Despite the realistic impersonation of the Apple Store, in the small Chinese town of Kunming, it seems as if the party is over. Chinese Government officials have stepped in, promising an investigation of the false Apple Stores. In fact, Chinese state media has reported that the store’s supplier is being audited, as well as their business licence to operate. Considering the brazen nature of the store’s illegal activity- it seems that this is a face saving measure, instead of what seems to be serious action. Why? Apparently, there are at least another three stores such as this one, mere blocks away from it. Secondly, it has been reported that thousands of illegal Apple resellers operate, while being much smaller, or discreet than this operation.
Incidentally, the blogger which first discovered the store has reported that the store is legal, and the products supplied to it are authentic. Also, the manager himself has apparently never said that he was an Authorized Apple Store, which seems slightly contradictory compared to the picture above. The manager of the store has supposedly commented, “I am sure we will become their authorized reseller in the near future,”… “After all, we invested a lot in this store.”
Considering that China is home to an entire unlicenced themepark for Blizzard Entertainment Intellectual Property, it seems unlikely that this independent store will be severely sanctioned.