Apple Paid $21 Million to License Swiss Railway Clock?

Apple reportedly paid 20 million Swiss francs to national rail operator SBB after using its famous clock design without permission, according to the AFP.

The company agreed in October to pay the lump sum so it could continue using SBB's Swiss-designed station clock face on its iPads and iPhones, the Tages-Anzeiger daily reported on its website, quoting several unnamed sources.

The Swiss Federal Railway service (Schweizerische Bundesbahnen) accused Apple of copying their iconic clock for the iPad Clock app without permission back in September.
The clock was designed in 1944 by Swiss engineer Hans Hilfiker. At the time spokesperson Patricia Claivaz said, "We're rather proud that a brand as important as Apple is using our design."


In order an agreement between the companies was announced. "For the use of the SBB station clock on devices like iPad and iPhone, the Swiss Federal Railways SBB and Apple have agreed and signed a license agreement. The parties have agreed to give the amount of the license fee as well as other details about the Convention any further information."

Read More [via Benny]