Should we start a class action lawsuit against Apple?

I bought a refurbished iPad mini on Ebay. However, I can't use it because it already is linked to some one's Apple ID. The seller has so far ignored my requests for information to address this. I have been researching this issue online and it turns out a ton of people are in the same boat, getting iPads or iPhones that are useless, except as paperweights, because they are linked to an account with a password that the person does not have, or has lost.

Now, you may say, "Oh, this is good because it deters theft." However, I'm not saying to make these tablets totally open without password protection. However, each of these iPads surely has a unique signature / code embedded in it, likely linked to the Apple ID needed to activate it, and to contact info for that person. It would be a piece of cake to simply enter that unique signature online, and see if anyone has reported that iPad lost or stolen. If not, after a period of time, the iPad should be unlocked for the new owner.

This is a big deal because it is frankly a blight on society when productive resources are turned into useless junk. All the iPads and iPhones that are perfectly functional, but for this activation lock, is a terrible waste of the Earth's scarce resources, and just makes no sense, except in the eyes of a corporate profiteering point of view (i.e., thinking the more iPads that they sell that become unusable, the more additional iPads they can sell).

I'm thinking a court in law, or perhaps even in equity, ought to be able to provide some relief from a policy that is so short-sighted and represents a form of bad faith profiteering. At a certain point, bad customer service crosses the line and becomes an unfair / improper business practice, and I think this should qualify. Or, even better, Apple executives should get off their *** and do something to address this. It's a simple, common sense fix for a prevalent problem.

Before you call your lawyer try these simple steps:

Settings > General > Reset then tap on Erase All Content and Settings.

I would take your ipad to an apple store and see if they are able to reset to factory conditions.
Very possibly the ipad was stolen and you were unluckly enough to have bought it.
It is not Apple's fault that you bought an ipad without a password.
Al

It sounds like the sellers are the ones who need to be facing charges, especially those who are selling these iPads knowing that they are bricks. Have you looked into filing a complaint against the seller with eBay or taking them to small claims court?

File the lawsuit, I will join you. I'm the original owner of my IPAD and can't reset it because I do not have nor do I know what my original email address was. I have so very necessary flight software on my IPAD that affects my job. I'm sick and tired of answering to stupid computers as to when what and how i the original owner use them. Apple had to know this was going to be a problem. I say file suit on the SOB's.