Apple strikes deal for using 'iconic' Swiss railway clock design for iPhone 5, iPads

London - Tech giant Apple has struck a deal to use a Swiss railway operator's trademark station clock design on iPads and iPhones.

The Swiss firm, SBB, holds the trademark for a 1944 clock design by Zurich-born engineer Hans Hilfiker.

The company said last month it might challenge the U.S. company after the clock appeared on a new operating system for the iPad.

The firm has now said that both the parties have negotiated an arrangement that allows Apple to use the clock design, the Daily Mail reports.

"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 license agreement," SBB said.

"It is a design icon that has obviously lost none of its appeal in the digital age," the firm said.
 
"Even now, it symbolises the innovation and reliability that are key qualities attributed to both SBB and Switzerland as a whole," it added.

According to the paper, the cost of the licensing fee and further detail of the agreement will remain confidential.