. trademark counterfeiting law that enables a company to initially file a trademark infringement complaint under seal, so as not to tip off accused perpetrators before goods have been seized.
At Apple’s request for a preliminary injunction, U.S. District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto has ordered both stores to stop selling counterfeit goods. He has not yet issued an order on whether Apple Story must change its name.
Above all of its other requests, the most important for Apple’s mission to stamp out knockoffs may be its request to receive a complete lists of individuals and businesses who have purchased or sold counterfeit goods. The company has been granted access to the defendants’ business email accounts, where evidence of such business deals may be found.
This case comes at a pivotal time for Apple, having recently passed Exxon to become the most valuable company in the world and having also passed Lenovo in greater China sales.
As if counterfeit goods weren’t enough to handle, Apple has also been battling for the shutdown of fake Apple stores in China, one of its most promising markets.
[via: Reuters]
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Posted on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 08:18:05 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/uBNk13tAH74/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/19/apple-new-york/#comments
The defendants — Apple Story and Fun Zone, both owned by New York resident Janie Po Chiang — are accused of selling unauthorized iPod, iPhone and iPad accessories branded with the company’s iconic logo and signature markings and phrases found on genuine Apple products, including “Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China.”
Apple is also asking that Apple Story be ordered to change its name to minimize confusion of brands among consumers.
Apple reported having sent representatives to the two counterfeit hawkers in question, where they bought an assortment of unauthorized accessories, including stereo headsets designed for use with the iPhone that came in packaging that was “nearly an exact duplicate” to the original packaging.
The case was filed on July 25, but was not made public until Thursday, due to a U.S. trademark counterfeiting law that enables a company to initially file a trademark infringement complaint under seal, so as not to tip off accused perpetrators before goods have been seized.
At Apple’s request for a preliminary injunction, U.S. District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto has ordered both stores to stop selling counterfeit goods. He has not yet issued an order on whether Apple Story must change its name.
Above all of its other requests, the most important for Apple’s mission to stamp out knockoffs may be its request to receive a complete lists of individuals and businesses who have purchased or sold counterfeit goods. The company has been granted access to the defendants’ business email accounts, where evidence of such business deals may be found.
This case comes at a pivotal time for Apple, having recently passed Exxon to become the most valuable company in the world and having also passed Lenovo in greater China sales.
As if counterfeit goods weren’t enough to handle, Apple has also been battling for the shutdown of fake Apple stores in China, one of its most promising markets.
[via: Reuters]
More About: apple, fake, lawsuitFor more Tech & Gadgets coverage:Follow Mashable Tech & Gadgets on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Tech & Gadgets channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 08:18:05 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/uBNk13tAH74/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/19/apple-new-york/#comments