Apple’s release of iOS 6 yesterday has brought all kinds of good, bad, and indifferent feelings from users all over the world. What would an Apple release be without a stew of lawsuits? (It wouldn’t be an Apple release.) So with the newest operating system iOS 6 came a new Clock interface. Now why in the world would anyone throw up a fuss about the interface of an analog clock? Well according to the Swiss Federal Railways in Switzerland, this interface is an exact replica of their iconic clock, and Apple didn’t ask their permission to use it.As ridiculous as it sounds, I’m thinking everyone wants to dip their hand into Apple’s pockets. Being as how society has gained a larger sense of entitlement, lawsuits fly every day for a lot more mundane reasons. MacRumors has passed along a report from a Swedish newspaper Tages Anzeiger that stated,
SBB is the sole owner of the trademark and copyright of the railway clock. The railway company will now get in touch with Apple. The aim is a legal, as well as a financial solution. It is not right that one [Apple] simply copies the design.
The clock at the railway was designed by a very prominent engineer and designer Hans Hilfiker, however the trademark and copyright for the clock, are owned by the Swiss Federal Railway service. This is supposedly a staple of the company’s image.
The clock’s face can definitely be licensed, and has been licensed to many companies, although Apple did not request to license the clocks face for their new operating system. Therefore SBB is exploring the options of legal action against Apple. What do you think about the discrepancy? Too much hype over a clock, or sue the hell out of Apple Inc.?