White iPhone Lawsuit: Apple Sues NY Teen Who sold White iPhone Kits
Remember that clever New York teenager who was selling the white iPhone kits online - before Apple released the white iPhone? He was hit with a white iPhone lawsuit by Apple.
Fei Lam, 17, got the idea to sell white iPhone conversion kids in 2010, using his own homemade website, whiteiphone4now.com (now defunct).
Lam sold white iPhone kits on his website from parts he obtained from a deal he made with Apple supplier Foxconn, reports Network World. The conversion kits ranged from $135 to $279, and netted Lam a cool $130,000 before his legal troubles began to brew.
First, Lam got a letter from a private investigator in November that said he was dealing stolen goods, reports the New York Observer. The investigator was likely hired by Apple.
Then, in December, he received a cease-and-desist letter from Apple, according to Apple Insider. Lam shut down his website shortly afterwards.
Apple recently filed an official lawsuit against Lam. They are alleging that Lam is guilty of trademark infringement, and is asking for damages and an injunction to stop him from selling anymore white iPhone kits, reports the International Business Times. Lam's parents were also listed on the lawsuit, saying that they aided and abetted their son in the illegal activity since he was a minor under their supervision, reports MacRumors.
Interestingly enough, Apple has already filed for a voluntary dismissal of the case, which has caused speculation that somehow the tech giant has settled with the Lam family. In its dismissal, Apple retained the right to re-file the lawsuit at a later date, reports Network World.
Part of Apple's case hinged on their allegation that Lam's actions "diluted" their trademark. After all, the kits had panels that had the Apple logo and iPhone trademarks on them, according to Apple Insider.
For now, the white iPhone lawsuit against Lam has been dismissed. One can only wonder if some deal was brokered between Apple and Lam, and if so, what the 17-year-old could have possibly given Apple in return for a dismissal.
Related Resources:
- Apple Files Lawsuit Against Teenager Who Sold White iPhone 4 Conversion Kits, Settlement Reached? (MacRumors)
- The iPad 2: Is it Right for Your Practice? (FindLaw's Technologist)
- iPhones as Evidence in Criminal Cases: What You Should Know (FindLaw's Strategist)