Last week, Apple filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Media Solutions Holdings, a company that sells knock-off power adapters compatible with Apple products. It sells these knock-offs through several websites (Laptopsforless.com, Laptopacadapter.com, and Ereplacements.com). 
Take a look at Laptopsforless.coms’ Macbook power adapters, listed at prices of $37.95 or less, approximately half of what a typical Mac adapter costs.
According to an InformationWeek article, Apple is claiming that these products violate its Power Adapter Patent that it filed in 2003.
As far as I can see, Apple’s patent only really covers the design of the adapter. The official claim listed in the patent reads as follows: “We claim the ornamental design for a power adapter, substantially as shown and described.” And design-wise, I don’t see an oustanding resemblance between the adapters, besides the fact that they apparently both possess magnetic plugs. I would also argue that a magnetic plug is more of an idea/function feature of Apple adapters, rather than an actual element of design. However, I suppose it is a component of the adapter that is “innovative,” since most PC computer chargers don’t have that feature.
It’s interesting to see which battles Apple chooses to pick. Why haven’t they ever gone after Senuti (yes, that is iTunes backwards), the application that lets you upload your friend’s iPod music to your computer? I’m sure there are dozens of websites and companies that Apple could squeeze money out of. The InformationWeek article reports, “Of the 15 or so filed during the second half of 2009 that involve Apple, the company is the plaintiff only in this one case.” Perhaps this has to do with the fact that Media Solutions Holdings makes a direct profit off of Apple knockoffs, whereas things like Senuti are free and user-driven.
While I completely understand why Apple filed this infringement case, I wouldn’t want to see those knock-off adapters go off the market to be perfectly honest. I’ve had my Macbook for 3 years and have already gone through 3 power adapters because they all seem to “mysteriously” stop working. And let’s face it, the Apple Protection Plan only lasts for so long. $73 for a computer charger? We’re in a recession, Steve Jobs. Get with it.
The user-driven distinction is probably correct. Apple prides itself on making things that are cultural trend-setters, so to sue the very people that make that advertising scheme possible would undermine their business model. However, when it comes to their hardware, Apple insists on keeping everything in house. They don’t do the Microsoft deal and allow Toshiba, IBM, and Sony make Macbooks.
This case reminds me a lot of Blue Jeans Cable and Monster Cable a while back (link below). From the images it appears as though the adapter in question was pretty much a direct copy design-wise. Had they simply used the head and gone with a non-white, non-thin square design, there probably wouldn’t have been a case to be had here.
Blue Jeans: http://www.audioholics.com/news/industry-news/blue-jeans-strikes-back