> The screens that were seized are “hybrid” parts: the screens are third-party, but use a few original Apple parts like a flex cable that connects the screen to the phone. That invisible, internal part is marked with an Apple logo, which is enough to let the CBP seize the entire shipment.
As far as I can tell the justification amounts to, "it has our logo" followed by a lawyer's version of a meaningful look and the "yadda yadda yadda" gesture. And because Homeland Security is largely unaccountable they'll just accept that justification from Apple when accompanied by a giant wad of cash or the chance to do some operator shit.
Stop trying to pretend it's all about the filing fee, nobody (else) is making that claim.
The article clearly identifies seizure-and-resale as the dubious profit motive, where CBP is permitted to erase trademarks and make money selling the seized equipment at auction.
Parts produced by Apple are allowed to have Apple's trademark on them. That's pretty much the reason trademarks exist. In the same way, only original Honda parts are allowed to have the Honda trademark on it.
Of course in the case of Apple's customs bullying, hardware is being stolen because it's composed of a mixture of Apple parts and non-Apple parts. Like seizing an aftermarket car door because you put a Honda window control assembly into it.
