Hi,
The way it was explained to me the unlighted cover has metal tabs to secure the kindle to the cover. The top socket in the kindle has contacts to power the light in the lighted cover. The paint on the tabs of the unlighted cover are supposed to insulate it from the contacts. Hmm paint is not a good insulator, especially when the painted surface is moved around constantly. Got rid of the unlighted cover and got a $60 credit for a lighted cover. Yay!
