Apple vs. Apple Trial Ongoing

MacRumors · Mar 30, 2006, 04:57 PM

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This week marked the beginning on the trial of Apple Computer vs. the Beatle's Apple Corps record label. The lawsuit originally reported in 2003 surrounds Apple Computer's move into the music arena with the iPod and iTunes Music Store. Apple Corps and Apple Computer have had previous legal settlements surrounding the potential of corporate name confusion.

Apple Computer reportedly paid Apple Corps $26.5 million and a contract on allowed use of the Apple Computer trademark. According to Apple's lawyers, digital distribution of music such as the iTunes music store was explicitly allowed under the terms of the agreement.

A lawyer for Apple Computer dismissed the claim of corporate confusion and stated that "even a moron in a hurry could not be mistaken about that".

The current presiding judge is reported to be "computer-literate" and own both a Mac (with iLife) and an iPod.

rxse7en · Mar 30, 2006, 05:00 PM

Steve>John

mdt562 · Mar 30, 2006, 05:02 PM

we know whos gunna be the first one with the 6th Gen iPod

Rend It · Mar 30, 2006, 05:03 PM

Quote:

A lawyer for Apple Computer dismissed the claim of corporate confusion and stated that "even a moron in a hurry could not be mistaken about that".

That's the best quote I've heard in 6 months. Hilarious. Get a life, Beatles lawyers.

javabear90 · Mar 30, 2006, 05:03 PM

This will be a HUGE problem if the other lawyers are good, and apple looses.
I have a bad feeling about this.

Hugh · Mar 30, 2006, 05:03 PM

Does Apple Records own any music any more? Doesn't Wacko Jacko own all the Beatles music now? So wants the point of this law suit?

-Hugh

illw!l · Mar 30, 2006, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macrumors

A lawyer for Apple Computer dismissed the claim of corporate confusion and stated that "even a moron in a hurry could not be mistaken about that".

In other news, Apple Computers is now accepting applications for new attorneys.

Hopefully Steve&Co. has got some better arguments than this. Hopefully...

swingerofbirch · Mar 30, 2006, 05:03 PM

Which of the Beatles are still alive? Why can't the living Beatles and Apple just get along? I'm sure all the Beatles want is some money, and Apple just wants to be left alone. Can't they compromise?

MacMosher · Mar 30, 2006, 05:03 PM

Maybe its because I havent seen this story progress through time but Im kinda lost I dont know exactly any back ground on this story

QCassidy352 · Mar 30, 2006, 05:04 PM

I think Apple Computer's lawyer is right in that it's going to be a very hard sell that anyone is confusing these two companies. There might still be a breach of contract, depending on what exactly the previous agreement said and how the Court interprets the language of that agreement. This is "data transmission," which is clearly the domain of Apple Computer under the agreement, but one could argue that they are, in some senses, acting like a record label too.

hardon · Mar 30, 2006, 05:09 PM

Paul McCartney **** a ******

EricNau · Mar 30, 2006, 05:09 PM

Remind me not to buy any music from the Beatle's Apple Corps record label.

bcallen · Mar 30, 2006, 05:13 PM

Who all are on their label?

hvfsl · Mar 30, 2006, 05:13 PM

I have to admit though, when I first heard about Apple Corps in the 90s, my first thought was; so Apple (computers) makes music now.

arn · Mar 30, 2006, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacMosher

Maybe its because I havent seen this story progress through time but Im kinda lost I dont know exactly any back ground on this story

Apple Corps record label was established first. They are suing Apple Computer because they feel that the term "Apple" trademark is their's in the Music industry, and that Apple Computer's entry will cause corporate confusion.

Just like I can't start a new Comptuer company called "Apple PCs" without getting sued by Apple.

This isn't a new issue... and as Apple Computer expanded, Apple Corps has sued them before. The last settlement in 1991 is at dispute about the allowed use of Apple Computer to distribute music digitally.

arn

Kingsly · Mar 30, 2006, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macrumors

The current presiding judge is reported to be "computer-literate" and own both a Mac (with iLife) and an iPod.

I feel much better now!

leenoble · Mar 30, 2006, 05:18 PM

Paul McCartney hasn't written a decent tune since John Lennon stopped helping him. The guy is totally talentless. His company is about as creative. Think of it as Britain's SCO.

