14 DAY TRIAL // The Swiss Federal Railway service is accusing Apple of copying their iconic clock design originally made by Hans Hilfiker. And there’s not much to say in Apple’s defense, this time around.
While the tech media is used to report on other companies copying Apple, the scales are now tipped in the other direction.
The Swiss clock originally designed by Hans Hilfiker, inherited, trademarked and copyrighted by the Swiss Federal Railways service, looks identical to one of the clock “faces” in Apple’s iPad Clock app. Have a look at the comparison above.
In fact, since the iPad maker is being accused of copying, we should say Apple’s clock looks like Hilfiker’s.
According to reports, the Swiss Federal Railway has been licensing the use of its clock design for a while now. And Apple isn’t paying for it.
Of course, this could be one of those rare instances when the designer thinks up a model unknowingly influenced by a faint memory. Perhaps Apple should ask around the offices to see who took a trip to Switzerland in the past few years.