Swiss Launch of Apple Watch Hit By Patent Issue

wabrandsma points out this Reuters story, according to which: 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.

Comments

Patent?

[ArcadeMan]

The article doesn't give any details about what the word apple or an apple logo has to do with a patent. A trademark I could understand, but a patent?

Re:Patent?

[houghi]

FYI: Swiss isn't a language. They speak several of them, but Swiss ain't one.

Re:I guess all the Swiss watchmakers

[TWX]

Swiss watchmakers don't compete with Apple. Those that want a Swiss watch aren't looking for an electronic watch. That ship sailed decades ago with the introduction of the quartz-timed watch, and Japan and now China provides those to the world.

The Swiss still make mostly mechanical watches with loads of beautifully machined small moving parts. Those that want that kind of watch probably aren't even considering an electronic watch.

Re:I guess all the Swiss watchmakers

[stephanruby]

The Swiss still make mostly mechanical watches with loads of beautifully machined small moving parts. Those that want that kind of watch probably aren't even considering an electronic watch.

Swiss watches are fashion accessories. The Apple watch is a fashion accessory.

There is an overlap in market there.