Apple's Anti-Counterfeiting Efforts Detailed in WikiLeaks Cables

[Phillip Swanson]

Usually WikiLeaks cables' contain embarrassing political speak between our elected officials and their international counterparts. However, a recent leak detailed Apple's efforts to combat counterfeit products in China.

According to the electronic memo from the Beijing embassy dated September 2008, Apple formed a team in March 2008 to crack down on the massive number of knockoff iPods and iPhones (there was no iPad at that time). Oddly enough, members of the team were recruited from Pfizer's anti piracy team after they were successful in cracking down on counterfeit Viagra products (I'll leave the clever puns to the comments).

The timing of this leak couldn't be more apt as Apple is currently dealing with a widespread fake Apple Store problem in China. What was thought originally to be an isolated and rather humorous incident, turned out to be a rather large problem after 20 more fake stores were found.

The cables also detail China's role in smuggling parts out of the country to supply India with counterfeit Apple products. The cables detail Apple's enforcement process. First Apple's counterfeit team would crack down on retailers and street vendors selling the products before working with police to raid manufacturing facilities and finally move on to online resellers.

The cooperation between Chinese authorities and technology companies, including Apple, is limited to say the least. Where the pharmaceutical companies found help, Apple and other tech companies are finding cold shoulders. Apparently pills that could possibly kill are of a greater importance than a shoddily made iPhone or iPod replica.

Source: CNN

[RICO_]

Welcome to the REAL world. Can't win 'em all I guess.

[rkswat]

Though some might not think it is, I find it freakin funny as all get out that there are fake Apple stores in China. Almost as funny is the above picture.

I'm not surprised Apple would go this far to fight fakes....... Next thing you'll see is a fake SJ.

[andypropaganda]

Counterfeit Viagra, eh? "We make you horny long time." - Cliche, but someone had to do it.

Though some might not think it is, I find it freakin funny as all get out that there are fake Apple stores in China. Almost as funny is the above picture.

I'm not surprised Apple would go this far to fight fakes....... Next thing you'll see is a fake SJ.

Haven't you ever read his twitter?

[feidhlim1986]

Why are things Wikileaks leaks, called "cables"?

[ATBsky]

Though some might not think it is, I find it freakin funny as all get out that there are fake Apple stores in China. Almost as funny is the above picture.

I'm not surprised Apple would go this far to fight fakes....... Next thing you'll see is a fake SJ.

We had a fake Steve Jobs for quite some time. Check out his blog. He is good too.
The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs

[ipodtouchman77]

Lol the picture reminds me of the time steve jobs was found with ninja stars on a plane

[emerica6708]

Why are things Wikileaks leaks, called "cables"?

I'm wondering this too.

[Imahottguy]

Why are things Wikileaks leaks, called "cables"?

Read this, it'll explain.

[accessoriesguy]

dude that picture of steve is more epic then the entire post