Two days ago, Samsung smartphones imported to Russia from Kazakhstan through parallel imports were found in the M.Video, Svyaznoy and DNS networks . The representative of M.Video has now officially confirmed the purchase and sale of equipment in the country without the consent of the copyright holders. An explanation has also come up as to why this works with Samsung but doesn’t work with Apple.
M.Video has begun test purchases and sales of goods without the consent of the copyright holders, a company representative said at one of the industry events for retailers and shopping centers. One of its participants told Izvestia about this.
But the distribution network does not buy Apple electronics: the company sees serious risks in this. The fact is that the manufacturer can trace the path of each sold device, explained the source of the publication in one of the telecom retailers. Theoretically, an iPhone or other device designed for one market may not work in another. Russians can buy Apple equipment in third countries, but they themselves will be responsible for these products, domestic companies will not have any obligations, the Izvestia interlocutor explained. But if a consumer buys a product from a retailer, and then it does not work, this is a serious risk, because retail chains are responsible for the goods sold.
According to the interlocutor of the publication, some sellers of gadgets are now consulting with Iran. This country is under sanctions, and Apple did not allow the sale of branded electronics there, but its implementation has not been stopped.
“We are considering various opportunities to provide an assortment and affordable prices for buyers, including within the framework of parallel imports. Apple smartphones and gadgets are now available in the stores of the network. These are deliveries that were made before February 2022, most models are subject to discounts and installments. We can meet the demand that is now on the market , ”M.Video-Eldorado told Izvestia.
The introduction of parallel imports does not solve the problems with branded service and guarantees from official dealers, said Anastasia Myrsina, a lawyer at BGP Litigation, in an interview with Izvestia. Plus, it is impossible to pay for Apple services with Russian bank cards, she recalled.
The expert stressed that from a legal point of view it is difficult to assess which country is considered the place of origin of goods. Therefore, the question arises on what principle it is possible to turn off or block the phone by the manufacturer. This could potentially lead to big consumer disputes, Anastasia Myrsina added.
Also, official Apple distributors may face sanctions from the company for using parallel imports. Partners have contracts, so the manufacturer can impose a fine for violating the terms of the contract, the lawyer explained.
In other words, it is not difficult to bring iPhone, iPad and other Apple equipment to Russia, but it is not clear what to do with it if Apple suddenly discovers the use in Russia of a conditional iPhone sold in the same Kazakhstan and intended for the Kazakhstan market, and wants to turn it off . And in the same way, it is not clear what to do if this iPhone breaks down and there are no spare parts. Finally, the third risk is related to the fact that a company that sold a batch of conditional iPhones to a Russian company may be punished by Apple itself for reselling equipment to a sanctioned country. Other electronics manufacturers do not have such strict control over their products, which makes it possible to relatively easily import their products into Russia through parallel imports.
