The Register is just one of
a number of publications/Websites that note that every time Apple
Computer Inc has gone up against Apple Corp it has come away with a
bloody nose. Apple Corp was the Beatles' holding company and it sued
Apple in 1980 for trademark infringement. Apple settled, paid a
substantial amount in damages and agreed to restrict the Apple brand to
computers only and steer clear of the music business. Apple Corp sued
Apple Computer again when the latter included technology to allow users
to play music on their computers. And now the iPod and the iTunes music
store.
"When it first happened with the iPod, we said, "What could they be
thinking?" said a Beatles legal insider, who agreed that posters
announcing the iPod from "AppleMusic" were among the most egregious
violations. "They knew we had the agreement, and that we'd won a lot of
money from them already." quoted MacCentral
My personal view? This isn't going to be resolved until Steve Jobs sits
down with Paul McCartney and the two of them thrash out a deal.
Update: Both sides have now
issued statements on the matter. What's interesting is Apple Computer's
response. Normally defendants in these cases use phrases like 'no
merit' and 'vigourously defend.' Instead, Apple's tone was quite
matter-of-fact.
"Over a decade ago, Apple signed an agreement with Apple Corps, a
business controlled by the Beatles and their heirs, which specified the
rights each company would have to use the Apple trademark," said
Apple's statement. "Unfortunately, Apple and Apple Corps now have
differing interpretations of this agreement and will need to ask a
court to resolve this dispute."
[Maccentral]
7:46:54 PM  Google It!
|
