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Thanks to iOS 6, the iPad finally has a clock application. Too bad Apple apparently stole the design from the iconic station clock of the Swiss Federal Railway. By “apparently” we mean completely and without remorse—like a bunch of highway bandits. Look at the two side-by-side above. What a shameless rip off.
The Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger reports that the iconic clock was originally designed by Hans Hilfiker in 1944. The railway owns both the trademark and copyright for the design, which it licenses to fancy watchmakers. According to the report, the railway is demanding financial compensation for Apple’s usage. Considering how many devices already use iOS 6 that could mean big trouble for Apple. Fair is fair! Apple just won a billion dollars from Samsung for exactly this kind of copying. Now it’ll be Apple’s turn to pay up. [Tages-Anzeiger via MacRumors]
Image of Swiss clock via the Wikimedia Commons
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Hmm. I just assumed it was a generic design, that clock, but fair enough. If they copied, then they should pay the price.
Different, I can see many. Yes colours are same. Hand lengths differ, the thickness and lengths of markings differ.. The circle in the middle…
And let’s not forget, one is a software application, the other an actual clock. What if I painted a picture of this design, would I get sued?
Pretty sure since both are being used as actual clocks the TM and Copyright will apply..
Well Its not though is it, the clock is not a mechanical Its a software application, what you see is just a skin, not the actual time keeping clock, you could change skins no doubt…
Are you saying that if I put some Golden Arches on my website that McDonald’s wouldn’t be knocking on my door in about 2min flat? Their trademark/copyright will cover more than just a physical clock.
The Galaxy S2 is a completely different length and width than the iPhone, is thinner and has a noticeably different front and back. Plus, the button on the front of it’s a rectangle, not a circle.
And let’s not forget that the two run completely different operating systems and are basically impossible to confuse upon more than a furious glance.
Or is the reality distortion field really so great that Apple genuinely can be nothing but victims?
Your argument would hold if Apple actually made an identical physical clock but no, this is two different categories. Samsung copied the iPhone and tried to resemble it’s own phones with it to trade dress. Notice that both are in the same category of mobile phones.
Don’t think that someone wanting to buy a Swiss clock may end up buying an iPhone…
But people might buy a 4/4s instead of a 5 …. sad times for apple .. oh wait selling 3 year old technology…
Apple must be laughing all the way to the bank…
Taf don’t be ridiculous. Do you have nothing better to do than defend apple all day every day?
Don’t you have anything better to do than bash Apple..
And finding differences doesn’t make it different overall. The overall design is CLEARLY a ripoff and only a fool could not see this.
Hey, Hey, NO! Come now, it’s very obvious that its a coincidence, as if apple has ever been to the dutch post office in question anyway, jeez.
I can only presume that you are being sarcastic, otherwise I would be amazed by the level of hypocrisy you are showing that would even make a US republican presidential candidate blush.
Ha ha…yes well I have a rep to live up too!
The iOS clock is not even nearly the same! There is no silver/chrome trim!
It’s not like you can patent squares with rounded edges so this has no chance…
…Oh wait
“Apple just won a billion dollars from Samsung for exactly this kind of copying.”
Trademark and copyright is different to patent protection.
Odds on their trademark and copyright my apply to physical manifestations and not screen-based variants. Or perhaps some poor apple graphical design employee is being strung up by the thumbs as we speak for making the blunder.
I could swear this design was in the public domain now.
Anyway, Jony should have known better.
“The railway owns both the trademark and copyright for the design, which it licenses to fancy watchmakers.”
Nope
The most annoying thing is I wear a Mondaine watch, and have done for years. Now it’s going to become “the apple fans’ watch”, which, frankly, sucks.
Normally, I’d say who cares, it’s just a frikken clock and the design isn’t that special. But considering Apples lawsuits, I hope they get what’s coming to them.
So long as Apple don’t now try and sue the Swiss Federal Railway, I’d typically ask, “who cares?”
However, being that it’s Apple, it’d be nice to see them get some comeuppance.
I hope they sue Apple, for millions it’s funny how all you fanboys are like “no, not the same” they stole this idea and many others sooner of later people will see Apple for what they are!
@tsjmcgrath a generic design design, yes so was the rectangle black phone until Apple said they own it.
I can’t be an Apple fan any more, they are losing everything which made them great.
There are similar clocks at Canary wharf http://www.freefoto.com/images/31/03/31_03_8—Clock–Canary-Wharf–London_web.jpg don’t know if this helps/hinders the argument, but it’s a data point for discussion.
Glad to see the dark shroud has lifted from your gravatar!
All thanks to the support of good friends like yourself mate.
Let Apple have it. I’m sure no-one will notice anyway.
It’s not like the Swiss are known for their timekeeping devices, right?
Apple seems to be going a bit cookoo…
Also – got get them Braun. Or whoever owns you these days.
Apple may have copied the design, but have they copied the way the clock works? May sound like a silly question but the second hand on the Swiss clock actually only takes 59 seconds to do a full rotation, then stops at the top for 1 second.
If he registered it in 1944 then the copyright is valid until 2039 (max 95 years from publication), so yes Apple should have licensed it.
And people, this isn’t a patented work, it’s a copyrighted design. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a functional clock or a poster on a wall. The design is the property of the Swiss Federal Railway.
I’m more concerned with the first sentence. “Thanks to iOS 6, the iPad finally has a clock application.” Wait, what?
Sometimes I almost feel sorry for Apple users.
Almost.
Google Chrome translator makes this amazing! http://www.blick.ch/news/wirtschaft/apple-klaut-bahnhofs-uhr-der-sbb-id2040821.html
But heres the English version – http://blickamabend.tumblr.com/post/31922866742/ipad-clock-apple-steals-from-swiss-railways
Nice find. Basically the article states that the SBB (owners of the design)are a bit pissed off that Apple didn’t ask for permission and they are currently contacting Apple to resolve the financial and legal issues, but overall they are quite proud that Apple chose such an iconic design. The Mondaine Group, who have an official license from the SBB, are looking in to what legal steps to take.