Name: CBP: OnePlus Buds Seized for Violating Apple 'Trademark Configuration'
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CBP: OnePlus Buds Seized for Violating Apple 'Trademark Configuration'

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PCMag editors select and review products . If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.OnePlus Buds in white (Photo by Sascha Segan/PCMag)UPDATE 4:15 p.m. ET: In a statement released this afternoon, CBP doubled down and said it didn't make a mistake. Instead, OnePlus violated "Apple’s configuration trademark," it said.“Upon examining the shipment in question, a CBP Import Specialist determined that the subject earbuds appeared to violate Apple’s configuration trademark. Apple has configuration trademarks on their brand of earbuds, and has recorded those trademarks with CBP," a spokesperson said.In response to those pointing to the words "OnePlus Buds" on the box, CBP said its "seizure of the earbuds in question is unrelated to the images or language on the box.&nbsp;A company does not have to put an 'Apple' wordmark or design on their products to violate these trademarks."CBP said OnePlus "will have many opportunities through the adjudication process to provide evidence that their product does not violate the relevant recorded trademarks.” OnePlus declined to comment; Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Original Story:Late last month, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized 2,000 earbuds at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, but the seizure is rather embarrassing for CBP.The agency on Sunday that CBP officials confiscated "counterfeit" Apple AirPods on their way from Hong Kong to Nevada—valued at $398,000 "had they been genuine." Except, they are genuine: Genuine . Border Protection's own photos (below), though small and slightly pixelated, clearly show OnePlus branding on the red-and-white packaging, as well as the distinctly shaped carrying case."Hey, give those back!" OnePlus USA to CBP's weekend post, which sparked a series of memes and mocking remarks. It later added "Seize the day. Seize the music."CBP, which boasted in that "the interception of these counterfeit earbuds is a direct reflection of the vigilance and commitment to mission success by our CBP officers daily," did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.(Photos via US Customs and Border Protection)Shenzhen-based OnePlus , promising more than seven hours of continuous use (between charging-case top ups) for only $79—significantly lower than Apple's AirPods, . There is no word on what led Customs and Border Protection to impound 2,000 OnePlus Buds (which amount to $158,000), other than their general resemblance to Cupertino's popular headphones.The largest federal law enforcement agency in the US Department of Homeland Security, CBP is tasked with enforcing intellectual property rights—including suspected fraud and illegal trade activity. These "high-risk areas," according to the agency, can cause significant revenue loss, harm the US economy, or threaten the health and safety of American people. Or, they can lead to a very public, very embarrassing mix up.Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning.This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our and . You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!AdvertisementEditors' Choice

PCMag editors select and review products . If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.OnePlus Buds in white (Photo by Sascha Segan/PCMag)UPDATE 4:15 p.m. ET: In a statement released this afternoon, CBP doubled down and said it didn't make a mistake. Instead, OnePlus violated "Apple’s configuration trademark," it said.“Upon examining the shipment in question, a CBP Import Specialist determined that the subject earbuds appeared to violate Apple’s configuration trademark. Apple has configuration trademarks on their brand of earbuds, and has...

CBP: OnePlus Buds Seized for Violating Apple 'Trademark Configuration'

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