Feds seize OnePlus Buds, boast they're 'counterfeit' AirPods

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in General Discussion edited September 2020
The US Customs and Border Protection agency claims to have intercepted 2,000 counterfeit Apple AirPods at JFK, except all the ones they show are clearly legitimate OnePlus Buds.

OnePlus Buds may resemble AirPods, but their packaging is clear
OnePlus Buds may resemble AirPods, but their packaging is clear


A shipment of AirPods and AirPods Pro rival, OnePlus Buds bound for Nevada has been intercepted at JFK by US Customs and Border Protection. Perhaps proving that Apple's designs inspire other companies, CBP seized these on the grounds that they were counterfeit AirPods.

THAT'S NOT AN --

CBP officers at JFK Airport recently seized 2,000 counterfeit Apple AirPods from Hong Kong, valued at $398K had they been genuine.

Details via @CBPNewYorkCity: https://t.co/XMgjkfT56i pic.twitter.com/Ofn9REJ9ZB

-- CBP (@CBP)


Tweeting about the seizure, CBP said "that's not an Apple," which is undeniably true. However, the agency also put out a press release boasting about its "vigilance," and including photographs of the haul. Every photo shown and captioned as being "counterfeit Apple AirPod Earbuds" is unmistakeably a OnePlus Bud instead.

Alongside the comment about "vigilance," the agency also said it had a "commitment to mission success." However, the goods were seized on August 31, the press release was issued on September 11, and the tweet was done on September 14, all seemingly without reading the name on the boxes.

US Customs and Border Protection has not commented since the mistake was pointed out. OnePlus, however, has, in a tweeted reply to the announcement, saying "Hey, give those back!"

Hey, give those back!

— OnePlus USA (@OnePlus_USA)

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 18
    indiekidukindiekiduk Posts: 381member
    Apple have won patents on their design in both USA and Hong Kong that these clearly violate. I'm not sure if that makes them "counterfeit" but it certainly makes them illegal and seizable. 
    watto_cobramikeybabesBeats
  • Reply 2 of 18
    CloudTalkinCloudTalkin Posts: 916member
    Hahahahahahahahahahaha!  CBP putting incompetence on display for all the world to see.  Sweet Jeebus.
    williamlondonmuthuk_vanalingamronn
  • Reply 3 of 18
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 7,696member
    Standard practice in Spain is for the supposed original manufacturer to confirm that products being considered for seizure are in fact counterfeit before the shipment is formally seized. 

    In this case it wasn't even necessary as the packaging makes it clear from the get go. 

    Someone (more than one, unfortunately) hasn't been paying attention to what is one the box and acted in an over zealous manner.

    Now they have egg on their collective faces. 
    muthuk_vanalingamronn
  • Reply 4 of 18
    CloudTalkinCloudTalkin Posts: 916member
    Apple have won patents on their design in both USA and Hong Kong that these clearly violate. I'm not sure if that makes them "counterfeit" but it certainly makes them illegal and seizable. 
    Well, that's 100% wrong.  Patent violations have to be adjudicated in a court of law.  Patent violations are also immaterial in this situation.  The claim is counterfeiting... intentionally trying to misrepresent one item for another.  Clearly, 1+ was not doing that.  The CBP just made themselves look incompetent.  A simple google search by anyone in the chain of command could have avoided this.  

    They are being rightfully and properly roasted on twitter.
    edited September 2020 dysamoriawilliamlondonllamamuthuk_vanalingamronn
  • Reply 5 of 18
    polymniapolymnia Posts: 1,080member
    CPB is the outfit of goons that has been deployed to put down social unrest in the US, right? They haven’t exactly distinguished themselves in that role either.
    Oferronn
  • Reply 6 of 18
    MplsPMplsP Posts: 3,931member
    Yeah - just how are they trying to be counterfeits if the packaging is marking them as another brand? These are no more counterfeit than a Samsung phone is an iPhone counterfeit. Furthermore, if these are counterfeit, then there's about 100 other knockoffs that should be seized as well.
    muthuk_vanalingamwatto_cobraronn
  • Reply 7 of 18
    dewmedewme Posts: 5,373member
    Not even a “participation” trophy for the CBP on this one - and they wanted one so badly, but it’s a total whiff. Better luck next time. We all make mistakes, no big deal.

