Apple sues kid who sold white iPhone 4 conversion kits, seeks return of profits
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It should be noted that Apple has simultaneously filed a dismissal of the lawsuit against Lam, which removes the charges against the youngster. This might indicate that the company has reached a settlement of the case with the family. In the suit, Apple claims that the defendant knew that Apple had not authorized the sale of white iPhone 4 panels and that he had obtained them from sources that were not authorized by Apple or its suppliers, to sell them. Of course, if you want a white Apple iPhone 4, it is now available from Apple or authorized retailers.
source: RedmondPie
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The 17 year old behind this now defunct web site, was sued by Apple |
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57 Comments
1. skymitch89 posted on 27 May 2011, 12:35 7 5
That's just BS! Apple should be going after they company(ies) that sold the teen the conversions kits. I also think that Apple should put out a bulletin that if there is anyone who has he conversion kits on their phone, then their warranty is void and so is any kind of insurance that they might have.
12. jogutier posted on 27 May 2011, 14:05 4 4
Apple gets mad when someone steals their thunder. LOL! That's what they get for always having money on their mind. haha
update: I know this was a copyright infraction, but the kid stills get a high 5 from me.
36. Lucas777 posted on 27 May 2011, 17:51 6 5
i believe a foxconn worker took them and sold them to him.. but really, what did he expect when he stole apples copyright... and apple is being prety gracious about it-- they dropped the charges and said as long as he didnt do it anymore, they wud not pursue it... and for anyone who says apple shudnt do anything, that is so stupid... if they do nothing everyone will do this and it will be uncontrollable...
73. greggg (unregistered) posted on 31 May 2011, 12:02 0 0
Everything I have is from apple but come on, you look stupid defending them considering they were actually going to go through with it. And they can't really sue considering once you buy your iphone, its yours to do whatever with.
63. G-reg (unregistered) posted on 28 May 2011, 14:46 4 2
Apple attacks the little guy to keep other little guys from trying stuff.
2. Hallucinator posted on 27 May 2011, 12:45 8 7
The parts also contained the apple logo. That is where the kid screwed up. Apple has every right to do this.
56. Chakra posted on 28 May 2011, 09:30 2 1
The world if full of fake branded stuff, even Apple. You don't see them going to the "electronic" stores in New York, and suing them... LOL
3. StephenPeeGobs (unregistered) posted on 27 May 2011, 13:01 10 6
Sueing a minor? Really? Bad move Apple. That's probably why they removed the suit. Ooops. They make so much money anway. Give the kid a break. he was inventive! Go go go. Down with A$$le. all you isheep will make up for all the revenue this kid makes. He probably owns an superior andriod phone anyway.
4. Hallucinator posted on 27 May 2011, 13:07 8 7
Yes because minors should be allowed to do what ever they want. Grow the f up. If you break the law, regardless of your age you have to be held accountable.
6. The_Miz posted on 27 May 2011, 13:10 9 7
How the hell is it a bad movie? He sold stolen parts for th iPhone 4 plus he broke numerous copyright laws. They have every right to sue especially since he had Apple's logo on them.
17. Deck (unregistered) posted on 27 May 2011, 14:55 5 5
I don't see anywhere in this story that Lam "stole" these parts. It says he obtained them from a middle man. The question is how did Alan Yang get them from or out of Foxconn in the first place. Why is it this kids fault that Foxconn let the product out the door? Maybe instead of suing everyone under the sun they Apple should invent some cash in better security at their factories.
30. The_Miz posted on 27 May 2011, 16:37 1 4
aka he "stole" them
31. remixfa posted on 27 May 2011, 16:43 5 1
He bought them from someone who got them from foxconn either through a secret channel, a misplaced delivery, or theft.
While he did take good advantage of an opportunity, he did also violate private property laws and copywrite laws and is subject to punishment for it.
I hate apple, but everyone should still play fair.
47. The_Miz posted on 27 May 2011, 22:57 1 1
if the company stole them, then he is also in the wrong as well since receiving stolen property is a crime
41. cheetah2k posted on 27 May 2011, 20:28 4 1
Were the parts really stolen? or were they merely thrown away when Apple realised there was a problem with the glass pigmentation??
If Apple are going to penalise a Minor for selling these parts because of them bearing the Apple logo, then Apple should follow through and sue every single manufacturer out there that is also using the logo - eg, all the hard cases out there with the cut-out logo, etc...
32. DUH (unregistered) posted on 27 May 2011, 16:57 1 2
Apple has the right to sue, I am interested in whether Apple will sue the company and or the individual who "obtained" the goods in question. That's where they should focus there time. Use smart tactics, start with the kid work they way up and nip it in the bud, instead they are gonna waste court time and tax payer money to make an example out of a minor in order to deter future individuals from doing such business but what will stop the people who have access from doing what Alan Yang did? My guess nothing cause that company and others like it are business partners and they wont burn a bridge like that over integrity.
5. ap (unregistered) posted on 27 May 2011, 13:09 4 4
well i don't know if what he did is right or wrong but he is probably a minor who wanted to make some cash (who doesn't??) and it took him what, like a month to figure out a way to make iPhones white, something that took apple approx. a year to create....so "bravo" on the lawsuit!
7. TKFox007 posted on 27 May 2011, 13:13 1 6
Really? Suing a 17 year old? What's with all these companies suing these young people? Sony vs Geohot and not Apple vs this guy?
There should be a law that prevents these huge companies from suing people who are of a certain age.
57. Chakra posted on 28 May 2011, 09:31 1 1
Apple is just playing a bully. Isn't the current PC-ness America cause against bullying nowadays.
69. PW (unregistered) posted on 29 May 2011, 13:35 0 0
So what you're saying is you want a double standard? We charge minors all the time for murder in the US. Let's chnge the standard and let a minor murder someone in your family and all the get is a little slap on the write. All of you are who pissed at Apple for filing suit are ridiculous. Even if the profit the kid generated with minute to the profit margins of Apple it is profit none the less gained by using stolen parts that Apple had to pay Foxconn to produce. So not only is Apple losing profit on the retro kit they are losing the money they had to invest to produce the panels this kid sold. No one is above the law well except the US Congress who pass laws exempting themselves from the laws average Joe has to follow but that is another story.
