Swiss Federal Railways Says Apple Copied Its Iconic Railway Clock

[kis]

For those who think it's ok to blatantly copy non-competing companies: apple recently sued a German company for making an egg cup and calling it EiPott (Ei = egg in German, Pott = cup).

I really hope the SBB sue Apple's asses for that one.

 

[LagunaSol]

Remember... Jobs said it himself: good artists copy, great artists steal.

Thank you for being the 8 billionth person to take this quote completely out of context.

 

[Henriok]

Just pay up, Apple. Just pay.

 

[janderson0719]

Tim Cook: ****! Samsung is gonna rip me a new ******* for this.

 

[dukebound85]

There's really no dispute here, but c'mon, a rounded rectangle? Are we going to start accusing Maxis of copying Sherwin-Williams' wallpaper because there's a similar shade of blue in the Sims?

see how silly that sounds too?

I agree with you

 

[STiNG Operation]

really, samsung probably called them up xD

Don't really see how this is valid.....

It was merely a copy of the clocks appearance. Without having made a physical copy how can they attempt to file suit?????????????

 

[kriskay]

Apple: "We would try to reference this occurrence but unfortunately our new mapping solution cannot locate Switzerland"

 

[S.B.G]

I have a clock on my wall that looks almost identical, save for the round second-hand.

 

[LagunaSol]

Apple has brought this on themselves by being sue happy and have made a lot of enemies even outside the phone world.

Yes, I'm sure the Swiss wouldn't have cared about this if Apple hadn't sued Samsung.

 

[bsolar]

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!

Yes, it does move smoothly (at least until it reaches 00): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJs2R0tX_Zk

 

[TallManNY]

I seriously hope Apple gets slapped BIG TIME for this one. Really, really, big. $1 billion dollars big.

I agree with the principle of what Apple said - copying is wrong. I agree the original Samsung Galaxy S interface was just TOO close and Apple should've got something (though not $1 billion) from Samsung for it. But NOT any other Samsung device. They're not that similar at all.

This is a perfect copy people, even the original SGS wasn't a perfect replica of the interface.

P.S. Upon closer inspection it's not a perfect replica. The minute ticks and the arc of the hour hand are a bit different. Still, SO CLOSE it's virtually indistinguishable. Even the original SGS interface was very obviously not an iPhone at first glace.

This is a copy but a billion dollar lawsuit is not the way the law works. Apple has now been informed of the infringement. Apple can cease infringing (easy software update), it could be required to pay over profits from use of the infringement but that is zero since iOS was given away for free and certainly the clock icon is meaningless in terms of the update, or negotiate a price for the license (might be expensive, might not be). There is no billion dollar issue here.

But apple looks mighty dumb and some designer or fact checker might be getting fired today.

 

[Shade12]

Ahh Snap! This has 2 billion dollar lawsuit written all over it!

Maybe who know : D

 

[subsonix]

Apple has brought this on themselves by being sue happy and have made a lot of enemies even outside the phone world. They deserve everything they get.

Are you suggesting that the Swiss Federal Railway is suing Apple as a revenge on Samsung's behalf? Not because you know, the clock looks exactly the same.

 

[Mintymintyfresh]

Modern Design isn't copy-rightable

I don't think that you can copyright modern design. This applies to graphic design, fashion, furniture design, etc.... You can copy an Eames chair, and modify something minor and it's fine. I don't think the Swiss Federal Railways have even a chance at winning this.

In the design world, designers don't have patent protection. They just move on with new designs rather than dealing with lawsuits.

 

[crobb]

it's obviously different. all three hands are pointing in different directions. the railway clock reads 12:40, while the iPad clock reads 9:38. case closed.

Twice a day the Apple clock will be an exact copy of the Swiss one.

 

[crackbookpro]

Haha... a clock.

They want to get into discussions about that clock... I have that same clock, one different color for the second-hand, right in my office lab, except I think my clock hanging on the wall is a leeeegit copy(ooooops).

We will keep on hearing crap like this, and sadly, I'd bet in the long haul, everyone will realize that Apple is still for the consumer, and innovating for the consumer's best regards nonetheless. Other companies, in particular Samsung, are so petty now after the court ruling in August, companies will follow suit around the world & try to sue anything 'Apple', knowingly with all the assets Apple has.

Let me remind some of those who may forget/have forgetten - Apple keeps on stepping up the bar & making profits, while other companies usually cut costs & keep on making profits.

I can't believe we're having a discussion about a clock, but actually, now after the big court ruling on Intellectual Property in favor of Apple last month, I am not surprised one bit...

 

[ja.son]

It is well known that Apple has paid tribute to classic designs that have inspired them since the 80s. The Dieter Rams-designed Braun calculator is a classic example. (Apple actually used to sell the Braun calculator in gift shop.)

You can also find the DNA for most Apple projects if you look through the catalog of Braun/Rams designs. This has been widely documented and is a great thing.

That being said, they should be paying Swiss Federal Railways for the right to use the clock.

 

[EricNau]

So, the only bit of iOS 6 that Apple got right, is... copied.

 

[NorEaster]

Thank you for being the 8 billionth person to take this quote completely out of context.

Context or not, it's fairly obvious the clock artwork / visual design was stolen. You can't deny that... or are you going to defend Apple like a blowhard fanatic?

For the record, I'm typing this on my 15" MBP. I've bought both the iPhone 3G and iP4 the first day they went on sale, and I have an iPad 1st gen as well. However, I'm not a blind Apple follower who falls down at the alter of Jobs. The level of vindictiveness that many people on this board throw at Samsung / Google / Android is astonishing, given the amount of copying that also exists in Apple / Mac / iOS.

 

[mikefla]

Notice they mentioned, I quote "The aim is a legal, as well as a financial solution". I think that says it all

-Mike

 

[shartypants]

What? Apple copied something? Actually I am very surprised that Apple would do that. Personally I don't like that clock, they should just change it to something nicer looking - like the ones they use on the previous iPod Nano, those are nice!

 

[J.acks]

OMG!! Just because Apple won the Samsung case, now everyone is taking advantage of every single possibility to sue Apple.

Come on.. This is ridiculous!!

Maybe the next time I put a tick on my website, I will get sue by Nike!

 

[kis]

I don't think that you can copyright modern design. This applies to graphic design, fashion, furniture design, etc.... You can copy an Eames chair, and modify something minor and it's fine. I don't think the Swiss Federal Railways have even a chance at winning this.

In the design world, designers don't have patent protection.

In your dreams - in Switzerland, the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman are patented, just like thousands of clock and watch designs

 

[agenda893]

If anyone should sue apple it's Dieter Rams and Braun. Jony Ive has been ripping them off his entire tenure at Apple. The whole good artists copy, great artists steal ******** doesn't impress me.

 

[johncarync]

Hey, Swiss Federal Railway, Apple acquired the rights to your clock design when they bought Switzerland a few months ago.