What gaffe? I'm sure Apple has paid much greater licensing fee's to other companies for their intellectual property. What do you think it cost them to pay for "iPhone" (a cisco trademark?) Or purchasing a license for one-click-payment from amazon? Or any of hundreds of other IP purchases that Apple makes.
I don't know if I would have considered the clock worth $22mm, but I do have to admit, it's beautiful. Before Apple released their clock App, I ended up paying $5.00 for an App that was roughly equivalent in functionality, though nowhere near as gorgeous.
All in All - $22mm was probably seen by Apple as the right price to license one of the worlds most beautiful clock designs.
It was a gaffe because they stole the design and got a license only after being called out publicly by the Swiss. All the while being involved in huge law suits with companies who they claim stole their look and feel. Do as I say, not as I do...
Apple is extraordinarily sophisticated when it comes to IP issues. Any artwork or homages that they've placed in their product are either (A) Cleared for coverage or (B) Have some path to such.
Anything you see in IOS is akin to a song that would hear in a movie or a TV Show - hundreds of hours, if not thousands, have gone into ensuring the legality/coverage of all of the major elements that you see there.
Don't for a second believe that Apple didn't already have a negotiating position, and value, and best-negotiable-alternative (BNA) identified prior to placing that swiss clock into IOS.
This isn't their first, second, or even hundredth time at this particular rodeo.
The games that HTC/Google/Motorola/Apple/Samsung are also, all playing out according to a well known IP strategy. Each of the parties is acquiring IP, establishing their patent positions/strength, going to court where needed, and engaging in settlements likewise.
At the level which these companies play - their is no "Steal", simply a stronger (or weaker) game theoretic negotiating position which plays out...
Anybody how has legal bills in excess of $100 million a year has left the realm of good/bad, and moved into win/lose/profit/loss.
Easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission?
They're sitting on 120 Billion dollars. 22 million is only 0.183% or that. I have a hard time believing they intentionally made such a hypocritical move to save 22 million dollars.
I don't know if I would have considered the clock worth $22mm, but I do have to admit, it's beautiful. Before Apple released their clock App, I ended up paying $5.00 for an App that was roughly equivalent in functionality, though nowhere near as gorgeous.
All in All - $22mm was probably seen by Apple as the right price to license one of the worlds most beautiful clock designs.