petros Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 The Beatles have taken Apple Computer Inc. to court again, this time in a legal dispute over the Cupertino computer company's new online music venture, the iTunes Music Store. Apple Corps. Ltd, the London company owned by the surviving members and families of the legendary band, has asked a London court to prevent the computer firm from using its logo on its new iTunes Music Store, claming it is a violation of a 1991 settlement between the two Apples. Indeed, the two Apples have long fought over the use of each others' names and logos. But in 1991, the computer company agreed not to enter the music business to avoid confusion with the Beatle's music company, Apple Corps. Now, in a lawsuits that became public this week, Apple Corps. alleges the new iTunes Music Store, which has sold more than 10 million downloadable songs since its launch in April, violates that agreement. The suit, which was filed on July 4 in the High Court, Chancery Division, in London, Apple Corps. seeks an unspecified amount of damages and an injunction against Apple Computer. "The Agreement was concerned with the future use of the name "Apple" and use of the companies' respective well known logos of apples," according to a statement released Friday by Apple Corps, the holding company owned by Yoko Ono Lennon, Paul McCartney, Richard Starkey (better known as Ringo Starr) and the estate of George Harrison. "Specifically complaint (SIC) is made over the use by Apple Computer of the word "Apple" and apple logos in conjunction with its new application for down-loading pre-recorded music from the Internet," the statement said. When asked for comment on the suit, Katie Cotton, Apple's vice president of worldwide communications for Apple Computer, responded with a short statement from the company. "Over a decade ago, Apple signed an agreement with Apple Corps, a business controlled by the Beatles and their heirs, which specifies the rights each company would have to use the Apple trademark. Unfortunately, Apple and Apple Corps now have different interpretations of this agreement and will need to ask a court to resolve this dispute. http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/pictures/2003/09/12/bu_beatles-pepperparty.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marzzz Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 Other than managing the Beatles' back catalog, does Apple Corps Ltd really do anything anymore? Apple Computer is much bigger than Apple Corps Ltd, and I imagine iTunes, etc. is so lucrative that Apple Computer will push this to the limit..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phait Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 I read about Apple Records suing Apple Computer yesterday when I was reading the history of Apple Computer.. so when I saw the headline today, I just laughed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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