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Apple beat Apple Corps
Computer giant beats Beatles in legal case
08 May 06 - Apple Computers has won it's battle against the Beatles' Apple Corps, a judge at London's High Court has just ruled.Apple Corps, owned by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono and the estate of George Harrison, argued the computer company had violated a 1991 trademark agreement by moving into the music business through its market-leading iTunes online store.
However, Apple Computer has won its argument that iTunes was primarily a data transmission service, which is permitted by the agreement.
The 1991 out-of-court settlement, which included a $26 million payment by Apple Computer, set out areas in which each party would have exclusive use of their respective fruit-shaped logos.
In his judgement, Mr Justice Mann said: "I find no breach of the trademark agreement has been demonstrated," Mr Justice Mann said in his judgment. "The action
therefore fails."
Apple Corps said it would appeal the decision, while Apple Computer was awarded court costs.
Jody Thompson
