Apple reaches deal with Swiss rail firm over clock app
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos
A clock is pictured on a Apple's Ipad model on Oct 12, 2012 in Lausanne. Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) train operator said it has concluded a licensing agreement with Apple, ending their dispute concerning the use of their iconic clock, according to a statement. The tech giant used without agreement the famous clock design on one of its new apps iOS 6.-- PHOTO: AFP
ZURICH (REUTERS) - Apple, sensitive about protecting its own designs, has struck a deal to use Swiss railway operator SBB's trademark station clock design on its iPads and iPhones.
SBB, which holds the trademark for a 1944 design by Zurich-born engineer Hans Hilfiker, said last month it might challenge the US company after the clock appeared on a new operating system for the iPad.
"For the use of the clockface on certain Apple devices such as iPads and iPhones, the parties have negotiated an arrangement that enables Apple to use the SBB station clock under a licence agreement," SBB said on Friday.
The cost of the licensing fee and further detail of the agreement will remain confidential.
