The Beatles sue Apple computers

[thecavemankevin]

In 1968, Apple Corps was formed to publish the Beatles music and sign other musicians. In 1980, Steve Jobs was advertising his new computer invention, the Apple. George Harrison found this advertisement in a computer magazine, and it appeared to infringe the bands trademark. Apple Corps told Apple to change its name to something else if it wished to continue producing music making machines. In 1991 a settlement of $26.5 million was reached and Apple Computers agreed to stay out of the music business.

However I think we are all familiar with Apple's iTunes music store and it's iPod devices. So once again Apple Computers is in hot water and now a date has been set for a UK court hearing; 27th March 2006. In the past Apple Computers has dealt with this issue by simply settling out of court but now with it's iPod and iTunes music store, the stakes have gotten higher and Apple Corp. is suing for damages.

Apple's iPod is fuelling rising revenue for the company and it's iTunes music store remains the dominant store in the online music download market.

hmm, seems quite interesting. i am not really sure how Apple Corp really had grounds to sue Apple Computers in the first place. However, since it was settled out of court and apple agreed to stay out of the music industry....i think it is safe to say they broke the settlement agreement.

[SlartyBartFast]

i am not really sure how Apple Corp really had grounds to sue Apple Computers in the first place.

It's quite simple to understand. Do you think that you'd be able to get away with starting a company called Microsoft?

Think any other company would let you copy their name?

Trademarks, servicemarks, and copyrights let companies protect their identity.

[Kevmaster]

right...


i can't just copy anothre company's name. they agreed to stay out of music....they broke that agreement

[thecavemankevin]

It's quite simple to understand. Do you think that you'd be able to get away with starting a company called Microsoft?

Think any other company would let you copy their name?

Trademarks, servicemarks, and copyrights let companies protect their identity.

right, but one is corp and the other computer. afterall, how many ACME companies do you think are out there. You have to keep in mind, back in the day Apple computers was a very small company (i have no idea the size of apple corp). And since at the time both companies had nothing to do with each other, i really dont see why they couldn't keep their names the way they were. but hey, thats just me

[Lohman446]

right, but one is corp and the other computer. afterall, how many ACME companies do you think are out there. You have to keep in mind, back in the day Apple computers was a very small company (i have no idea the size of apple corp). And since at the time both companies had nothing to do with each other, i really dont see why they couldn't keep their names the way they were. but hey, thats just me

They could, but once they shared markets in which it was evident that customers could be easily confused and unable to readily and easily differentiate between the two then there was an issue.

[edweird]

yall do understand that Michael Jackson owns the rights of the beatles music right? I guess his legal costs were in need of a booster shot.

/boggle ... could it be all them out of court pay offs?

[SlartyBartFast]

right, but one is corp and the other computer. afterall, how many ACME companies do you think are out there.

But both do business as "Apple".

ACME is widely used because it's just an adjective!

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionar...ionary&va=acme

And here you all thought it was just a fabricated name used in the Roadrunner cartoons.

[magman007]

yall do understand that Michael Jackson owns the rights of the beatles music right? I guess his legal costs were in need of a booster shot.

/boggle ... could it be all them out of court pay offs?

ed, you are correct on most respects, but michael only owns half of their music catalogue from what i remember. He aslo pissed off Paul, because paul gave him the idea to do it.

[personman]

Applowned!!!

[Jakedubbleya]

The Beatles sue Apple computers

Sweeeeeet.

And does Michael Jackson own Apple (the actual production company), or just the rights to the albums?

[Kevmaster]

Applowned!!!

can I be applowned?

[oldsoldier]

Is Apple corps still in business? I think its a money-making scam myslef...go figure.

[SlartyBartFast]

Is Apple corps still in business? I think its a money-making scam myslef...go figure.

Of course they're in business. As long as the Beatles' music is played, they'll be making money.

https://www.beatles.com

the Apple Corps site is just a place holder.

[Eagle]

Well, look at how long the World Wrestling Federation was around befor the World Wildlife Fund decided to sue.

[Miscue]

Anyone remember the Sosumi system sound?