[Infowarrior] - Apple, Beatles settle trademark suit over "Apple" name, logos

[Richard Forno]

Apple, Beatles settle trademark suit over "Apple" name, logos
Associated Press
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/nort
hern_california/16626955.htm

CUPERTINO, Calif. - IPod maker Apple said Monday it settled long-simmering
trademark issues with The Beatles' Apple Corps Ltd. company about the use of
the name "Apple" and apple logos.

The new settlement replaces the companies' 1991 agreement, and gives Apple
Inc. ownership of all the trademarks related to "Apple." In addition, Apple
Inc. will license certain of those trademarks back to Apple Corps for their
continued use.

This settlement ends the ongoing trademark lawsuit between the companies,
with each paying its own legal costs, and Apple Inc. will continue using its
name and logos on iTunes.

Further terms weren't disclosed.

It was not clear if The Beatles music catalog was part of the deal, and none
of the band's songs was available on iTunes as of Monday morning. That
catalog of all Beatles songs, including "Let it Be," "Get Back" and "She
Loves You," is the largest holdout from iTunes and other online music
services.

"We love the Beatles, and it has been painful being at odds with them over
these trademarks," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "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."

Neil Aspinall, manager of Apple Corps, said the company was glad to resolve
the dispute.

"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," he said.