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Apple sues resellers over power adapters

Three companies that sell power adapters that Apple believes infringe upon its patents have been hit with a lawsuit.

Tom Krazit Former Staff writer, CNET News
Tom Krazit writes about the ever-expanding world of Google, as the most prominent company on the Internet defends its search juggernaut while expanding into nearly anything it thinks possible. He has previously written about Apple, the traditional PC industry, and chip companies. E-mail Tom.
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Usadapter.com is selling this power adapter labeled for use with Apple's laptops, but Apple has sued the site claiming patent infringement.
Usadapter.com is selling this power adapter labeled for use with Apple's laptops, but Apple has sued the site claiming patent infringement. Usadapter.com

Apple has filed a lawsuit against three companies it alleges are selling knockoff power adapters for MacBooks and MacBook Pros, according to court filings.

The lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Thursday, names Brilliant Store, Sunvalleytek International, and Hootoo.com as defendants. Those companies operate Web sites that sell a variety of computer parts and accessories, including power adapters that Apple says infringe upon its patents.

One of the stores operated by Sunvalleytek, usadapter.com, isn't exactly hiding the fact that it sells both "oringinal" (their spelling) MacBook adapters and unlabeled power adapters that work with Apple products. Calls to Sunvalleytek were directed into a voice-mail system, and a request for comment on the lawsuit was not immediately returned.

Apple cited a patent it received in 2003 for the power adapter design, which can be viewed here.