Apple Corps lose lawsuit against Apple Computer

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

The BBC reports that the Apple Corps have lost their lawsuit against Apple Computer. Mr Justice Edward Mann, the presiding judge on the case, ruled that Apple Computer used its Apple logo in association with its store and not the music itself, and was therefore not in breach of trademark agreements made in previous decades.

Mr Justice Mann ruled iTunes was "a form of electronic shop" and not involved in creating music.

"I conclude that the use of the apple logo ... does not suggest a relevant connection with the creative work," he wrote in his judgment.

According to the BBC, Apple Corps is planning to appeal the case.

[Dont Hurt Me]

Good thing , this was nothing but some greedy lawyers chasing the ambulance.

[raggedjimmi]

Agrees. Just let it be. let it beeeee.

[Atlasland]

This is great news for Apple (obviously).

And, for my money, quite unexpected.

I thought Apple Corps were sure to win.

It seems they lost on quite a technical point.

[gkhaldi]

Yes! Good news. This was a suit with no merit!

[mi5moav]

I think the 91' agreement allowed the Mac(Apple) to play and manipulate or edit music if I recall... but not create music. So, the ipod and itunes so, guess this fell through the cracks. I guess we won't be seeing ikaraoke from Apple anytime soon. Apple Corps will be sure to find a judget that doesn't own and ipod next time... since they all have a bit of that kool-aid in them now.

[whooleytoo]

Originally Posted by Atlasland

This is great news for Apple (obviously).

And, for my money, quite unexpected.

I thought Apple Corps were sure to win.

It seems they lost on quite a technical point.

I thought the same - it seems they could hardly have asked for a more sympathetic judge!

[Object-X]

Originally Posted by Atlasland

It seems they lost on quite a technical point.

The whole case against Apple was predicated on a very technical point. It all involved how the logo was used. Quite the frivolous law suit.

[Bakey]

Originally Posted by raggedjimmi

Agrees. Just let it be. let it beeeee.

Love your work...

[njmac]

I read a quote a year or so back from an Apple Corp. exec said that he loves how Apple Comp. keeps infringing on their trademark because it makes them money. I lost all respect for the Corp. right then and there.

[LimeiBook86]

I read the title wrong and almost spit out my breakfast! ...but, then I read it again and rejoiced. I'm glad everything is now settled, Apple doesn't need to worry about such nonsense, now they can focus on more things, like a new Newton

[bwintx]

Outstanding, but Apple Corpse (and that spelling is intentional) obviously will drag this out in the appeals process unless Apple Computer comes up with $$$ to make the former go away. Which is all Apple Corpse probably ever wanted anyway.

[SPUY767]

Apple Corpse has run out of ways to re-release the Beatle's recordings and is therefore in desperate need of revenue.

[steve_hill4]

I think this could be both good and bad news. Good news for obvious reasons, bad news as it may delay the Beatles back catalogue entering the iTMS. If indeed all that was requested was a removal of the Apple logo from the store, I can't see it having changed the store itself much.

Since they are going to appeal, I wouldn't expect any Apple Corps related music to appear on there for some time yet.

[MacPhreak]

Originally Posted by steve_hill4

...bad news as it may delay the Beatles back catalogue entering the iTMS.

That's bad news? It's a resounding "MEH" to me. If you're a Beatles fan, you've already got the discs. Why would you want to buy crippled, low-bitrate versions?

[morespce54]

Originally Posted by steve_hill4

Since they are going to appeal, I wouldn't expect any Apple Corps related music to appear on there for some time yet.

yes, that is quite a downside...

[jayb2000]

Originally Posted by steve_hill4

I think this could be both good and bad news. Good news for obvious reasons, bad news as it may delay the Beatles back catalogue entering the iTMS. If indeed all that was requested was a removal of the Apple logo from the store, I can't see it having changed the store itself much.

Since they are going to appeal, I wouldn't expect any Apple Corps related music to appear on there for some time yet.

See that is good news and better news to me, I don't like the beatles
I know it would be more money for Apple, but if Yoko, Paul, and Ringo were uncermoniously dumped on a small island where they could live out the rest of their lives away from any recording studio or transportation, I would be happier.

If there is anything worse than Wings, Yoko singing or Ringo singing, I have not heard it yet.


Q. What would it take to reunite the Beatles?
A. 2 more bullets


Conrats to Apple for winning this one, it seemed so stupid based on the last agreement.

[thefunkymunky]

Originally Posted by SPUY767

Apple Corpse has run out of ways to re-release the Beatle's recordings and is therefore in desperate need of revenue.

Why don't Apple Corpse re-release the Beatles back catalogue on iTunes.

[sishaw]

We've been hearing for a while that Apple (the Beatles' music company) has been remastering the Beatles' catalogue in order to make it available on iTunes. Is it possible that this lawsuit helps clear the way by eliminating any possible future legal claims between Apple Corp. and Apple Inc.?

Has anyone heard of an appeal being filed by Apple Corp.? If not, I would wonder how "adversarial" the lawsuit really was.

Edit: My bad. I see there is an appeal. Man, I hope that doesn't mean we have to wait for the appeals process to see Beatles songs on iTunes/

[coumerelli]

Originally Posted by sishaw

Has anyone heard of an appeal being filed by Apple Corp.? If not, I would wonder how "adversarial" the lawsuit really was.

reread the post, if you will...

