PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

Apple Sues Over Fake Accessories

Apple says Mobile Star LLC sold counterfeit power products through Amazon.com.

 & Stephanie Mlot Contributor

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

Our Expert
LOOK INSIDE PC LABS HOW WE TEST
65 EXPERTS
43 YEARS
41,500+ REVIEWS

Apple has sued Mobile Star LLC for trademark infringement, claiming the company sold counterfeit power products through Amazon.com.

As reported by PCMag sister site IGN, Apple purchased a number of Apple-branded accessories on Amazon—power adapters, charging/syncing cables—over a nine-month period, and found that 90 of 100 were fakes.

"[They] pose an immediate threat to consumer safety because, unlike genuine Apple products, they are not subjected to industry-standard consumer safety testing and are poorly constructed with inferior or missing components, flawed design, and inadequate electrical insulation.

"These counterfeits have the potential to overheat, catch fire, and deliver a deadly electric shock to consumers while in normal use," according to the lawsuit, which was published in part by Patently Apple.

Cupertino's four claims for relief cover trademark counterfeiting and infringement, false designation of origin, copyright infringement, and unfair competition. The company is requesting compensation up to $150,000 for each registered copyright infringementt and up to $2 million per counterfeit mark per type of goods sold, among other damages.

"The safety of Apple's customers is of paramount importance to Apple, and Apple devotes significant resources to ensuring its power products meet industry safety standards and are subjected to rigorous testing for safety and reliability," the filing said.

Cupertino also alleged that Mobile Star supplied Groupon with "dangerous counterfeit" accessories, as well.

Apple, Amazon, and Groupon did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.

Earlier this year, Amazon promised to crack down on sales of shoddy USB-C cables. That came after Google engineer Benson Leung took it upon himself to review USB-C cables found on Amazon, many of which he considered shoddy or dangerous.

About Our Expert

Stephanie Mlot

Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

My Experience

  • B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
  • Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)
  • Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

My Areas of Expertise

  • Science & Space
  • Video Streaming Services
  • Social Media
  • Cars & Auto
  • Education

The Tech I Use

  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • MacBook Air (hooked up to a 23-inch Dell monitor)
  • Google Chrome
  • Google Drive
  • Soundcore Life P3 earbuds
  • Various Amazon Echo devices

Read full bio