Apple has been engaged in a legal battle with Apple Corps, which is the company that owns the rights to the record labels of The Beatles. After 20 years of on and off litigation, Apple has finally reached a settlement with the company over the use ‘Apple’ trademark as well as the logo.
The issue has been one of Apple’s oldest legal battles. Apple Corps has been after Apple for using the logo which comprises of an Apple. As it is, the logo of Apple Corps also includes an apple, which led to the feud between the two.
However, back in 2007, the issue was nearly resolved between the two companies. The terms of settlement were that Apple will now have the full ownership of the logo as well as the trademark of Apple Corps. In exchange, Apple would license the logo as well as the trademark to Apple Corps for use in certain cases.
The Beatles also seem to have made huge money out of it. According to unconfirmed reports, Apple paid the band a cool $500 million to finally resolve the dispute. The decision was certainly in accordance with Steve Jobs who was a great fan of The Beatles and while commenting on the legal issue, stated, “We love the Beatles, and it has been painful being at odds with them over these trademarks. 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.”
A new page in the database of Canadian Intellectual Property Office now shows that Apple has been granted a trademark for the logo of Apple Corps.
Source: Patently Apple
Courtesy: All Things D
[ttjad keyword=”apple-tv”]
