HiPhone Seller 'Contacted' By Apple's Attorneys

It has been revealed that Apple is again going after iClone makers, this time taking some serious legal action against the manufacturer. Apple Europe's legal counsel, Bird & Bird has contacted the maker of a device called the HiPhone, which replicates Apple's handset to the highest level possible (going as far as mimicking the package too), threatening him with penalties of €25,000 per HiPhone sold.

The HiPhone knockoff was originally shown via Dragon Kicks earlier this year, while the seller advertised his HiPhone on eBay and through his online shop, according to Macnn. The knockoff sports pretty much the exact same hardware as Apple's iPhone, offering an almost identical user interface, the same touchscreen functionality (along with the gesture-based interface), similar icon styling and placement and, of course, the rest, all for only US$219 while the device itself is unlocked. The buyer doesn't need to apply to any contracts or rate plans, being able to just insert their existing SIM card to start using the device.

However, Apple's attorneys have put an end to this, asking the HiPhone maker to destroy all the iClones currently in his inventory "as well as provide a wealth of information related to the manufacturing, distribution, sales, and marketing of the HiPhone," the aforementioned source notes. Should the seller not comply, Apple's letter threatens penalties of €25,000 per HiPhone sold. Screenshots of the respective letter are available to the left (click on each one to enlarge).

In case you wanted to get one for yourself, here's what you missed out on:

HiPhone features, according to Dragon Kicks:

- 3.5" big screen that supports finger touch and no keypad, touch pen needed.
- Dual SIM slots that holds two SIM chips and supports SIM card switching.
- Triband GSM 900/1800/1900MHz that supports USA GSM standard.
- Web addresses entering; web browsing, WAP setting, web address management.
- Unlocked to any major network carrier.
- SMS, MMS, voicemail and cell broadcast.
- MP3, MP4, file playing, recording, phone call recording.
- Capturing, video capturing, photo viewing, playing.
- Hands free speaker phone. 3D sound.
- Bluetooth supported.
- TF card supported.
- Diversified screen switch.
- One-Key return.
- Automatic screen rotation.

Accessories include(ed) 2 batteries, Charger, USB Cable, Earphone, 512M T-Flash Card (or 2GB TF card for an extra 15 bucks) , User Manual, Phone Cover.

The HiPhone originally sold for $239. Think about it, the manufacturer actually had enough time to consider a price cut on its iClone. Why is Apple always taking so long to put its foot down when it comes to these things?

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