Apple sues eMachines over eOne
Apple said Thursday it had filed suit against eMachines in US Federal Court in San Jose, California, and is asking a judge to stop the company from shipping its new eOne computer. Apple is seeking unspecified damages from eMachines. "There is an unlimited number of original designs that eMachines could have created for their computers, but instead they chose to copy Apple's designs," Steve Jobs, Apple's interim CEO, said in a statement. "We've invested a lot of money and effort to create and market our award-winning computer designs, and we intend to protect them under the law."
iMac a top seller eMachines has claimed that it designed its translucent, blue PC independently of Apple. The eOne is a lot cheaper than the iMac, as low as $399 (£247) after rebate, compared with $1,199 for the Apple machine. The eOne began shipping two weeks ago.
The iMac has been among the top-selling desktop PCs since its debut a year ago, and its popularity has stemmed mainly from its colourful, sleek, all-in-one design.
Apple already has sued Future Power and Daewoo for making computers it claims are iMac knock-offs, and there was much speculation the company also would go after eMachines.
eMachines was not immediately available for comment.