Swiss clock design argument settled

Apple has agreed to pay the Swiss national railway (SBB) for use of its iconic clock design in iOS 6's Clock application. Last month, Apple was accused of plagiarizing the design, made famous by watchmaker Mondaine, and an SBB spokesperson said that it would be seeking "an amicable agreement and compensation" from the electronics giant. More at The Verge.

You have to wonder how this happened in the first place. What on earth made someone at Apple think they could just use it?

Comments

[Rui Duarte]

The same kind of people that thought Samsung could produce Apple-looking gadgets :-)
On the other hand it just shows Apple people have good taste, because, as I remember you saying Shaun... a beautiful clock design.

[Shaun]

Yes, the fact that Apple has been so intent on stopping people copying them is why I ask the question?

[Neil]

(a) doing something and asking forgiveness, rather than refraining and asking permission, can be useful in getting things done which might otherwise be delayed/not happen at all;
(b) on what basis do you think that someone could not use a clock face? I wouldn't automatically assume that everything is protected and restricted from re-use.

[Shaun]

"on what basis do you think that someone could not use a clock face? I wouldn't automatically assume that everything is protected and restricted from re-use."

Maybe not, but if you are going to use something as a prominent part of an app in your operating system, wouldn't you check? Seems awfully careless.

[Neil]

Seems awfully careless

Or cleverly planned; perhaps Apple *did* know, but thought they'd be turned down — so they did it, and just came to a settlement.

[Shaun]

Maybe, but would it be more expensive after the fact than before? I guess there is no right answer to that question, but would be interested in your opinion on that.

[Neil]

would it be more expensive after the fact than before?

Perhaps — but perhaps the Swiss rightsholder was more likely to negotiate a figure after the event, whereas, beforehand, they might have been minded just to say no. Perhaps using it was more important to Apple than the sum they have to pay for the right to do so; any premium may have been worth it to them.

Pure speculation, of course.

[elbowz]

There is a mantra that I use in business: 'Its sometimes easier to seek forgiveness than permission'

This seems to be the route Apple have taken here...