Apple may have to change logo if...

**prompt** · 03-30-2006, 12:34 AM

This week the Apple Corps goes to the High Court seeking multimillion-pound damages against Apple Computer, the creators of the iPod, over their hugely successful iTunes Music Store.
Apple Corps, owned by the former Beatles and their heirs, still owns the licensing rights to Beatles’ products. It is claiming that the introduction of iTunes broke a $26 million settlement under which Apple Computer agreed to steer clear of the music business, for which the Beatles’ company retains the famous trademark. It is the latest clash in one of Britain’s longest-running corporate legal battles.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...105800,00.html

**Sponsor** · 03-30-2006 12:34 AM

**polar_bear** · 03-30-2006, 01:01 AM

hmmmm... funny thing is, in my 6 years working in my present job, when i tell anyone abt who i work for, nobody ever commented:"Oh! The music/Beatles/records company!"

hehehehe

pb

**macdizon** · 03-30-2006, 10:59 AM

Any ruling with regard to this dispute will only be effective in the UK. If the judgment is against Apple Computer, it will not only have to change it's logo but also it's name. I assume that what is actually being contested is the word mark "apple".

**Maccess** · 03-30-2006, 11:48 AM

Actually Apple Computer should just buy Apple Corps or the Apple Corps name. They may also run into trouble with McIntosh.

They had a similar agreement when Apple first used the Macintosh name--that Apple would steer clear of music and Hi-Fi equipment. Apple has the iPod Hi-Fi now.

I'm wondering what Apple would be known as in the UK? Mac-o-soft?

**Sph1nx** · 03-30-2006, 04:58 PM

Does anybody know if there's information available on what was covered in the last Apple vs. Apple lawsuit, and what was settled? It'll be easier to see where this might be leading if we know what was agreed upon last time.

**Gomi** · 03-30-2006, 07:55 PM

From the WikiPedia...

In 1978, Apple Records filed suit against Apple Computer for trademark infringement. The suit settled in 1981 with an amount of $80,000 being paid to Apple Corps. As a condition of the settlement, Apple Computer agreed to stay out of the music business. The case arose in 1989 again when Apple Corps sued, claiming Apple Computer's machines' ability to playback MIDI music was a violation of the 1981 settlement agreement. In 1991 another settlement of around $26.5 million was reached. [4] In September 2003 Apple Computer was sued by Apple Corps again, this time for introducing iTunes and the iPod which Apple Corps believed was a violation of the previous agreement by Apple not to distribute music. [5] The trial opened on March 29, 2006 in the UK. [6] In opening arguments, Apple Corps' lawyer said that in 2003, shortly before the launch of Apple's on-line music store, Apple Corps rejected a $1 million offer from Steve Jobs to buy the rights to the Apple Corps name.

Suing for MIDI playback? Geez...

This is just Paul McCartney trying to make some money off Apple's recent popularity, probably realizing that he makes crappy songs... and symphonies. :P Steve should counter sue for stupidity + lack of musical talent.

What's next? Trees suing Apple for the Macintosh name? :P

**loko__loko** · 03-31-2006, 05:41 PM

poor beatles, they are now just earning money from lawsuits....

instead of paying settlement, they should just sit on the case (philippines style) and wait for apple corp to go bunkrupt then buy it out