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Legal action eyes creator of black to white iPhone 4 converter kit

Legal action eyes creator of black to white iPhone 4 converter kit

With Apple having delayed the release of the white iPhone 4 until March next year, the teenage creator making thousands by selling a converter kit that turns a black iPhone white is now receiving legal threats.

The much sought-after white iPhone 4 has been delayed twice by Apple. “White models of Apple’s new iPhone 4 have proven more challenging to manufacture than expected, and as a result they will not be available until the second half of July,” the Cupertino, California-based company said in June.

In October, Apple delayed it again until March next year.

This is where Fei “Phil” Lam, 17, from New York, has been cashing in on Apple’s delay in launching the white iPhone 4 by selling a converter kit that turns black iPhone 4’s into white ones.

But in an interview with this website, Phil said that a private investigator had been in contact with him to try and gag him from selling the kits. He believes they may be working for Apple.

Comment is being sought from Apple Australia.

He said he had so far made about $US30,000 to $US40,000 from the kits which cost up to $US279 each and purportedly comprise parts supplied by Foxconn, the Taiwanese-owned company which manufactures the iPhone in China..

For the full instant message interview, read below.

Chat interview with Fei “Phil” Lam

SMH: Okay. First up, great idea. How did you come up with this?

Phil Lam: Thanks. It just sorta came to me

SMH: Have you always been an Apple/iPhone fan?

Phil Lam: Saw that the parts were available and official release delayed. A huge Apple fanboy here

SMH: So you were disappointed when the white iPhone release was delayed?

Phil Lam: I don’t own an iPhone though

SMH: You don’t own an iPhone because you couldn’t afford one, as a student? Is that right?

Phil Lam: That too

SMH: Ok. Tell me about the private investigator. Why do you think he’s working for Apple?

Phil Lam:  He works for a anti-counterfeit/trademark firm. Same 2 things used to bring down eBay listings by Apple. Of course I hope it’s not apple

SMH: So the parts as quite expensive, like over $200 for the front and back. It’s only a shell, why is it so costly?

Phil Lam: It’s not too far from how much I get them even at bulk.

SMH: I’ve read you’ve made over $100K in just a couple of weeks, is that correct? Any buyers from Australia?

Phil Lam: That number is bull. I made only 30-40k. 100k was income before cost of product. Every time a site picks up the story it changes a little bit…

SMH: That’s why I wanted to ask you and get the truth.

SMH: Just to check a few other things: you are 17? What are you making the money for? I read to fund college. And is that fuzzy photo of you really you?

Phil Lam: I did not expect to get so much attention…

SMH: Yea, I was going to say. You must be surprised and excited about how quickly this story has spread. Your 15 minutes of fame? Or do you intend to make it last a bit longer?

SMH: By that I mean are you an entrepreneurial kind of guy, or just a typical teenager. Are you the next Mark Zuckerberg?

Phil Lam:To answer your previous question, I’m turning 18 in half a month

SMH: And the question about your entrepreneurial instincts?

Phil Lam: I intend to go to college for at least 1-2 years

SMH: To study computrer science, I’ve read. Is that correct?

Phil Lam: To be honest, I am starting a stealthy start up. Or business

SMH: OK. So you are an entrepreneurial guy. No hints at what the start up is about?

Phil Lam: I’ve told a bit to Fast Company and basically it’s a super simplistic way to connect with another person online. I know it’s a bit vague

SMH: That sounds like social.

Phil Lam: But I’ll have it launched pretty soon, before the year ends.

[Thanks: http://www.smh.com.au]

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