4 ms·

So if I assemble a computer for someone, do I have to scratch the logos off everything? Is it reasonable to call the machine "counterfiet" because the CPU says

So if I assemble a computer for someone, do I have to scratch the logos off everything? Is it reasonable to call the machine "counterfiet" because the CPU says "Intel" on the heat spreader? Or because one of the memory chips says "Samsung"? Most other manufacturers produce electronics with components from a wide variety of sources, bearing many brand names. What makes Apple components special?

etchalon 3y ago
Apple components aren't found in other products, only their own products. So if a product contains something with Apple logo, and it's not an actual Apple product, the chance it's counterfeit is significantly higher, though obviously not absolute in the rare case of component re-use - which is 100% legal. It would be impossible to tell if a computer was counterfeit just because it included something with a Samsung logo. But it would be fairly easy, for instance, to tell a counterfeit Samsung phone if it featured a MediaTek processor. Is it possible someone legally bought 1000 legitimate Samsung phones and swapped out the processor? Sure. And it would be legal. But is it the most likely case? No. "Horses not zebras".
- withinboredom 3y ago
  That sounds wrong. We (and the border) have no idea who Apple is licensing their technology to. Sure it is easy to say “probably nobody” because they are incredibly isolationist but that won’t always be the case, in fact, it may currently not be the case.
  - etchalon 3y ago
    When it stops being the case, it’d be one of the biggest tech stories of our lifetime.
- Dah00n 3y ago
  >the chance it's counterfeit is significantly higher So, "guilty until proven innocent" is the way they look at anything made by Apple and "innocent until proven guilty" otherwise? Seems… fishy at a minimum. Corrupt more likely.
  - etchalon 3y ago
    It’s literally just logic and is purely speculation on my part.

etchalon 3y ago

Apple components aren't found in other products, only their own products. So if a product contains something with Apple logo, and it's not an actual Apple product, the chance it's counterfeit is significantly higher, though obviously not absolute in the rare case of component re-use - which is 100% legal. It would be impossible to tell if a computer was counterfeit just because it included something with a Samsung logo. But it would be fairly easy, for instance, to tell a counterfeit Samsung phone if it featured a MediaTek processor. Is it possible someone legally bought 1000 legitimate Samsung phones and swapped out the processor? Sure. And it would be legal. But is it the most likely case? No. "Horses not zebras".

withinboredom 3y ago
That sounds wrong. We (and the border) have no idea who Apple is licensing their technology to. Sure it is easy to say “probably nobody” because they are incredibly isolationist but that won’t always be the case, in fact, it may currently not be the case.
- etchalon 3y ago
  When it stops being the case, it’d be one of the biggest tech stories of our lifetime.
Dah00n 3y ago
>the chance it's counterfeit is significantly higher So, "guilty until proven innocent" is the way they look at anything made by Apple and "innocent until proven guilty" otherwise? Seems… fishy at a minimum. Corrupt more likely.
- etchalon 3y ago
  It’s literally just logic and is purely speculation on my part.