Apple Relaxes Return Policy on iPod

In what appears to be a preemptive measure, especially considering a recent lawsuit surrounding the iPod Nano's alleged scratching problem, Apple has alerted its partners to accept returns for any video iPod that is experiencing hardware failure.

According to information obtained by Apple enthusiast site AppleInsider, this could even include failures that may have previously been attributed to customer abuse.

"For a short period of time, Apple will be evaluating all forms of hardware failure on the recently announced fifth-generation iPod," the note to partners reads. For the moment, no known problems affect the newest iPod, but Apple is taking no chances.

Last week, Apple was sued over the scratching issue over which many iPod Nano owners have been complaining to the company. In the suit, which could become a class action, Apple was accused of negligence.

"Rather than admit the design flaw when consumers began to express widespread complaints about the screen's propensity to scratch easily and excessively, Apple concealed the defect and advised class members that they would need to purchase additional equipment to prevent the screen from scratching excessively," the filing said.

To its defense, Apple claimed the plastic used for the Nano is the same as what was used on fourth generation iPods, which have received no complaints.

According to AppleInsider, the problems led Apple to ship the new video iPod with a basic sleeve case in the box, and the same concept is being considered for future incarnations of the Nano.