    No sprinkles for you.
    edited September 2020 CloudTalkinmuthuk_vanalingamwatto_cobrakurai_kageronn
  • Reply 8 of 18
    iadlibiadlib Posts: 95member
    No one:

    US Customs and Border Protection agency: the border is safe. We did good. Where head pats?
    watto_cobraOferkurai_kageronn
  • Reply 9 of 18
    KuyangkohKuyangkoh Posts: 838member
    The problem w these Chinese knock offs are making exactly looks alike physically....just take a look at it. Charger and box might not look alike but the buds are.....
    watto_cobraBeats
  • Reply 10 of 18
    CloudTalkinCloudTalkin Posts: 916member
    Kuyangkoh said:
    The problem w these Chinese knock offs are making exactly looks alike physically....just take a look at it. Charger and box might not look alike but the buds are.....
    Uh, I'm not sure you know what the word "exactly" means.  I say that because I doubt anyone would confuse these Buds with AirPods.  Yes they look similar. Similar being the operative word.  They are distinctive enough apart where layman can easily tell the difference.  For an agency who's job it is to know the differences, there is no excuse.  A quick 30 second search could have avoided this idiocy.  Regardless of how they look, there's absolutely no evidence of counterfeiting since they aren't represented as AirPods.
    OnePlus Buds truly wireless earphones launched at Rs 4990 in India specifications and availability Digit
    OnePlus Buds Amazonin Electronics
    edited September 2020 muthuk_vanalingamOferronn
  • Reply 11 of 18
    chadbagchadbag Posts: 2,000member
    polymnia said:
    CPB is the outfit of goons that has been deployed to put down social unrest in the US, right? They haven’t exactly distinguished themselves in that role either.
    No. They are not the ones deloyed to put down social unrest.  CBP are "Customs and Border Protection". They inspect incoming goods, charge tariffs, etc.  They also man border crossing points to check your passports and visas.   And they also run border patrols where those who enter illegally tend to hang out I think.  

    Riots and vandalism are usually handled by local and state law enforcement.  Except when federal property is involved or federal crimes are being committed, in which case federal law enforcement agencies can get involved, but that is not usually CBP. 
    edited September 2020
  • Reply 12 of 18
    Rayz2016Rayz2016 Posts: 6,957member
    Common sense should’ve told them that if they were counterfeit then they’d be in fake Apple packaging. 

    CloudTalkinmuthuk_vanalingamdewmeOferronn
  • Reply 13 of 18
    lordjohnwhorfinlordjohnwhorfin Posts: 851member
    Mind boggling. There are very close counterfeit models of the AirPods and AirPods Pro, these clearly are not. The earbuds and case are markedly different. So while they’re crowing about this “accomplishment” representing not even $50k worth of merchandise, tens of millions of actual counterfeit products are being sold on Amazon, ebay and Alibaba. 
    Oferronn
  • Reply 14 of 18
    tzeshantzeshan Posts: 2,351member
    Apple is reluctant to sue Chinese counterfeit companies fearing retaliation by Chinese consumers. 
  • Reply 15 of 18
    CloudTalkinCloudTalkin Posts: 916member
    Breaking news:  The CBP has just announced another major counterfeiting seizure.  10,000 pairs of fake Nike shoes, headed for malls across America, were stopped at the border. "The CBP has saved the American citizens from the scourge of counterfeit products", CBP spokesman Cleetus said, "They couldn't fool us with them Ad Id As boxes. We assume they were gonna put the swooshes on later."  {puts wad of Skoal between cheek and gums}
    Counterfeit products pictured below:
    Womens Superstar Cloud White and Core Black Shoes adidas US
  • Reply 16 of 18
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Yes, they are counterfeits. Seize them. Burn them.
    Beats
  • Reply 17 of 18
    kurai_kagekurai_kage Posts: 105member
    chadbag said:
    polymnia said:
    CPB is the outfit of goons that has been deployed to put down social unrest in the US, right? They haven’t exactly distinguished themselves in that role either.
    No. They are not the ones deloyed to put down social unrest.  CBP are "Customs and Border Protection". They inspect incoming goods, charge tariffs, etc.  They also man border crossing points to check your passports and visas.   And they also run border patrols where those who enter illegally tend to hang out I think.  

    Riots and vandalism are usually handled by local and state law enforcement.  Except when federal property is involved or federal crimes are being committed, in which case federal law enforcement agencies can get involved, but that is not usually CBP. 
    Actually...
    https://www.npr.org/2020/07/23/894712004/border-patrol-response-to-portland-unrest-straying-from-mission-or-continuing-on

    Chad's comments are apt, they have indeed been used as a goon squad against their core mission. 
    ronn
  • Reply 18 of 18
    tzeshantzeshan Posts: 2,351member
    CloudTalkin said:
    Breaking news:  The CBP has just announced another major counterfeiting seizure.  10,000 pairs of fake Nike shoes, headed for malls across America, were stopped at the border. "The CBP has saved the American citizens from the scourge of counterfeit products", CBP spokesman Cleetus said, "They couldn't fool us with them Ad Id As boxes. We assume they were gonna put the swooshes on later."  {puts wad of Skoal between cheek and gums}
    Counterfeit products pictured below:
    Womens Superstar Cloud White and Core Black Shoes adidas US
    But, but, but... Google Android OS is also a fake iOS OS. 
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