Last month we heard that Apple had reached a licensing deal with Swiss Rail for the use of the Swiss Railway Clock design in Apple’s iOS 6, after the new design was released with iOS 6 without Apple seeking approval of Swiss Rail.
Now details have emerged on how much Apple has paid Swiss Rail to use their iconic design in the latest version of their mobile OS. Apple is paying the company $21 million to use the design.
US tech giant Apple has dished out 20 million Swiss francs ($21 million, 17 million euros) to compensate Swiss national rail operator SBB for using its famous clock without permission, a Swiss daily reported Saturday.
The company agreed in October to pay the lump sum so it could continue using SBB’s Swiss-designed station clock face on its iPads and iPhones, the Tages-Anzeiger daily reported on its website, quoting several unnamed sources.
The History and Significance of the Swiss Railway Clock
The Swiss Railway Clock was originally designed by Swiss engineer Hans Hilfiker in 1944. Hilfiker, who was both an engineer and a designer, created the clock for the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). The clock’s design is renowned for its simplicity, precision, and functionality. It features a clean, easy-to-read face with bold hour and minute markers, and a distinctive red second hand that pauses briefly at the 12 o’clock position before jumping forward to the next minute. This unique movement is not just a design quirk but a functional feature that ensures all the clocks in the railway system are synchronized.
The design has become an iconic symbol of Swiss punctuality and precision, and it is still used by the Swiss Railways today. The clock’s design has been so influential that it has been adopted in various forms around the world, and it is often cited as a prime example of functional design in horology.
Apple’s Licensing Deal and Its Implications
Apple’s decision to incorporate the Swiss Railway Clock design into iOS 6 without initially seeking permission from Swiss Rail led to a significant licensing deal. The $21 million payment underscores the value and importance of intellectual property rights, especially when it comes to iconic designs. This deal not only compensates Swiss Rail for the use of their design but also sets a precedent for how tech companies should approach the use of established designs in their products.
The inclusion of the Swiss Railway Clock design in Apple’s iOS 6 was met with mixed reactions. While some praised Apple for recognizing and incorporating a classic design, others criticized the company for not seeking permission beforehand. The licensing deal, however, has resolved these issues and allowed Apple to continue using the design in its products.
This incident highlights the importance of respecting intellectual property and the potential financial implications of failing to do so. For Swiss Rail, the deal has brought significant financial compensation and global recognition of their iconic design. For Apple, it serves as a reminder of the importance of due diligence and respect for existing designs and trademarks.
The licensing deal between Apple and Swiss Rail for the use of the Swiss Railway Clock design is a significant event in the world of design and intellectual property. It underscores the value of iconic designs and the importance of respecting intellectual property rights. The $21 million payment not only compensates Swiss Rail but also highlights the financial and reputational risks associated with using established designs without permission. This deal serves as a valuable lesson for other companies in the tech industry and beyond.
Source AP
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