LimeiBook86 · Mar 30, 2006, 05:18 PM

Since the judge knows his stuff I don't think he'd decide in favor of Apple records. The quote from the lawyer is hilarious, and I feel the same way. I think Apple Records just wants some cash...

jenkij · Mar 30, 2006, 05:18 PM

What? For all these years I thought I was buying my Mac's from the same company that produced the beatles albums, I just though Granny Smith sued them and made them use a different logo. If I had only know I would have stuck with Windoze.

ph0rce · Mar 30, 2006, 05:20 PM

Paul McCartney is my friends next door neighbour and lives about en miles from me. What an idiot he is. His music was rubish too :P

Kingsly · Mar 30, 2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenkij

What? For all these years I thought I was buying my Mac's from the same company that produced the beatles albums, I just though Granny Smith sued them and made them use a different logo. If I had only know I would have stuck with Windoze.

Nooooooooooo!
LOL.

weev · Mar 30, 2006, 05:21 PM

i wish this long and winding road would end!

I guess the Beatles are still struggling for recognition and reward.

Atlasland · 05:31 PM

Stop being such blind fanboys.

I love Apple as much as the next man, but "Apple Computer" is very similar to "Apple Corps" - especially as both are referred to as "Apple".

How would you you feel if somebody today started to deliver video content over the internet, and they decided to call their company "Macintosh", in honour of the raincoat? Apple would sue them to sh*t. And you would want them to. And Apple would win.

I mean, look at some of the recent compyright infringement cases: e.g. Spike Lee suing Spike TV, just because they used his first name!!

It was only a few years ago that I worked out that "Apple Corps" had nothing to do with "Apple Computer", and I'm sure many people are the same.

In addition, it is rumoured that Jobs choose the name Apple, precisely because he was a big Beatles fan, and liked the name. So, no plagarism there then (!)

I think Apple [Computer] are on the backfoot on this one. And, it may take another financial settlement to deal with this. Of course, not that either company is any desperate need of cash.

icookbook · Mar 30, 2006, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by Macrumors
The current presiding judge is reported to be "computer-literate" and own both a Mac (with iLife) and an iPod.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingsly

I feel much better now!

... and also owns the complete beatles discography on LP, cassette, AND cd.

kjs862 · Mar 30, 2006, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leenoble

Paul McCartney hasn't written a decent tune since John Lennon stopped helping him. The guy is totally talentless. His company is about as creative. Think of it as Britain's SCO.

I think Paul has a alot of great songs. He wrote a lot of great music with wings and even his latest solo project chaos and creation in the backyard is a sweet solo album.

Mar 30, 2006, 04:57 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Apple vs. Apple Trial Ongoing http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif This week marked the beginning on the trial of Apple Computer vs. the Beatle's Apple Corps record label. The lawsuit originally reported in 2003 surrounds Apple Computer's move into the music arena with the iPod and iTunes Music Store. Apple Corps and Apple Computer have had previous legal settlements surrounding the potential of corporate name confusion. Apple Computer reportedly paid Apple Corps $26.5 million and a contract on allowed use of the Apple Computer trademark. According to Apple's lawyers, digital distribution of music such as the iTunes music store was explicitly allowed under the terms of the agreement. A lawyer for Apple Computer dismissed the claim of corporate confusion and stated that "even a moron in a hurry could not be mistaken about that". The current presiding judge is reported to be "computer-literate" and own both a Mac (with iLife) and an iPod.

Mar 30, 2006, 05:03 PM	#5
javabear90 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houston, TX	This will be a HUGE problem if the other lawyers are good, and apple looses. I have a bad feeling about this. __________________ My website Nikon D200, D70, 70-200mm VR, 18-200 VR, 50mm f/1.8, 18-70mm, 12-24mm. Maxed out 15" MBP

Mar 30, 2006, 05:03 PM	#6
Hugh macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Erie, PA	Is Apple Records still own any... Does Apple Records own any music any more? Doesn't Wacko Jacko own all the Beatles music now? So wants the point of this law suit? -Hugh

Mar 30, 2006, 05:03 PM	#9
MacMosher macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Canada	Maybe its because I havent seen this story progress through time but Im kinda lost I dont know exactly any back ground on this story __________________ Don't waste your life fearing what happens after it.

