James Delahunty
6 May 2005 7:32
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.
Source:
The Register