Reuters:
Apple is not able to launch its new smartwatch in Switzerland until at least the end of this year because of an intellectual property rights issue, Swiss broadcaster RTS reported on its website.
The U.S. tech giant cannot use the image of an apple nor the word “apple” to launch its watch within Switzerland, the home of luxury watches, because of a patent from 1985, RTS reported, citing a document from the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property.
The document, reprinted on the RTS website, was published by trade magazine Business Montres & Joaillerie, RTS said.
The patent is set to finish on Dec. 5 of this year. It currently belongs to William Longe, who owns watch brand Leonard that first filed the patent.
Given the short shelf life of this trademark, I imagine it wouldn’t take much money to make this go away.
Update: As pointed out in the comments, this is a trademark issue, not a patent issue. If you are interested in the details and happen to speak French, here’s a link to the original article which has the legal document embedded within.
On the contrary, the Swiss will buy in the EU (e.g. France or Italy), where it will be much cheaper.
It’s a trademark, not a patent.
Yeah that is confusing – patents cover invention, not trade names. reuters got it wrong?
Surprised tech blogs and writers like this one keep repeating the mistake.
I’ll likely pick mine up in Germany as opposed to Zurich.
Folks living in the tichino, ie southern Switzerland, are closer to an Apple Store in Milan, than here in Switzerland.
Fair point. A little Googling found the original document. In French, but there for all to read. Post is updated with correction and the link. Thanks for the correction.