Mar 30, 2006, 05:04 PM	#10
QCassidy352 Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Boston, MA	I think Apple Computer's lawyer is right in that it's going to be a very hard sell that anyone is confusing these two companies. There might still be a breach of contract, depending on what exactly the previous agreement said and how the Court interprets the language of that agreement. This is "data transmission," which is clearly the domain of Apple Computer under the agreement, but one could argue that they are, in some senses, acting like a record label too. __________________ "If Jesus Himself came back to earth and turned water to wine, half of MacRumors would say 'meh, this is red. I wanted white.'"

Mar 30, 2006, 05:00 PM	#2
rxse7en macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL	Steve>John

Mar 30, 2006, 05:02 PM	#3
mdt562 macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2006	we know whos gunna be the first one with the 6th Gen iPod

Mar 30, 2006, 05:03 PM	#8
swingerofbirch macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Amalgamated States of Central North America	Which of the Beatles are still alive? Why can't the living Beatles and Apple just get along? I'm sure all the Beatles want is some money, and Apple just wants to be left alone. Can't they compromise?

Mar 30, 2006, 05:09 PM	#11
hardon macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: UK Kent	Paul McCartney ** a ****

Mar 30, 2006, 05:09 PM	#12
EricNau macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA	Remind me not to buy any music from the Beatle's Apple Corps record label. __________________ November is Pancreatic Caner Awareness Month www.PanCan.org \| Get Involved

Mar 30, 2006, 05:13 PM	#13
bcallen macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oxford, MS	Who all are on their label?

Mar 30, 2006, 05:13 PM	#14
hvfsl macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: London, UK	I have to admit though, when I first heard about Apple Corps in the 90s, my first thought was; so Apple (computers) makes music now. __________________ MacBook Pro 2.4Ghz 500GB (uni) OS X/Windows XP/7/Ubuntu Hackintosh Pro - 2.4Ghz Quad core XP/OS X Media Centre - 2Ghz dual core BluRay Windows 7

Mar 30, 2006, 05:18 PM	#17
leenoble macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2003	Paul McCartney hasn't written a decent tune since John Lennon stopped helping him. The guy is totally talentless. His company is about as creative. Think of it as Britain's SCO. __________________ ------ And so I said, well I can't remember exactly what I said but it was one of the most enormously cruel and frighteningly witty put downs ever.

Mar 30, 2006, 05:18 PM	#18
LimeiBook86 macrumors Demi-God Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hanging around in NJ with his cutie. :)	Since the judge knows his stuff I don't think he'd decide in favor of Apple records. The quote from the lawyer is hilarious, and I feel the same way. I think Apple Records just wants some cash... __________________ my site my blog Mac's Comic Mac's Shop "Just you try and stop me..."

Mar 30, 2006, 05:18 PM	#19
jenkij macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2002	What? For all these years I thought I was buying my Mac's from the same company that produced the beatles albums, I just though Granny Smith sued them and made them use a different logo. If I had only know I would have stuck with Windoze.

Mar 30, 2006, 05:20 PM	#20
ph0rce macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2005	Paul McCartney is my friends next door neighbour and lives about en miles from me. What an idiot he is. His music was rubish too :P

Mar 30, 2006, 05:21 PM	#22
weev macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia	i wish this long and winding road would end! I guess the Beatles are still struggling for recognition and reward.

Mar 30, 2006, 05:26 PM	#23
Atlasland macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, UK	Stop being such blind fanboys. I love Apple as much as the next man, but "Apple Computer" is very similar to "Apple Corps" - especially as both are referred to as "Apple". How would you you feel if somebody today started to deliver video content over the internet, and they decided to call their company "Macintosh", in honour of the raincoat? Apple would sue them to sht. And you would want them to. And Apple would win. I mean, look at some of the recent compyright infringement cases: e.g. Spike Lee suing Spike TV, just because they used his first name!! It was only a few years ago that I worked out that "Apple Corps" had nothing to do with "Apple Computer", and I'm sure many people are the same. In addition, it is rumoured that Jobs choose the name Apple, precisely because he was a big Beatles fan, and liked the name. So, no plagarism there then (!) I think Apple [Computer] are on the backfoot on this one. And, it may take another financial settlement to deal with this. Of course, not that either company is any desperate need of cash. __________________ iMac G5 20" 2.0Ghz Rev B; 2GB RAM; 250GB HD Miglia TV Mini iPod Nano White 4GB Last edited by Atlasland : Mar 30, 2006 at 05:31 PM.*

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