Apple loses case against Norwegian iPhone repair shop over importing screens

Apple has lost a lawsuit against an iPhone repair shop in Norway over the use of aftermarket screens. The store imported refurbished screens with crossed out Apple logos and used them in repairs.

Because the refurbished screens with a visible Apple logo came from Asia, importing them in principle constitutes an infringement of European trademark law, the Norwegian court has found, but because the logo is not visible to consumers, the repair shop has not infringed Apple’s trademark law. . Motherboard writes that based on the Norwegian pronunciation.

The store, PCKompaniet, imported 67 iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S screens through a Hong Kong merchant, who advertised them as “refurbished screens manufactured by a third party.” The exact origin is not clear. The screens had Apple logos on them, but these had been scratched out with a marker. For this reason, the batch was picked up by customs, who then warned Apple.

Apple tried to settle the matter with PCKompaniet. If the store handed over all its documentation about the purchase of the screens and paid 27,000 Norwegian kroner, or 2,900 euros, there would be no charges for infringement of Apple’s trademark law. The store decided to let it come to a case.

PCKompaniet defended itself in the case, claiming that the logos were scratched through because it was not relevant to market the products as Apple products. “PCKompaniet has not removed the Apple logo overlay on the imported screens, nor does it benefit from doing so. PCKompaniet does not represent itself as an authorized Apple retailer and does not give the impression that the Apple warranty repair coming,” the defense said.