Litigiousness
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No Comment: Apple Germany says nein to eiPott
How do you say "completely unsurprised" auf Deutsch[1]? Berlin-based blog BZiPhone reports that the German-made eiPott has been delivered the death blow, courtesy of Apple Germany (translation). The computer and phone maker has gotten a restraining order against the Erbach-based koziol, maker of cute housewares for the stylish home. The lawsuit, which was presented in what Google Language assures me is the "Hanseatic Higher Regional Court," means that koziol will no longer be able to use the eiPott name to sell their plastic egg holder. Apparently the item could have been confused with another product. Shocking. The iPod-inspired package will also need to be redesigned.
Man to sue over 1.1.1 iBricking
ComputerWorld reports that Timothy Smith, an iPhone owner in California, plans to sue Apple for violating antitrust law. His claim rests on the fact that Apple forces consumers to use AT&T as their sole wireless carrier and that the 1.1.1 update bricked phones that were unlocked for other carriers. This sole agreement with AT&T is, according to his suit, anticompetitive, forcing customers to pay more for their phones and for the cell phone service than they would in a competitive market. The suit goes on to add that Apple knew that the probable result of the update would brick unlocked iPhones. If you're feeling in a litigious mood or if you just want to rubberneck to see what the fuss is about, check out this website set up by the Law Offices of Van Smith and Fernandez. It's got some spiffy photos at the top with a guy on a phone (it's probably not an iPhone) and a couple of lawyers talking (probably neither Van Smith or Fernandez).
