Swiss rail accuses Apple of copying station clocks for iOS 6 operating system

Published on 22/09/2012 01:19

Switzerland’s national rail company accused Apple yesterday of stealing the iconic look of its station clocks for the iOS 6 operating system used by iPhone and iPad mobile devices.

Both designs have a round clock face with black indicators, except for the second hand, which is red.

A spokesman for the Swiss Federal Railways, or SBB, said the Apple design was “identical” to the one pioneered by the rail company in 1944.

“We are proud that this icon of clock design is being used by a globally successful company,” said Reto Kormann, but he noted that Apple had not asked for permission before doing so.

“We’ve approached Apple and told them that the rights for this clock belong to us.”