IBM sues firm for flaming batteries

IBM SUED Shentech over knockoff Thinkpad batteries that not only sport allegedly fake IBM logos but also caught fire in at least one instance.

IBM's complaint, filed in US District Court in the Northern District of Ohio on November 20, alleges that Shentech committed trademark infringement, false advertising, unfair competition and deceptive trade practices.

Apparently, a punter in Ohio bought a Thinkpad battery from Shentech that overheated and caught fire, damaging the laptop. The user reported the mishap to Lenovo, which now sells the IBM branded Thinkpad line. Lenovo passed the dodgy battery on to IBM, which upon examination found that the battery was not a genuine IBM product, according to the complaint.

IBM then bought 12 batteries from Shentech and found they were all knockoffs.

The lawsuit asks that the court require Shentech to turn in all such batteries in its possession so IBM can destroy them. It also asks the court to force Shentech to disgorge all profits that Shentech realized from sale of the batteries. Finally, it requests treble damages or $1 million for each counterfeit IBM trademark per type of item sold.

Shentech reportedly appears to be a web-based computer parts business with a mailing address in Flushing, New York. µ

L'INQ
Computerworld