toggle

AAPL Stock: 493.42 ( + 0.25 )

Apple lawsuit targets knockoff iPod and iPad accessories

updated 04:50 pm EDT, Fri July 30, 2010

Company claims patent infringement


Apple has filed a lawsuit against a number of companies accused of producing unauthorized accessories for iPods and iPads. The company claims the knockoff products are violating its trademarks and infringing on a number of patents.

The complaint argues that many of the accessories are of "inferior quality and reliability," potentially causing compatibility issues or damage to devices.

Apple maintains its own licensing program, "Made for iPod," which requires prior approval to sell accessories. The company reportedly receives royalties ranging from 20 to 25 percent for any product sold through the licensing program, Kaufman Bros. analyst Shaw Wu told Bloomberg.

Apple has named seven accessory sellers as defendants in the suit, with up to 20 more companies expected to be added to the list as the case goes forward.


by MacNN Staff

print
email
(4)

TAGS :

 industry, lawsuits, Apple

Related Articles

Recent Articles

toggle

Comments

  1. FireWire

    Mac Elite

    Joined: Oct 1999

    +7
    07/30, 05:51pm | report spam | Reply |

    if

    if you make a product that works with iPod/Phone/Pad but you don't use the "Made for iPod" logo, can you sell it without paying anything to Apple?

  1. MyRightEye

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2008

    -4
    07/30, 06:06pm | report spam | Reply |

    Sorry for the jackass...

    That voted your comment down. And to answer your question, yes, you can.

  1. BDLatimer

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2005

    -1
    07/30, 06:17pm | report spam | Reply |

    But keep in mind

    …that if you are falsely using the "Made for iPod" logo in such a case, you are guilty of false advertising, trademark infringement, and potentially fraud - and are legally liable for significant penalties (hence the lawsuit).

    Apple has processes in place to verify the behavior of all products which get that certification; this effort is part of what the royalties pay for. Any company trying to ride on the coattails of those who genuinely pursue this certification without pursuing such certification, are con artists at best, and should be avoided.

  1. facebook_Timothy

    Via Facebook

    Joined: Aug 2010

    0
    08/01, 05:00am | report spam | Reply |

    But wouldn't you rather take the bull's word for i

    How's that line in Tommy Boy go? Do some research.

    OK, So I'm selling you a pound of nails, they cost a little more, but they are "Certified for Hammer"

    OK, So, I"m selling you this tire with new tread, they cost a little more, but they are, "Certified for Cars"

    Come on.

    If it's "Made for iPad/iPhone/iPod" and you don't want to pay a cut to "say that" then why can't you write,

    "Made for AN iPad" see the linguistic difference? or forget it, don't mark your product that way, just say "Made for PDA" or "made for a digital device" Trademark some other relevant quote, and associate with others unwilling to pay the AppleTax.

    I get it that there are knockoff with lesser quality, and depending on the products, they are veiled to look very close to genuine article. But a phone protection case is a phone protection case is a phone protection case. Why does the manufacturer of a phone case product have to pay 25 cents on the dollar to just tell the customer what they already know. This is the size and shape of my cell phone, it most likely will fit, and if not, depending on the storefront policy, I can return and exchange it for something that will, or get my money back.

    No fair Steve, you can't get all the software and hardware companies to pay you a cut! No Fair.

    Steve Jobs learn this

    God grant me the serenity,
    to accept businesses into the certified for Apple program
    accept the businesses unwilling to enter the certified for Apple program
    and the wisdom to know that, in most cases, there is no difference.

Login Here

Not a member of the MacNN forums? Register now for free.

 
close
Photo
toggle

Network Headlines

toggle

Most Popular

10 Most Read

Recent Reviews

Logitech Cube

The world of mice could often be described charitably as stagnant: it's an endless sea of ergonomic shapes that assume you're sitting ...

NewerTech and Targus USB Hubs For Gifts

A useful holiday present to resolve an ongoing frustration is a multi-port hub. Whether as a stocking stuffer, Chanukah present, or an ...

X-Rite ColorMunki Photo

Color calibration is the art of tweaking your monitor so that the colors represented on screen better match real life and your printer ...

toggle

Most Commented

10 Most Discussed

 

Popular News