Apple Looking to Knock Out NYC Knockoffs

Turns out Hong Kong isn’t the only city with a thriving trade in counterfeit Apple goods. New York City has one, too. And Apple isn’t at all happy about it.

The company has filed a pair of trademark infringement lawsuits against two stores in Queens, alleging they’re peddling unauthorized iOS device accessories, Reuters reports. According to the suits, the two stores, Apple Story and Fun Zone, have been selling knockoff iPod, iPhone and iPad cases, and iPhone stereo headsets emblazoned with the Apple logo and the company’s imprint: “Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China.”

“Defendants are trading on and receiving the benefit of the goodwill Apple has established in the Apple trademarks through considerable labor and expense over many years,” Apple said in its complaint. The company is seeking for one court to destroy any remaining counterfeit products and another to force Apple Story to change its name to eliminate confusion with true Apple retail stores. It’s also seeking a list of the stores’ suppliers, presumably as part of a larger crusade against counterfeiters.

[Image credit: BirdAbroad]