Apple has sued Gelius Import Distribution LLC over the importation of 1,500 Gelius Pro Capsule 4 wireless headphones into Ukraine, which, according to the American corporation, infringes Apple’s trademark rights. The Kyiv Commercial Court has opened proceedings in the case.
Apple has sued Gelius Import Distribution LLC over the importation of 1,500 Gelius Pro Capsule 4 wireless headphones into Ukraine, which, according to the American corporation, infringes Apple’s trademark rights. The Kyiv Commercial Court has opened proceedings in the case.
On January 13, 2026, the Kyiv City Commercial Court opened proceedings in the case of Apple Inc. against Ukrainian electronics distributor Helius Import Distribution LLC. The reason is the import of headphones that Apple considers similar to its patented designs.
On December 22, 2025, Apple filed a motion with the court to secure the claim, that is, to stop the customs clearance of the goods before filing the main lawsuit. On December 25, the court granted this motion, and Kyiv Customs stopped the clearance of the consignment of goods.
These are wireless in-ear headphones Stereo Bluetooth Headset Gelius Pro Capsule 4 GP-TWS-004i White. The batch consists of 1500 pieces. Device characteristics: Bluetooth version 5.1, talk time 6 hours, battery capacity 40 mAh. Trademark — Gelius, manufacturer — Argentum Rail Limited, country of manufacture — China.
The exporter of the goods is MOBIKING HONGKONG LIMITED with the address Rm 2304, Ho King Commercial Centre, 2-16 Fa Yuen Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The declarant is UNITWORD LLC, and the importer and recipient is HELIUS IMPORT DISTRIBUTION LLC.
On January 5, 2026, Apple filed the main lawsuit with two main claims. First, the company asks to prohibit LLC «Helius Import Distribution» from using signs that are similar to Apple’s trademarks. Apple refers to the certificate of Ukraine for a mark for goods and services No. 277885 and certificate No. 28163. Both certificates relate to class 9 of the International Classification of Goods and Services, which includes electronic devices, including headphones.
Specifically, Apple is demanding that the defendant be prohibited from applying similar markings to the product, packaging, labels, tags. It is also prohibited from storing such product for the purpose of sale, offering for sale, selling, importing and exporting. It also specifically prohibits use in business documentation, advertising and on the Internet.
Secondly, Apple is asking the court to remove all 1,500 Gelius Pro Capsule 4 headphones from civil circulation and destroy them.
The court decided to consider the case under the rules of general claim proceedings, as it is complex. This means a longer process with a detailed examination of the evidence. The preparatory hearing is scheduled for February 12, 2026. The appearance of the parties is mandatory.
This is not the first time Apple has sued accessory manufacturers and distributors over similarities to Apple products. The company has been aggressive in defending the design of its devices, especially the AirPods, which have become a cult product and the subject of mass copying around the world.
Gelius is a Ukrainian brand of electronics and accessories that has been operating on the market since 2013. The company produces a wide range of products, from headphones to power banks.
The case is interesting because Apple will have to prove not only the fact of the similarity of the design, but also that consumers can confuse Gelius headphones with Apple products. It is the possibility of confusion that is the key criterion for trademark infringement under Ukrainian law.
