Apple is suing three companies over patent infringement allegations for knock-off MagSafe MacBook chargers they are building and selling. Brilliant Store, Sunvalleytek International and Hootoo.com are all facing the wrath of Apple’s legal team for their MacBook and MacBook Pro-compatible chargers, according to CNET News.
The suit was filed against the three companies on July 8 in U.S. District Court in Northern California.
The MagSafe power adapter charges the MacBook and MacBook Pro, and includes a specially designed cable connector that pops free from the laptop when tugged so computers aren’t accidentally yanked off desks.
Apple has been vigorously defending its patents recently, although most of its battles have been related to technologies used in its iPhone and iPod products. This case strays from that pattern by targeting technology used in the company’s laptop lineup.
None of the companies involved have commented on the pending litigation.

Jeff Gamet
11” MacBook Air 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5: $999.00 Delivered

Do they have a legal path for 3rd party companies to make compatible chargers, like paying royalties to do so or joining some partnership program? I think it’s lame to punish people for helping your ecosystem if you don’t provide a legal path for them.
(It’s the same with headphones, iphone chargers, FM transmitters, etc. There’s got to be an officially allowed path like that for laptop chargers too, doesn’t there?)