Apple Watch Launch in Switzerland Hit by Patent Issue

Apple is not able to launch its new smartwatch
in Switzerland until at least the end of this year beause 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 December 5 of this year. It currently
belongs to William Longe, who owns watch brand Leonard that first filed
the patent.

Apple did
not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The Swiss
Federal Institute of Intellectual Property could not immediately be
reached outside of normal business hours.

The Apple Watch, the firm's first new device since Tim Cook became CEO, will be available in stores in nine countries on April 24.

The
world's largest watchmaker Swatch unveiled its riposte to Apple's
smartwatch last month, announcing a plan to put cheap programmable chips
in watches that will let wearers from China to Chicago make payments
with a swipe of the wrist.