Apple Paid $21M to License Swiss Federal Railway Clock Design

According to an Agence France-Press report, Apple has reportedly paid $21 million (17 million euros) to the Swiss Federal Railway to license their famous clock design, originally used in iOS 6 on the iPad without their permission.

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.

Back in September, SBB spokesperson Patricia Claivaz said: 

“We’re rather proud that a brand as important as Apple is using our design, it’s already on show in exhibitions in places like New York,”

The original clock design originated in 1944, designed by Swiss engineer Hans Hilfiker.