James Delahunty
9 Nov 2005 7:37
More litigation is headed toward Apple Computer Inc. due to the "design flaw" in the iPod Nano music player that lead to the display screens being easily scratched or broken. A case was filed originally in the U.S. in October. Now Apple customers in the UK and in Mexico have joined the legal battle over the screens. All the affected customers claim the iPod Nano screen is very easily scratched during normal usage, and even when efforts are made to protect the screen scratches still show up eventually.
Apple did admit to one flaw with a batch of Nanos that shipped. This particular batch had screens that could be easily broken by the user. However, when asked about the scratched screens, Apple simply commented that users worried about the screens should considering buying a protective case and take more care with the device. The lawsuits accuse Apple of knowing about the design flaw, but rushing to release it fast anyway.
"Apple's iPod Nano has sold in record numbers around the world, just as it did in the US," said Steve Berman, lead lawyer on both cases. "The far-reaching response also reveals that this is not just a small problem or a bad batch of Nanos, but a defect in the overall design that should have been rectified prior to the release." Ben Jennings, a customer in the UK, bought his iPod Nano in September and he claims that despite efforts to protect the screen, it quickly became so scratched it was hard to read.
The first case was filed in the U.S. by Jason Tomczak on October 19th. Apple did not comment on either case.
Source:
BBC News