Apple Vs. Apple Court Case Resolved For Now: Apple Wins!

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In the long, ongoing trademark battle between Apple Computers and Apple Corps (The Beatle's record label), a decision was finally arrived to by the judge this morning announcing that Apple Computers has the right to use its logo in iTunes and other media related devices.

The claim by Apple Corps is that Apple broke an agreement between the two companies which stated that Apple couldn't use its logo in the advertising and distribution of music. With the advent of iTunes and the success of the iPod, Apple Corps found it necessary to sue on the grounds that this agreement was broken.

A business man to the last, Apple CEO Steve Jobs reacted to the ruling, saying: "We are glad to put this disagreement behind us. We have always loved the Beatles, and hopefully we can now work together to get them on the iTunes Music Store." Representatives from Apple Corps have already stated that this is not the end and that an appeal will be immediately filed.

News source: Macworld UK

#1 crazzy88ss on 08 May 2006 - 23:15

oh who cares any more...

(2 replies) #2 Shadrack on 08 May 2006 - 23:59

What?

Apple Computers clearly broke the agreement. They are in the wrong. I guess when you have a lot of money and power, then laws, contracts and agreements aren't as important.

How much is Apple Corp worth compared to Apple Computers?

BTW: I love my iPod

#2.1 aristotle-dude on 09 May 2006 - 04:30

I'm not sure about that. The agreement allowed for music creation software and music players. Apple Corps tried to argue that the iTMS was being in the music business like a record label but the Judge found that it was just a "store" and that being a vendor was not in violation of the revised agreement between the two parties.

If you look at the background to this story, originally the Apple Corps position on the previous case was absolutely ridiculous as they had tried to argue that a sound card, microphone and MIDI support was equivalent to being in the music business.

The only reason the iTMS and the iPod became an issue is because it started making a lot of money.

#2.2 sphbecker on 09 May 2006 - 16:43

I agree with aristotle-dude. Apple Computers is not competing with Apple Corp. Regardless of the exact wording of the agreement, the intent was a do-not-compete agreement.

#3 Sp3ctranova on 09 May 2006 - 07:14

what a bunch of douches. embrace the digital age!

#4 Raa on 09 May 2006 - 14:40

If they were going to break an agreement, i'd hardly think that they'd make it happen to cause trouble now

(2 replies) #5 aristotle-dude on 09 May 2006 - 16:30

One additional dimension to this story is that they were trying to claim that the iPod was in violation as a form of music distribution via physical media but in fact, you cannot buy an iPod from Apple with music already on it. It is up to the purchaser to fill it with music from other sources like iTMS, ripped CDs you own or free music from other sources like garageband.com for example.

#5.1 Chicane-UK on 09 May 2006 - 20:21

I thought they came with a voucher that let you buy the whole U2 catalogue through iTunes rather than actually coming preloaded...?

#5.2 aristotle-dude on 09 May 2006 - 22:23

I knew someone would bring that up. They do not actually come with any music but rather a voucher with a coupon code to purchase the songs online with reduced price. I purchased the Complete U2 virtual box set separately and so I did not get that extra "discount". I think it was about 140 dollars Canadian for the set without a coupon.

(2 replies) #6 roadwarrior on 09 May 2006 - 17:48

Quote -

in fact, you cannot buy an iPod from Apple with music already on it

Not exactly true. You can't now, but you could with the U2 special edition iPods. They came pre-loaded with U2's music.

#6.1 MonkeyClaw on 11 May 2006 - 02:30

Quote - roadwarrior said @ #5.1

Yep, I got an U2 iPod and it comes with a coupon, not actual music.

#6.2 roadwarrior on 11 May 2006 - 17:45

I stand corrected. I thought I heard someone mention that those shipped with the songs already on them. In fact, I thought Steve Jobs mentioned this when he introduced them. Maybe they changed that to a voucher to get around the legal problem of selling the iPod with pre-loaded music.

(1 reply) #7 MGS3-SS on 09 May 2006 - 22:25

Man, **** The Beatles! I love my iMac and my iPod!

#7.1 badazzEVO8 on 13 May 2006 - 07:34

agreed i think their music sucks

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