At a time when multiple fake Apple stores have been uncovered in China, Apple turned its attention on retail stores in the Chinatown section of Queens, New York, that sell cases and other accessories for Apple products like the iPhone, iPod and iPad, with a trademark lawsuit.
The Cupertino-based firm has won a provisional restraining order and preliminary injunction against the retail stores, which, as per the company's lawsuit, have infringed Apple's trademark.
The court case, which was filed in Brooklyn federal court on July 25, aimed at two stores Apple Story Inc and Fun Zone Inc, along with a number of unnamed businesses and 50 "John Does," Reuters reported.
Apple's request for a temporary restraining order was granted by U.S. District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto on July 25. Matsumoto also passed a seizure order, along with a request for a preliminary injunction against the defendants, according to the court docket.
The case was made public on August 2. However, the documents still remained undisclosed.
The attorneys of both Apple and the defendants have refused to comment, while an employee at Apple Story said the company would not confer the case.
The lawsuit comes at a time when multiple fake Apple stores have been uncovered in China. According to reports, even the staff members at the phony Apple stores were made convinced that they were working for Apple.
Later, four other stores were discovered that were reportedly selling Apple products without authorization from the company. Apple, however, has not disclosed anything regarding its plans about the fake stores.
A photo of the "Apple Story" store shows accessories for Apple products.Greg Autry via BirdAbroadCustomers and employees are seen from the exterior of a fake Apple Store in Kunming, Yunnan province July 22, 2011. The fake Apple store in China, made famous by a blog that said even the staff working there didn't realise it was a bogus outlet, is probably the most audacious example to date of the risks Western companies face in the booming Chinese market. The less-publicised phenomenon of unauthorised vendors setting up shop to peddle real products has grown alongside China's manufacturing prowess. Many of the factories that produce brand-name goods on contract have been known to do extra runs of the goods to make extra cash, analysts say.REUTERS/Aly SongAn employee stands inside a fake Apple Store in Kunming, Yunnan province July 22, 2011. The fake Apple store in China, made famous by a blog that said even the staff working there didn't realise it was a bogus outlet, is probably the most audacious example to date of the risks Western companies face in the booming Chinese market. The less-publicised phenomenon of unauthorised vendors setting up shop to peddle real products has grown alongside China's manufacturing prowess. Many of the factories that produce brand-name goods on contract have been known to do extra runs of the goods to make extra cash, analysts say.REUTERS/Aly SongEmployees look at a new iPad 2, purchased by a customer inside a fake Apple Store in Kunming, Yunnan province July 22, 2011. The fake Apple store in China, made famous by a blog that said even the staff working there didn't realise it was a bogus outlet, is probably the most audacious example to date of the risks Western companies face in the booming Chinese market. The less-publicised phenomenon of unauthorised vendors setting up shop to peddle real products has grown alongside China's manufacturing prowess. Many of the factories that produce brand-name goods on contract have been known to do extra runs of the goods to make extra cash, analysts say.REUTERS/Aly SongCustomers test out electronic products in a fake Apple Store in Kunming, Yunnan province July 22, 2011. The fake Apple store in China, made famous by a blog that said even the staff working there didn't realise it was a bogus outlet, is probably the most audacious example to date of the risks Western companies face in the booming Chinese market. The less-publicised phenomenon of unauthorised vendors setting up shop to peddle real products has grown alongside China's manufacturing prowess. Many of the factories that produce brand-name goods on contract have been known to do extra runs of the goods to make extra cash, analysts say.REUTERS/Aly SongCustomers walk past products in a fake Apple Store in Kunming, Yunnan province July 22, 2011. The fake Apple store in China, made famous by a blog that said even the staff working there didn't realise it was a bogus outlet, is probably the most audacious example to date of the risks Western companies face in the booming Chinese market. The less-publicised phenomenon of unauthorised vendors setting up shop to peddle real products has grown alongside China's manufacturing prowess. Many of the factories that produce brand-name goods on contract have been known to do extra runs of the goods to make extra cash, analysts say.REUTERS/Aly SongA boy plays with an iPhone 4 display set inside a fake Apple Store in Kunming, Yunnan province July 22, 2011. The fake Apple store in China, made famous by a blog that said even the staff working there didn't realise it was a bogus outlet, is probably the most audacious example to date of the risks Western companies face in the booming Chinese market. The less-publicised phenomenon of unauthorised vendors setting up shop to peddle real products has grown alongside China's manufacturing prowess. Many of the factories that produce brand-name goods on contract have been known to do extra runs of the goods to make extra cash, analysts say.REUTERS/Aly Song
