Apple sues Amazon supplier Mobile Star over fake iPhone chargers

Tech giant Apple has filed a federal lawsuit this week, accusing a former Amazon supplier - New York-based Mobile Star LLC - of trademark infringement. Apple has accused Mobile Star of selling fake iPhone chargers on the Amazon.com website.

Though Apple has not targeted Amazon in the trademark infringement lawsuit filed against Mobile Star, the online retail biggie has been put into bad light because of the complaint against its supplier.

According to Apple's complaint, the company purchased 12 iPhone chargers and cables from Amazon. The listing for the chargers and cables on Amazon claimed that the products - supplied by mobile Star - were 'genuine' Apple products. However, when the chargers and cables reached Apple, the company's engineers found that they were hazardous fakes which could pose a potential fire risk or electrocute users.

Apple elaborated in its complaint that it had carried out a nine-month operation as part of its ongoing brand protection efforts. During the operation, Apple bought more than 100 iPhone devices, Apple power products, and Lightning cables which were being sold as "genuine" by sellers on the Amazon website, and were shipped via Amazon's 'Fulfillment by Amazon' program.

With internal examination and testing at Apple having revealed that "almost 90% of these products are counterfeit," Apple's lawyers said in the complaint: "Despite Apple's efforts, fake Apple products continue to flood Amazon.com."