Clock on iOS6 iPads is an homage to a 1944 design by Hans Hilfiker

[sp332]

Is it not an explicit reference to this design? I didn't know the specific source, but it's so iconic I automatically assumed it was a copy of something.

[pazimzadeh]

I would say tribute, not copy. The calculator app resembles the 1977 Braun calculator: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2007/07/iphones-design/.

[pan69]

Ah OK. So when Apple steals design its a tribute but when Samsung does it it's stealing. Noted.

[ghshephard]

This is an homage - Apple makes it absolutely clear as to whether they adopted Hilfiker's clock for the iPad, whether they adopted the 1977 Braun calculator for the iPhone, or Dieter Brahm's Tape recorder for the Podcast app. They are paying tribute to those iconic designs.

I guess the question is - whether someone who was going to purchase Hilfiker's clock for their wall, will mistakenly purchase an iPad instead...

Seriously though - I have to believe in this IP excited environment that we're in, that the lawyer must have signed off (in triplicate) before they released this clock on the iPad.

[sp332]

Tiny nitpick, but it's Dieter Rams' tape recorder.

[buro9]

IOS6 clock images here: http://www.idownloadblog.com/2012/06/11/new-in-ios-6-a-new-c...

Swiss Railway clock images here: http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=swiss+railway+clock&tbm...

[Bud]

I have this exact design on my wrist; just get a Mondaine Big Date watch. Extremely readable and elegant design. I get comments on it all the time. And it's quite affordable!

http://www.amazon.com/Mondaine-White-Black-Leather-A627-3030...

[pohl]

It's just a rectangle with very round corners.

[manaskarekar]

1. Is the design protected? 2. Has anyone confirmed Apple did not license this from whoever holds the rights to the design?

[anonymouz]

Another submission of the same story contains a link to a (German) newspaper article at http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/digital/mobil/Apple-kopiert-die-... .

There it is claimed that the SBB (Swiss Federal Railway company) holds the copyright and trademark on the clock. A representative claims that the use is indeed unauthorized, and that they are contacting Apple, trying to seek a legal and financial solution.

[Steko]

A little more info here. The design is still protected and Swiss Railways will certainly end up with some nice cash from this:

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/Apple_takes_a_bite_of_S...

[nchapman]

I would say, like the calculator on the iPhone, they are paying homage to that design.

[johansch]

What kind of BS is that?

You mean, as in "I will now pay homage to HBO by torrenting the second season of Carnivale"?

[mtgx]

The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.

- Albert Einstein

[president]

So...they're paying homage to the clock face.

[jonny_eh]

Oops?