Apple Can't Stand iClones Anymore

Apple has had just about enough with "iCloners", sources on the Internet reveal. Whether Psystar has anything to do with it or not, Apple is no longer sitting with its arms crossed watching as the Chinese (and not only) sell pathetic copies of its iPhone, iPod and other Apple products. One company even shares its sad story of having to hand over all remaining iClones products to Apple’s legal team.

"Apple's legal teams are closing down unauthorized manufacturers of iPhone clones, applying the full extent of the company's legal protections to protect its market," the 9 to 5 Mac website is reporting. Reportedly, the Cupertino-based corporation is demanding a cease in manufacturing and distribution of products that strikingly resemble Apple's from all such companies. Apple is putting pressure on them to also hand over any stock in hand, offer supplier details, and contribute to legal expenses, as well as damages.

Some may say "Wow! Apple is making a big fuss about this. Not that it doesn't have the right to, but does it really hope iCloners are going to obey all these conditions?" Well, yes, it actually does, and they succeeded too, at least with one unlicensed iCloner that has even complained that Apple's actions have sent them into bankruptcy.

Apple's legal action against Digital Playworld sounds a little bit like this: "I had to take several undertakings," the company's Simon Rimmer said, "which included amongst other things: Remove all said items from my site (or any other sites) and stop selling them." The out-of-court deal, intended to avoid an expensive court case, also had Rimmer signing "an oath that I would not offer to sell, market, import or stock any products which are strikingly similar in design to Apple’s registered designs. Deliver to Apple’s legal team all remaining products in my possession, suppliers details, prices paid for them, numbers imported, marketed and sold."

Sources also point out that Rimmer also had to contribute to Apple's legal expenses and damages.

MORE RELATED ARTICLES: Apple Seeds Mac OS X 10.5.3 Build 9D23 to Developers Apple Retail Store Grand Opening in Fair Oaks, Virginia They Knew About the Safari Exploit Long Before PWN 2 OWN 2008 New Firmware Available for Your MacBook Pro 1Password Updated for Camino 1.6 Users Mac Clone Maker Is Back in Business Next-Gen iPhone Will Be 'Radically Different' Mac Clone Maker Digs its Own Hole