Deutsche Umwelthilfe v. Apple Distribution International Ltd.

Date

2024

Geography

Germany

About this case

Filing year

2024

Status

Pending

Geography

Germany

Court/admin entity

Germany → Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main

Case category

Suits against corporations, individuals → Corporations → Misleading advertising

Principal law

Germany → Act Against Unfair Competition

At issue

Whether advertising claims around "climate neutrality" are misleading and in breach of the German Act against Unfair Competition

Documents

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Summary

The lawsuit is directed against Apple Distribution International Ltd. The company is accused of promoting three models of its Apple Watch as "CO2-neutral." The company states that the CO2 emissions caused by the production of these watches are offset by compensation projects. However, Apple largely leaves unclear which projects these are. Moreover, it is not evident whether the compensation projects will actually be operated for the entire period during which the emitted fossil carbon remains in the atmosphere. Press release: https://www.duh.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/pressemitteilung/deutsche-umwelthilfe-klagt-gegen-technologiekonzern-apple-wegen-irrefuehrender-werbung-fuer-co2-neutr/