Chinese data cable maker sues Apple for ‘unfair competition’
A Shenzhen-based electronics parts maker has filed a lawsuit against Apple, claiming that a mandatory certification programme from the Cupertino, California-based technology giant is a form of “unfair competition” in the data cable market.
Pisen, known for its electronics accessories like data cables, power plugs and power banks, said on its official Weibo account that the Beijing Intellectual Property Court has already accepted the lawsuit.
The Shenzhen-based company is demanding that Apple stop its “unfair” trade practices and is seeking 1 yuan as nominal compensation for economic losses.
Pisen said Apple’s MFi mandatory certification does not make products safer, but has damaged fair competition in China’s electronic components market, according to a statement.
Apple’s MFi programme, short for “made for iPod/iPhone/iPad”, is a profitable business for the US tech giant which charges high fees to certify that third-party electronic accessories will work with its products.
Damages to Apple products arising from the use of uncertified cables are not covered by the US company’s after-sale policies.
