AfterDawn: News

Swiss Rail accuses Apple of stealing clock design

Apple's latest iOS 6 operating system finally gave iFans a native clock app, and most new users found the app to be "beautiful" or "gorgeous."

Fans were not the only ones to notice the style of the new app, however, with the Swiss Federal Railway Service (SBB) now accusing the company of stealing the design.



Apple's design is "identical" to their own, which was created in 1944 and trademarked, says a spokesperson, and they have a point (see below).

"We are proud that this icon of clock design is being used by a globally successful company. We've approached Apple and told them that the rights for this clock belong to us," said the spokesperson.

SBB is looking for an "amicable agreement," likely meaning licensing and royalties into the future.

Check the clocks here:



Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 22 Sep 2012 12:20

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• 7 comments

• Morreale

  Innovation.
  

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  22.9.2012 14:59 #1

• xtago

  Don't license the design sue apple for stealing the design.
  
  No doubt they probably have a us patent on the clock design or in the process of getting one.

  22.9.2012 20:08 #2

• Mysttic

  Or if goes to US court, US jury will still rule in Apple's favor despite the obvious theft just to protect their own.

  22.9.2012 20:58 #3

• Bozobub

  But wait... Apple invented round analog clocks!

  22.9.2012 21:19 #4

• Mysttic

  Quote:
  But wait... Apple invented round analog clocks!
  I stand corrected. Apple also invented Urinals, Trees and of course Juice.

  22.9.2012 21:22 #5

• KillerBug

  Originally posted by Mysttic: Quote:
  But wait... Apple invented round analog clocks!
  I stand corrected. Apple also invented Urinals, Trees and of course Juice. You forget all the other things that Big Brother Steve created like, the Locomotive, Automobile, and Airplane...oh, and can't forget...they invented time too, so technically the clock has been infringing on their invention since before Apple was founded.
  

  
  

  23.9.2012 08:22 #6

• pmshah

  Ya'all got it all wrong. Apple will certainly win if sued. The Swiss railway clocks only show Swiss times where as Apple clocks will most probably show local time for the physical location of the phone as is determined by their map software !
  
  How much more innovative can you get? This would be an absolute first!!!

  2.10.2012 00:37 #7