Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Apple Inc. Inks Apple Corps Deal

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the ways-to-get-a-better-deal dept.

Sometimes_Rational writes to mention Apple Inc. formerly (Apple Computer) has announced an agreement with The Beatles' company, Apple Corps Ltd. which settles the lawsuit brought by Apple Corps. Under the new agreement, "Apple Inc. will own all of the trademarks related to 'Apple' and will license certain of those trademarks back to Apple Corps for their continued use. In addition, the ongoing trademark lawsuit between the companies will end, with each party bearing its own legal costs, and Apple Inc. will continue using its name and logos on iTunes. The terms of settlement are confidential."

7 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. Beatles on iTunes? by georgewad · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Certainly adds fuel to the rumors of the Beatles catalogue (sic) showing up on ITMS.

    --
    Karma: It's not just a good idea. It's the law.
  2. Re:Beatles on iTMS? by cybereal · · Score: 5, Funny

    According to http://thepiratebay.org/ they haven't resisted everyone.

    --
    I read the script, and I think it would help my character's motivation if he was on fire. -Bender
  3. It's a tennis game. by freeze128 · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is one of many lawsuits that have been happening since the 80's (remember the Apple IIgs?). It's just a balance of power. In the early days, the Beatles thought that they were bigger than Jesus, and so they sued a little computer company. Now, that little computer company is bigger than the Beatles, and Jesus has an iPod.

    1. Re:It's a tennis game. by demonbug · · Score: 5, Informative

      This isn't really a fair characterization of the "battle". Apple Corps existed long before Apple Computers. Apple Corps quite fairly wanted to make sure that this new computer company wasn't going to diminish the value of their name, and that they weren't going to try to compete in the same market (you only get those trademarks as long as you are willing to defend them). back in '80 ot whatever, they came to an agreement that Apple Inc would stay out of the music business. Well, technology marches on and by the end of the 80's computers are beginning inroads into the music industry. Apple Corps feels that Apple Inc is starting to encroach on their area of business, and the two again end up in court. The case is settled, with Apple Inc again agreeing they won't go into the content creation or distribution aspect of the music business. Then along comes iTunes, which is pretty clearly associated with selling music, if not exactly distributing it in the industry Label sense. Now, Apple Corps (from what I have read) had no objection whatsoever to iTunes; what they objected to was it being branded as Apple iTunes. iTunes is and was clearly associated with the music industry, and Apple Corps had a long-standing trademark on the Apple name within that industry. Unfortunately for Apple Corps, a judge decided that since iTunes isn't distributing music in the traditional sense (i.e., they don't sign artists to contracts for sole distribution of music) they aren't infringing the Apple trademark.

      This isn't about one company throwing their weight around, nor is it about Apple Corps getting what's coming to them. It is just a story of one company that owns a trademark becoming alarmed that another company seemed to be moving into their area of business while using essentially the same trademarked name. The newer company argued (apparently successfully) that they were not in fact violating the trademark, but they were apparently worried enough about it to purchase the trademark from Apple Corps, and license it back to them at some unknown rate (I'd guess they aren't charging anything - maybe an exclusive deal to release Apple Corps' collection on iTunes).

      As for all those that think the Apple Corps label has little value today... according to the Billboard Top 200, a brand new release from Apple Corps is currently at number 22, down from a peak of #4 (not to mention the 6 Beatles albums that have sold 10 million units or more). This is still an extremely valuable library, and I'm sure Apple Inc is eager to try and put a deal together to distribute their music through iTunes now that all the trademark stuff is finally over.

  4. "ownership" & "publishing rights" by Anonymous+McCartneyf · · Score: 5, Informative

    Okay. The Beatles catalog is in Northernsongs, which is de facto owned by Sony unless Michael Jackson starts getting some financial sense. (The financial advice he took from Paul appears to be the last sound financial advice he ever took.) Apple Corp. does own something valuable, though--the Beatles recordings.
    To put it another way: if you wanted to record a cover of a Beatles song, or play one in public, you would need to contact Sony, Northernsongs division. If you wanted to use an actual Beatles recording--that is, one actually made by the Beatles--then you would need to contact Apple Corp.

    --
    There is a fine line between recklessness and courage... -- Paul McCartney
  5. Negotiations went like this... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Beatles: "You Never give Me Your Money"
    Steve Jobs: "We Can Work it Out."
    Beatles: "Don't Let Me Down"
    Jobs: "It Won't Be Long"
    Beatles: "Money, That's What I Want"
    Jobs: "Come and Get It"
    Beatles: "I Feel Fine"

  6. Can Apple Inc. sign bands directly now? by TedTodorov · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This is potentially huge, as Apple inc. now seems to own the trademark and will license it back to Apple Corps Ltd. Unless I am missing something, this means that Apple can sign bands directly, cutting out the record companies which collect 69 cents on every iTunes dollar.

    As online music sales surpass physical media, this has the potential of allowing Apple to take over the record industry. I doubt they want to, but it gives them a great deal of opportunity to expand their iTunes business.