NEWS 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.