Canon G10 lens scratches caused by automatic lens cover?

Warning to all Canon G10 owners:

Recently I have discovered two small but distinct sets of parallel scratches on my new G10 outer lens surface just off center (above and below the horizontal center). This is a puzzle since I have not been in dusty environments and I always clean my lens with an air blower or soft cloth in circular motion.

With a little liquid paste thinly distributed over the lens I have now discovered that the automatic lens covers ALWAYS makes contact with the lens just off center and then rest on the lens covering about 30-40%. In my mind this qualifies as a faulty design.

Since I am now in warranty dispute with our local distributor (Canon South Africa) on having the entire lens replaced I wonder if anybody else has come across this problem already?

I don't remember this problem with my previous G9 & G7 where the lens cover was at a distinct distance above the outer lens surface.
Axel