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Apple sued for deceptive marketing

by Parm Mann on 1 April 2008, 10:22

Tags: Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qamgz

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They'll try and sue for anything these days

The folk over at Microsoft are already well accustomed to spending their time in courts and it looks as though Apple is getting its fair taste too.

This time, Los Angeles law firm, Kabateck Brown Kellner, claims that Apple has been deceptively marketing its new 20in iMac. According to the firm, Apple has been marketing the 20in iMac to have the same features as the 24in.

Brian Kabateck, Managing Partner of Kabateck Brown Kellner said: "Our goal is to help those customers who were deceived and make sure Apple tells the truth in the future."

Apple's iMacs

So, where exactly is Apple said to be doing wrong with its so called deceptive marketing? Well, KBK's lawyers claim:

"Apple is deceiving consumers, duping its customers into thinking they're buying 'new and improved' when in fact they're getting stuck with 'new and inferior.' Beneath Apple's 'good guy' image is a corporation that takes advantage of its customers."

"Indeed, the new 24-inch iMacs display 16,777,216 colours on 8-bit, in-plane switching (IPS) screens, as did the previous generation of 20-inch iMacs. But the new 20-inch iMac monitors do not even come close, displaying 98% fewer colours (262,144)."

"While Apple describes the display of both the 24-inch and 20-inch iMacs as though they were interchangeable, the monitors in each are of radically different technology. The 20-inch iMacs feature 6-bit twisted nematic film (TN) LCD screens, the least expensive of its type."

"The 20-inch iMac's TN screens have a narrower viewing angle, less colour depth, less colour accuracy and are more susceptible to washout across the screen."

Personally, I can't see any reference on Apple's website claiming that both displays are identical, but I did find this little description:

"Dazzling displays - Your photos, movies, and games will come to life in rich, vivid colour thanks to the new glossy widescreen display on every iMac."

Fair enough, every iMac has a glossy widescreen but it doesn't explicitly state that different models use different technology or display varying numbers of colours. I can't see Apple getting into much trouble over this one, but then, it seems you can be sued for just about anything these days.

Official press release: Apple Sued for iMac Deception by Kabateck Brown Kellner



HEXUS Forums :: 5 Comments

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April Foolz
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April Foolz

Highly unlikely….
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Highly unlikely….

Well after reading the article, it still seems quite ridiculous (but its not an april fools). They are stating the spec, its not like they are hiding anything…
I think it might come down more to the fact that they're not stating that the smaller screen has an infirerior technology.

But enless they compare them directly, and state that only the size is different, i can't see what their doing wrong. It would be like sueing them because the 20" screen draws less power.

If you buy an Apple your stupid with money anyway, so odds are won't know what type of panel it is.
I can't see that is big enough of a deal to sue over, but Apple do have a habit of generalising in their marketing a little too much.