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Swiss Federal Railways Says Apple Copied Its Iconic Railway Clock

rei101 said:
I see a graphic designer being fired...
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That's most likely what happened. It's very difficult to control this kind of stuff but even if its a direct copy of the design, this is not an actual watch/clock product. SFR should be happy they've used it in the app.
 
Hmmm....not as many defenders for Apple in this thread as I thought. If you got the fanboys angry, then that designer is gonna be fired!:eek:
 
Yup that looks like a copy. Already seeing users defending Apple.. Clearly some people seem to have double standards, when another company copies all hell breaks loose, when Apple copies its no problem...

People need to be objective and stop defending Apple or any other companies every move..
 
Yamcha said:
Yup that looks like a copy. Already seeing users defending Apple.. Clearly some people seem to have double standards, when another company copies all hell breaks loose, when Apple copies its no problem...

People need to be objective and stop defending Apple or any other companies every move..
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Agreed. But that's human nature.
 
So, they reported this to a newspaper, and later they will go to court?

Are we sure these people aren't from America?
 
For fun, take a look at the clock in the clock app on your iPhone. Same color scheme but interesting that the iPad clock app has the clock to be nearly identical to the Swiss version.
 
Just for "humor" sake

"Anonymous caller": Hey Swiss Federal Railways. This is errr Mr. "Sung." but you can call me Sam. Have you seen Apple's clock app? Looks familiar huh?

Swiss Federal Railways: Thanks Mr. Sung!
 
macMD said:
If the SBB has a copyright on the design and Apple used it willfully without permission and/or compensation then they are in violation. It has nothing to do with a win in one court or another by one defendant or Apple.

As noted in the Samsung lawsuit Apple accused them of using icons that were too similar to theirs. So graphics are a point of contention and in Apple's eyes worth defending.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
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Actually.....what's good for the goose...is good for Gandy!:D



DGancy_v_10may12_3_DG_240x360.jpg
 
Windlasher said:
Apple should mail them a check for $9.38.
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We don't have checks anymore in switzerland... but that's not the point.

This clock is really something special, we love it and it is part of Switzerland's identity, even when the trademark belongs to the SBB.

I love both, my country and Apple(-products). In this case it's very obvious that Apple just copied the design. This is not right, especially not after this Samsung story.

I hope they can find an agreement that respects the copyright and will allow Apple the use the design. After all it is nice to see that they opted for a little bit of swiss design.

By the way, we are definitely an Apple country... with some hardcore androidians ;-)
 
coolfactor said:
When watching Apple's version, the second hand moves smoothly, without "ticking" like most clocks. Does this Swiss Railway clock operate the same way, with a smooth-moving second hand? That would be further evidence of an intentional copy. Bad Apple!
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If you understand german I recommend this link: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schweizer_Bahnhofsuhr

The hand for the seconds is not ticking but moving continuously. It used to stop at 12 for two seconds. This had something to do with the synchronisation of all the clocks at the station.
 
Yamcha said:
Yup that looks like a copy. Already seeing users defending Apple.. Clearly some people seem to have double standards, when another company copies all hell breaks loose, when Apple copies its no problem...

People need to be objective and stop defending Apple or any other companies every move..
Click to expand...

Could not agree more
 
The clock company can't proof the damage caused by apple using their design. Instead, they may show their sales increased. I don't think they will waste their money to actually file a lawsuit.
 
You've gotta be kidding me. I could have sworn we had a clock like this at my old elementary school. I thought it was a generic design.
 
They may license the design for sale in merchandise but is the actual look TRADEMARKED/REGISTERED here in the US or North America?

If not then good ****** luck.
 
BRLawyer said:
This is called willingness to pay - the average Swiss customer is too passive and stupid to complain against the outrageously high prices of his country - that's how they preserve their artificial prosperity, which is of course financed by a healthy current account based on luxury products and financial services (as well as dictators' money, of course).

Not to mention customer service, which is surely among the worst in the world except for public services like the Post and SBB (i.e., the customer is NEVER right).

And yes, I do live in Switzerland.
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Calling the average people of a whole country stupid? Why are you in Switzerland when you hate us?
 
bacaramac said:
I'm sure Apple will happily pay the $10 in damages. How could this possibly "hurt" them? I see that it is licensed, but I can't imagine this appearing on the iPad would impact them outside of them wanting the lic fees.

I do however believe this is an identical copy. I wonder how Apple gets their images. If an employee creates these, someone is gonna be fired for not doing their job and actually creating the icon and instead they copied.
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Apple often uses iconic designs like this in their products. I think they do it on purpose, and I like that they do it.

They must not have known the design was protected and licensed by the company. This won't be a problem, though: the railway has every reason to license it. The only issue will be the price. If Apple doesn't think it's worth it they'll just change the clock face, but I hope they keep it. It's a nice clock.
 
KindredMAC said:
They may license the design for sale in merchandise but is the actual look TRADEMARKED/REGISTERED here in the US or North America?

If not then good ****** luck.
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I bought my partner a Mondaine watch last Xmas, it's a well known design classic. I'm surprised it's so little known by people who are prepared to pay a premium for well designed Apple products.

I'm staggered that Apple thought they could just copy it.
 
BRLawyer said:
Not to mention customer service, which is surely among the worst in the world except for public services like the Post and SBB (i.e., the customer is NEVER right).

And yes, I do live in Switzerland.
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Germany is worse. Maybe it's a language thing?
 
So just change it, I don't think it's that great anyway. Who here will be disappointed if they don't use it?
 
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