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More Details and Analysis of Apple v. Apple

Posted by pudge on from the won't-be-long-til-you-know-when dept.

lothar97 writes "MacNewsWorld is reporting details about the Apple (Beatles) v. Apple (Computer) case. It's most interesting concerning the confidential settlements the two parties have previously signed: 'one of those passages in the court document strongly implies that Apple Corps agreed to allow Apple (Computer) to pursue digital music initiatives, but not package, sell or distribute any physical music materials such as CDs.' This might be a cause of 'move on, nothing to see here,' and Apple Computer might be able to settle on the cheap. Trademark infringement might be minimal, and both sides would want to keep this from going much further."

7 of 37 comments (clear)

  1. Whether confidential or not, ... by burgburgburg · · Score: 4, Insightful

    the physical differential aspect of the agreement had been suggested before. And last I checked, all iTunes is doing is sending me code. Nothing to hold here, so nothing to see here.

  2. Physical? by TeknoHog · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Are we suggesting electrons and photons are not physical entities?

    --
    Escher was the first MC and Giger invented the HR department.
    1. Re:Physical? by BillyBlaze · · Score: 3, Insightful

      They aren't giving you electrons. The electrons barely move at all. They are giving you information, which at various points is represented as light amplitude, radio amplitude, and varying electrical potentials. You can play a CD multiple times, and the information comes through the air - do CDs have an unlimited supply of air? Not ever your power company gives you electrons.

    2. Re:Physical? by swissfondue · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You probably wouldn't be surprised to learn to what extent lawyers can change the laws of physics! Houdini was nothing compared to their act. If it looks like a hamburger and tastes like a hamburger, it is a hamburger. So Apple is selling a music product online. It is "made" i.e. formatted and stored, then delivered in one unit. Physical delivery is by internet. The medium is a data file. The only difference is that it is not delivered as a solid state medium. How much does this count for? I think Apple corps has a possible case, although I hope not!

      --
      Rubies and Pearls are not what you think.
    3. Re:Physical? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Which is why the service which sells you music online is called the iTunes Music Store. Apple Records sold some of their best rights a long, long time ago. Pining for one's glory days doesn't win a lawsuit.

  3. On relative net worth and business plans by GORDOOM · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'm sure that this possibility has been raised ad infinitum on other stories, but I raise it again:

    1. How much is the Apple Corps worth? Is it publicly-traded?
    2. How much does Apple Computer have on hand that they could use in a corporate acquisition?

    If I were in Steve's turtleneck, I would be looking into the possibility of buying out the Apple Corps entirely. If Apple really wanted to change the way things worked in the music industry, what better way than by having their own record label?

    1. Re:On relative net worth and business plans by MikeXpop · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yeah. I mean, after all, how much could the record company that puts out THE BEATLES cost?

      --
      Etiquette is etiquette. He kills his mother but he can't wear grey trousers.