When the Apple Watch goes on sale April 24, one place it will be conspicuous in its absence is Switzerland: the spiritual home of the wristwatch, which Jony Ive famously (allegedly) said was “f**ked” due to the awesomeness of Apple’s upcoming wearable.
One possible reason? A trademark claim made by a company called Leonard Timepieces for a watch and watch parts carrying the image of an apple and the English word “APPLE.” First filed in 1985 — not too long after Apple originally launched the Mac — the 30-year trademark expires on December 5, 2015.
According to reports, the trademark owner (who seems to have never actually made and sold his “Apple watch”) is currently negotiating with Apple to purchase the trademark (“at no doubt a high cost”) and, until this is done, is completely blocking both marketing and sales of the Apple Watch in Switzerland.
Of course, it would make a lot of sense for other rival watch-makers to pool their resources to try and persuade the owner to renew the trademark come December, although I’d expect a deal to be reached with Apple. Then again, when you consider how important Swiss watches are as an export for Switzerland, it’s impossible to entirely predict how courts will rule — if things get that far.
Not that would-be Apple Watch owners living in Switzerland are going to entirely be left high and dry. After all, it’s only a short drive to France or Germany to pick one up…
Source: RTS.ch
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
8 responses to “Apple Watch is currently barred from going on sale in Switzerland”
Sorry, but swiss made watches are not in trouble like jony ive said. I love the design of many things he supposedly designs but he is just out of hand lately. Even crazy apple fans think so too. Oh well, with all that money he has i guess it has gotten to his head.
What are you on about
What are you “on” about? Don’t understand your question.
Can a trademark holder, who has not done anything with the trademark for 30 years, really renew it in an obvious attempt to block another product? I don’t know Swiss law at all but that seems ridiculous.
I totally agree. It seems that the trademark owner (a citizen from Singapore) hasn’t done anything with his “right” for 30 years. As a Swiss citizen (and son of a watchmaker), I think that this person should simply have his “right” revoked. Switzerland values innovation and entrepreneurship. No matter where it comes from. The trademark owner seemingly bought the name after his daughter’s first name: Apple. He probably didn’t do it to rake money. A courteous way to deal with that “luck” would be to simply leave the trademark to Apple, or, if money comes into play, to give the amount to charities.
Trademarks generally cannot be revoked – what would the point of having a trade mark be if they could be revoked? They do however – expire. Regardless of the reason for renewing – the owner of the trademark has that option.
I wonder why he can’t get the trademark renewed. I am sure the swiss watch makers won’t mind providing the necessary paperwork and funds to do it.
It’s more skidmark than trademark.