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Apple lawsuit could spell the end of cheap iPhone chargers on Amazon

Apple has sued a major Amazon supplier, claiming over 90 per cent of the accessories sold by Mobile Star are counterfeit.

Although the lawsuit is not against Amazon itself, the retail giant is implicated because it fulfills the orders on behalf of the supplier.

The case, spotted by Patently Apple this week, says: “Over the last nine months, Apple, as part of its ongoing brand protection efforts, has purchased well over 100 iPhone devices, Apple power products, and Lightning cables sold as genuine by sellers on Amazon.com and delivered through Amazon’s ‘Fulfillment by Amazon’ program.

“Apple’s internal examination and testing for these products revealed almost 90% of these products are counterfeit.”

Related: iPhone 7 review

Apple even cited Amazon reviews from customers whose chargers caught fire, in its legal filing.

These counterfeits have the potential to overheat, catch fire and deliver a deadly shock to consumers while in normal use,” Apple’s counsel wrote.

Amazon responded by claiming it had ‘zero tolerance’ for fake products on its site.

It told the BBC: “We work closely with manufacturers and brands and pursue wrongdoers aggressively.”

If Apple succeeds in getting these accessories removed from stores like Amazon, it stands to make more money from selling officially manufactured or  licensed cables.

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Have you had a bad experience with a cheapo charger? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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