electronic device screen visual's copyright

[gerizmones]

there is an electronic clock which displays hours in words (i.e. Half past ten instead of 10:30). It displays white words which are positioned in the middle of the black rectangular display. Nothing else.

I am considering to make a mobile application (i.e. for iPhone), which would do exactly the same - display time in words. It would look quite similar to the display of the watch, as the application would show background and words in the middle. Will I infringe any copyright?

Thanks in advance for answers.

 

[army judge]

there is an electronic clock which displays hours in words (i.e. Half past ten instead of 10:30). It displays white words which are positioned in the middle of the black rectangular display. Nothing else.

I am considering to make a mobile application (i.e. for iPhone), which would do exactly the same - display time in words. It would look quite similar to the display of the watch, as the application would show background and words in the middle. Will I infringe any copyright?

Thanks in advance for answers.

I'm not an engineer, just an old, country lawyer.

That said, from what you describe, I see no copyright or patent prohibitions on what you're proposing to produce.

It isn't like you're ripping off the patented Movado "museum" watchface.

Go for it, make money, produce stuff, pay taxes, get the economy moving.

Good luck!!!

 

[Michael Wechsler]

I agree. It's a cool idea but I doubt that anyone can copyright (or more likely patent or trademark) there appearance of the bare words that are used in the English language in the fashion you describe. I'd still do a search although, to me, this would seem to fly in the face of the whole goal of what patent and trademark law is supposed to protect. Sounds like a good idea. Welcome to the family of Apple developers!

 

[gerizmones]

there area few specifics:

-in the clock, the is an option to choose languages (there will be the same option in the app)
-in the clock, each time can be displayed in different ways (i.e. nine thirty, half past nine, half to ten, thirty minutes to ten, etc). i am not sure if i need this feature, but i am considering it.
-there is already a mobile application based on the exact design of the clock (made by the clock producer)(that application is made for a different mobile platform)

does the above change anything?

 

[army judge]

there area few specifics:

-in the clock, the is an option to choose languages (there will be the same option in the app)
-in the clock, each time can be displayed in different ways (i.e. nine thirty, half past nine, half to ten, thirty minutes to ten, etc). i am not sure if i need this feature, but i am considering it.
-there is already a mobile application based on the exact design of the clock (made by the clock producer)(that application is made for a different mobile platform)

does the above change anything?

Yes, it sure does, change things.

It makes them better for you, with the language support.

Do you plan to offer Asian, Arabic, or Russian language support, too?

Will you be able to choose PRINT or SCRIPT?

How about colors, will it offer different colors?

In fact, when you're all done with this, you might look into a patent or trademark.

I think your idea is unique.