Apple Sues Teenager Who Sold Steve Wozniak His White iPhone [Lawsuit Briefly Appears Over Teen's White iPhone Conversion Kit Business, Was Apparently Withdrawn Shortly After]

Posted on TFTS by Steve Anderson on Thursday, 26. May 2011 under: Mobile/Cell Phones

Remember when our own Kevin Schram brought you that story back in December about how Steve Wozniak bought a white iPhone from a kid in Queens named Fai Lam? Well, Apple did not take too kindly to his activities and launched a lawsuit just yesterday suing him over “deceptive practices”. But there’s a twist to this story: according to reports, the suit was withdrawn shortly after filing.

Basically, if you’ll remember, Fai Lam picked up some white-colored iPhone parts from someone out at the Foxconn factory out in Shenzhen, China, where many of the parts are actually made. Lam in turn sold those parts as “conversion kits” for $295 apiece (he’d sell the front or back panel individually for less, though), and that leads us up to today, where Apple’s filed and then shut down a lawsuit.

But it wasn’t just Fai Lam who was the target of said lawsuit–his parents were also named as defendants, as apparently, Lam was a minor at the time (earlier reports peg him at 17, which would qualify)–which Apple claimed damaged its relationships with customers by making them think that Apple had finally actually released a white iPhone, when Apple hadn’t actually authorized anyone to do so.

And stranger still, reports suggest that Apple filed a voluntary dismissal of its lawsuit at about the same time, leading some to suggest that a settlement has already been reached.

I’d say this would be a good thing for all involved; considering that Apple got its lunch eaten by some kid in Queens who saw a demand and set out to fill it, and all Apple can do in response is call in the lawyers, it doesn’t exactly make Apple look quite like forward-thinking visionaries.

So what do you think about this one? Think Apple should have left the kid alone, who was just doing the job that Apple wouldn’t? Or was the kid over the line, selling things that didn’t really belong to him? There’s room for all opinions down in the comments section, so head on down and tell us what you think here!

Hin
It’s my iPhone and I can do whatever I damn well pleased. When Apple gives me the iPhone, we can discuss what I can and cannot do with my phone.
http://nexus404.com/Blog Steve Andersen
Well, not really, Hin…the iPhone is yours, sure, because you bought it. But the white gear wasn’t available from Apple, and so you’ve got the Apple logo and trademarks and such. I’m not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, but I know enough to say that it’s really, really complicated.
Roger D
So does that mean I can’t paint my Ford/Chev/Dodge a different colour than when I bought it? What law is there that my phone (or anything else I own) needs to stay a certain colour?
Sheldon Irving
If apple wants everyone to have a black iPhone, then they will do their best to do that.
Apple is a bully.
They like to try to control their product the best they can. Kind of like the one button mouse thing all over again.
This is a company that wants to make all the $$$, and resellers can only make a few bucks on a $1000+ laptop. Like I said they want to be in control of ev erything, even the money.
For all those people that think Microsoft is eveil, then think again.
Apple iPhone4 has always been found to spy on us, tracking all GSP and wifi location info. (This was found out by an hacker), and this was never told to anyone.