Apple Sues Accessory Makers for Selling Fake Products on Amazon, Groupon

Claiming that genuine Apple accessories like Lightning-to-USB cables and USB power adapters sold on Amazon and Groupon are 90 percent fake, the Cupertino-based tech giant has filed a lawsuit against US-based Mobile Star LLC, accusing it of selling counterfeit accessories online.

"Almost nine out of 10 Apple-branded products the iPhone maker bought on Amazon were fakes," according to the trademark infringement case reported by Patently Apple on Thursday.

Apple seeks up to $150,000 per copyright violation and $2 million (roughly Rs. 13 crores) per trademark infringement, believing that these counterfeit products could lead to fires and are, therefore, a risk to the public.

"Consumers, relying on Amazon.com's reputation, have no reason to suspect the power products they purchased from Amazon.com are anything but genuine. Consumers are likewise unaware that the counterfeit Apple products that Amazon.com sourced from Mobile Star have not been safety certified or properly constructed... and pose a significant risk of overheating, fire, and electrical shock," the lawsuit read.

The suit targets 5 Watt USB power adapters and Lightning-to-USB cables sold by Mobile Star, according to court documents from the US District Court for the Northern District of California, highlighted by Patently Apple.

"Apple purchased the power products from Amazon.com and determined that they were counterfeit. Apple was informed by Amazon.com, and upon that basis believes that Mobile Star was the source of those particular counterfeit power products purchased by Apple," the lawsuit further read.

Reacting to this, Amazon told AppleInsider in a statement: "Amazon has zero tolerance for the sale of counterfeits on our site. We work closely with manufacturers and brands, and pursue wrongdoers aggressively."