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

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.

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) September 14, 2020

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) September 14, 2020

18 Comments

indiekiduk 386 comments · 16 Years

About 4 years ago

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.

CloudTalkin 916 comments · 5 Years

Hahahahahahahahahahaha! CBP putting incompetence on display for all the world to see. Sweet Jeebus.

avon b7 8008 comments · 20 Years

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.

indiekiduk said:

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.

polymnia 1080 comments · 15 Years

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.