The two Apple companies have reached a settlement in that long long running trademark dispute, and it's a settlement which many reckon could pave the way for the arrival of the Beatles catalogue on iTunes.
As previously reported, Apple Computers, now Apple Inc, has had various disputes with the Beatles' company, Apple Corps, over the years, with the music company accusing the computing firm of stealing their trademark (they having been around quite a bit longer). A truce was originally reached in 1981 with the US company agreeing to only use the name in the computing sector, and to not move into the music industry where London based Apple Corps operates.
However, further legal action followed whenever Apple Corps felt new music based functionality added to Apple's computers breached that agreement. Most recently Apple Corp unsuccessfully sued Apple Inc claiming that iTunes amounted to the computing firm launching itself in the music business. The High Court in London, however, did not agree.
Under the new agreement Apple Inc will take full control of the Apple name, but licence certain trademarks back to the Beatles' company for its continued use. The exact terms of the deal, and what Apple Corp gets from it financially, are unclear.
Confirming the agreement, Apple Inc boss Steve Jobs told reporters yesterday: "We love the Beatles and it has been painful being at odds with them over these trademarks. It feels great to resolve this in a positive manner, and in a way that should remove the potential of further disagreements in the future".
Apple Corps top man Neil Aspinall added: "It is great to put this dispute behind us and move on. The years ahead are going to be very exciting times for us. We wish Apple Inc every success and look forward to many years of peaceful co-operation with them".
Although the Beatles' music, which is still not available digitally from any legitimate sources, is not directly discussed in this deal, there have been rumours for some time that iTunes is close to securing the fab four's catalogue as part of a major marketing initiative, and many see the settlement of this long term trademark dispute as a stepping stone to a content licensing agreement between the two companies.