More lawsuits over iPod Nano screens

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

Written by: James Delahunty @ 9 Nov 2005 7:37

Advertisement - News comments available below the ad

13 comments

Doggy_Bot

Quote: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.Well it's their fault, and they should have not shipped the defected batch...One mistake could lead up to a pile of lawsuites, I don't think Apple knows that...

9.11.2005 08:32 #1

Lethal_B

Quote:I don't think Apple knows that... Oh, they do, hence the
Quote:Apple did not comment on either case. They have had it far too easy thus far. It's about time the question of quality of Apple products was made more public.

9.11.2005 09:14 #2

arcanix

Well you can see that ipod's sell only because they are mainstream products now. Ipod (20gb) cost 100 euros more than similar players from creative (20gb also). Same thing with sony laptops. Vaio's are nothing special, still they cost like hell.

9.11.2005 11:42 #3

arcanix

And about ipod nano's, when I first saw one, I thought it would snap in half if you with one in your pocket. I'm surprised that there are no other problem with nano's (well so far).

9.11.2005 11:44 #4

evilh0ly

my friend's nano even though he took pretty good care of it guess what his nano is so scratched up it looks like he had it for years. although very small but overall i think it's not worth the money.

9.11.2005 13:26 #5

neurokasm

And how is this any different from the other iPods? All of them scratch super easy, no news there. Invest in some screen protection.

9.11.2005 15:23 #6

lxhotboy

IMO these companies test these products before they are released and i am sure that they did not overlook the fact that the screen scratch too easy. That is the kind of stuff that makes people upset when someone releases something and i a defect that couldnot possible have been overlooked is just ingnored. I understand the defects that they dont find before releasing. I dont own a ipod. I own a psp though and noticed the same thing with the screen. Scratches appeared no matter how carefull i was and most scratches appeared when i was cleaning fingerprint smudges off the screen. I did but a protector and i am sure some people did the same with the ipod nano. But why should it be our responsibility to as consumers to buy a screen protector to a device that cost a heck of a pretty penny in the first place. I could see if it were like $10.00 or something. I payed $270 for my PSP and i am sure the ipods also cost a pretty penny. If we are nice enough to fork out a couple of big face benjams then i dont think it is too much to ask any company not to release a product with a screen that will scratch no matter how careful we may be with its handling. What do you guys think?????

9.11.2005 18:33 #7

evilh0ly

only the stupid ipod stuffs do not come with those screen protectors and the psp too.

9.11.2005 22:45 #8

Lethal_B

Quote:I did but a protector and i am sure some people did the same with the ipod nano. But why should it be our responsibility to as consumers to buy a screen protector to a device that cost a heck of a pretty penny in the first placeYea, second that. It is called typical Apple. They will never make the �complete product� � they always intentionally leave a key factor out, so everyone goes bandy for the next product they bring out. It has been clever business for them thus far. But now this nano incident is coming back to bite them on the ass�

10.11.2005 00:08 #9

spooky2k

apple havent always done this. its onlly been since the iPod became mainstream (4th gen and up). Before this, you got the complete package.

10.11.2005 04:54 #10

Binighted

And the reasons why not to buy an ipod keep piling up...I stick to my gmini.Period.

10.11.2005 08:34 #11

hughie22

i would say most mass produceing companys are guilty of turning out products that have built in obsolesence,not just ipod.to pute a better screen into these things would only be a few cents more per unit,but the greater plan seems to be if the maker can get it to last till its just out of warranty then there arse is safe and then they make a killing on spare parts.but it looks like ipod got caught with there pants down.

19.11.2005 23:51 #12

boss

the sound from ipod's are unbeliavable beat all others , however the downside is the screen craking and how easy it is too scratch the ipod nano

10.2.2006 06:19 #13

AfterDawn: News