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Apple accused of ripping off famous Swiss clock design

news.cnet.com

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Re: Apple accused of ripping off famous Swiss clock design

#11

Post by long »

runjake wrote: post #6

I'm as hopeful that Apple gets served its own medicine like the next guy, but this seems more like a common sense design rather than a copy. In fact, I once made a mechanical clock that looks virtually identical to the iOS example and this was years before iOS was unleashed on the world. It's just thick lines and thin lines thrown together. The hands aren't even tapered like the Mondaine's. This seems like a desperat…

I'm as pro-Apple as they come but, to me, it does seem hard to distinguish this instance of Apple-Mondaine similarity from the recent Samsung-Apple similarity...

Re: Apple accused of ripping off famous Swiss clock design

#12

Post by mladenkovacevic »

No, no, no you guys don't understand. This is not a cheap rip-off. It's an homage and the Swiss will be honoured that their famous clock has been elevated to the high-art status of Apple design and innovation. The critical eye of an average iPhone user will appreciate the fine craftsmanship & precision of the painstaking work that went into translating the iconic clock into an exact digital replica.

Re: Apple accused of ripping off famous Swiss clock design

#14

Post by hcarvalhoalves »

runjake wrote: post #6

I'm as hopeful that Apple gets served its own medicine like the next guy, but this seems more like a common sense design rather than a copy. In fact, I once made a mechanical clock that looks virtually identical to the iOS example and this was years before iOS was unleashed on the world. It's just thick lines and thin lines thrown together. The hands aren't even tapered like the Mondaine's. This seems like a desperat…

The design is clearly inspired on Mondaine's one: the seconds handle is exactly the same.

I see it more of a homage than plagiarism, though. It would be plagiarism if it were a physical clock with the same design and they were selling it. It's not like Apple makes money selling this app.

Mondaine has the right to ask for change or compensation if they feel they got ripped off, though.

Re: Apple accused of ripping off famous Swiss clock design

#15

Post by afc »

runjake wrote: post #6

I'm as hopeful that Apple gets served its own medicine like the next guy, but this seems more like a common sense design rather than a copy. In fact, I once made a mechanical clock that looks virtually identical to the iOS example and this was years before iOS was unleashed on the world. It's just thick lines and thin lines thrown together. The hands aren't even tapered like the Mondaine's. This seems like a desperat…

I disagree. Why would it be "common sense design" to have the seconds handle in red with a thin line and a big circle at the end? Seems waaay too much of a coincidence to say "not a copy".

Re: Apple accused of ripping off famous Swiss clock design

#16

Post by wickedchicken »

On an unrelated note, I wish there was a wall clock with the real Swiss stop-to-go[1] action...

Edit: and [2] would make for a great 11.5" laptop sticker

[1] http://www.3quarks.com/en/StationClock/index.html

[2] http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b2/SBB-CFF-FFS.sv...

Re: Apple accused of ripping off famous Swiss clock design

#17

Post by mortenjorck »

runjake wrote: post #6

I'm as hopeful that Apple gets served its own medicine like the next guy, but this seems more like a common sense design rather than a copy. In fact, I once made a mechanical clock that looks virtually identical to the iOS example and this was years before iOS was unleashed on the world. It's just thick lines and thin lines thrown together. The hands aren't even tapered like the Mondaine's. This seems like a desperat…

I'm afraid this is as "obvious" a clock design as the iPhone trade dress is an "obvious" smartphone design. The Swiss clock is not without a number of highly identifiable idiosyncrasies, such as the circle on the second hand or the unusually thick, rectilinear minute markers.

That said, this isn't quite like-for-like. Apple isn't producing a clock for your home to compete with licensed replicas; it's producing an app that mimics the look of a famous (within a niche) clock; it's more like Samsung producing a kitchen appliance that looks like an iPhone than producing a smartphone that looks like an iPhone.

Re: Apple accused of ripping off famous Swiss clock design

#18

Post by aptwebapps »

hcarvalhoalves wrote: post #14
runjake wrote: post #6

I'm as hopeful that Apple gets served its own medicine like the next guy, but this seems more like a common sense design rather than a copy. In fact, I once made a mechanical clock that looks virtually identical to the iOS example and this was years before iOS was unleashed on the world. It's just thick lines and thin lines thrown together. The hands aren't even tapered like the Mondaine's. This seems like a desperat…

The design is clearly inspired on Mondaine's one: the seconds handle is exactly the same. I see it more of a homage than plagiarism, though. It would be plagiarism if it were a physical clock with the same design and they were selling it. It's not like Apple makes money selling this app. Mondaine has the right to ask for change or compensation if they feel they got ripped off, though.

"It's not like Apple makes money selling this app."

Apple is not a charity and this app, though very minor, is part of their overall strategy to make money. It's 100% a commercial endeavor.

Re: Apple accused of ripping off famous Swiss clock design

#19

Post by chimeracoder »

runjake wrote: post #6

I'm as hopeful that Apple gets served its own medicine like the next guy, but this seems more like a common sense design rather than a copy. In fact, I once made a mechanical clock that looks virtually identical to the iOS example and this was years before iOS was unleashed on the world. It's just thick lines and thin lines thrown together. The hands aren't even tapered like the Mondaine's. This seems like a desperat…

> this seems more like a common sense design rather than a copy.

That describes so many design patents (including but not limited to Apple's collection) that I've lost count.

Honestly, to my eye, they look identical but for the logo.

(Not that I'm endorsing the accusation, but many actual lawsuits, including Apple's own, are founded on far less clear evidence).

Re: Apple accused of ripping off famous Swiss clock design

#20

Post by hcarvalhoalves »

wickedchicken wrote: post #16

On an unrelated note, I wish there was a wall clock with the real Swiss stop-to-go[1] action... Edit: and [2] would make for a great 11.5" laptop sticker [1] http://www.3quarks.com/en/StationClock/index.html [2] http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b2/SBB-CFF-FFS.sv...

Wow, cool site! I'm obsessed with these clocks now.
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