It is hardly a secret that the Apple iPhone 5 has been hitting the headlines since its launch in September, and not always for the right reasons.
Although the handset has become a bestseller as was widely expected, numerous issues with the device have been reported. These range from inaccurate data on the new Google Maps application, the camera capturing a mysterious purple light when taking photos, and the aluminum casing of the device scratching very easily.
Another issue which has recently come to light regards the clock design used as part of the new iOS 6 software. The design of this clock will be particularly familiar to people in Switzerland, as this is the official clock design used at railway stations in the country. It turns out that the design of this clock is copyrighted, and the rights belong to Swiss Federal Railways and has also been licensed for use on various watch brands.
Swiss Federal Railways has accused Apple of using the design of the clock without permission, and as a result Apple has paid $21,000,000 to continue using the design. At first, this seems like an extremely large amount especially when Apple can simply redesign its clock and roll it out as part of the next iOS update. However, we must remember that Apple is one of the richest companies in the world and currently has over $100 billion in liquid capital, so $21 million is hardly a big deal to the California based technology giant.
Clearly, Apple cannot be bothered with a lengthy court case with this issue, which it has notorious for over the last couple of years, most notably with its rivalry with Samsung. The South Korean manufacturer was ordered to pay Apple over $1 billion in damages earlier this year after a US court ruled that Samsung used patented Apple technology in various models in its Galaxy smartphone range.
The Apple iPhone 5 has hit the headlines for a number of reasons since its launch in September. Although the device quickly became a bestseller as was widely expected, numerous issues have been reported with the phone, ranging from its easily scratched aluminum casing, inaccurate Apple Maps application and various other problems with the iOS 6 software.
Few people could have guessed one of the recent reasons why the device has hit the headlines. The iOS 6 software update includes a redesigned clock, but it turns out that Apple has copied the design of the official clock of the Swiss railway system.
Swiss Federal Railways recently accused Apple of copying the design of its clocks used on railway stations throughout Switzerland, which is also been licensed for use on various watch and clock brands.
However, it appears that Apple has used the same design without permission. Rather than pursue a lengthy court case (which Apple has become notorious for in recent years, particularly in its rivalry with Samsung), Apple has agreed to pay a whopping $21 million for a license simply to continue using the same clock design.
Initially, this seems like a large amount to pay when Apple could have simply redesigned its clock and roll it out as part of the next software update to compatible devices. However, $21 million is comparatively very little to a company which currently has over $100 billion in liquid capital. Visit our website for the bestselling iPhone 5 Contract Deals and cheapest iPhone 4S Offers.
The clock design in question has been used by the Swiss Railway system for years, and is an icon in Switzerland. Therefore it is not much of a surprise that Swiss Federal Railways have asked for such a large sum for Apple to continue using the design.
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