[Leoff]

Originally Posted by sishaw

We've been hearing for a while that Apple (the Beatles' music company) has been remastering the Beatles' catalogue in order to make it available on iTunes.

Sorry, that's wrong. They are not remastering the catalogue to make it available on iTunes. They're remastering the catalogue to make it available in digital formats (.mp3's, etc...). Whether it will be sold on iTunes or whatever other store is out there this month (Sony, Microsoft, etc...) remains to be seen.

[intlplby]

that's not true...... they could license the Dr. Ebbett's Sound Studio discs (DESS) and release them..... truly great mastering


they should also release the Abbey Road Black Triangle disc from Japan again and the Canadian Disque Americ Help and Rubber Soal discs. The Sgt Pepper's UHQR is a good find too as is the stereo German Metal Master of the White Album.

there's a bunch more, but these are the best masterings of the Beatles and most people have never heard them..... they sound much better than the typical releases.... some are bootlegs some are official discs..... for example the DESS ones are bootleg masterings from virgin vinyl.... the disque americ were accidental production of the original stereo masters and were quickly stopped

forget any itunes remastering, get the above remasterings that i mentioned.

[Applespider]

Originally Posted by SPUY767

Apple Corpse has run out of ways to re-release the Beatle's recordings and is therefore in desperate need of revenue.

No... they're involved in a new Cirque du Soleil show in Vegas which is Beatle-themed and which they're expected to make a great deal of dosh from.

I really don't think there's much danger of Apple computers getting any benefit from a consumer thinking they are Apple Corps - if anything these days, Apple Corps would gain.

One thing I was curious about and which didn't seem to come up in the case was that Apple do 'create' music with their Live in London series where they record an artist's gig and make it exclusive to iTunes. But it is clear when you go back and check the iTMS, how often the Apple logo appears in iTunes or on iPods but how seldom in the Music Store itself which is obviously intentional

[JGowan]

Originally Posted by SPUY767

Apple Corpse has run out of ways to re-release the Beatle's recordings and is therefore in desperate need of revenue.

Both your statements are just not true. The Beatles have been doing just fine, both in presenting their recordings and video archives to the world and also, in the return on that investment (ie. CA$H).

In the last few years alone, the Beatles have been selling their albums ala carte at an amazing rate for albums that old AND they've released the following collections: The Capitol Albums (v.1 & 2); Yellow Submarine (remasterd); First US Visit; Let It Be... Naked (a very different album than the original, let me personally say); The Anthology (v. 1, 2 & 3); One (a collection of all of their #1 hits and finally, the Concert For Bangladesh. They've also released their 10 hour Anthology video (first on VHS and most recently on DVD (a Must-Have for Beatles fans) as well as the companion Anthology coffetable book (also a Must-Have). They are also in the process of remastering the whole Beatles catalogue.*

In addition to all this, they have teamed up with Cirque du Soleil for The Mirage Hotel's presentation of "LOVE" in Las Vegas.

Finally, Paul McCartney has been very busy himself and is make serious money with his touring and individual projects. The last one, "Chaos And Creation In The Backyard", is a great little album that I am thrilled I got on my last birthday. It also has a VERY CLEVER bit of logo design wherein his name "Paul McCartney" can be read upside down (image included-right side up AND upside down. It makes quite an impression when physically holding the disc and rotating it 180˚. Discovering it accidently was like, wow. Certainly, Paul McCartney will not let HIS 64th Birthday go by without releasing SOMETHING. I would imagine at least some sort of "NOW I'M 64" single or possibly a whole new album with a new cut about being a senior. Paul turns 64 on June 18, 2006. He graces cover of AARP's May/June Magazine! (See first link below)

Final thought: This has had nothing to do with money. It was simply two companies actually believing they were right and standing their ground. I respect Apple Corps for trying to protect themselves in this manner. The Beatles and their music are still very much alive -- and still influence musicians to this day.

Final, Final thought: I'm glad Apple Computers won. I love both Apples, but the computer company is still my fav.

I'll take a fresh apple with a single bit out of it over Half of one any day.

---

Here's hoping (almost in vain) that this will all end up on iTunes. However, it's worth noting that Steve Jobs still believes in miracles...

" 'We are glad to put this disagreement behind us,'' Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said. 'We have always loved the Beatles, and hopefully we can now work together to get them on the iTunes Music Store.' ''

Mann's judgement in full -- verbatim
Excellent Flash Timeline of Paul's 64 Years!
NY Times Article about Apple Computer's win
beatles.com
Ticket Sales for "LOVE"

* "We're remastering the whole Beatles catalog, just to make it sound brighter and better and getting proper booklets to go with each of the packages," Aspinall explained. "I think it would be wrong to offer downloads of the old masters when I am making new masters. It would be better to wait and try to do them both simultaneously so that you then get publicity of the new masters and the downloading, rather than just doing it ad hoc."

[SPUY767]

Originally Posted by JGowan

Both your statements are just not true. The Beatles have been doing just fine, both in presenting their recordings and video archives to the world and also, in the return on that investment (ie. CA$H).

In the last few years alone, the Beatles have been selling their albums ala carte at an amazing rate for albums that old AND they've released the following collections: The Capitol Albums (v.1 & 2); Yellow Submarine (remasterd); First US Visit; Let It Be... Naked (a very different album than the original, let me personally say); The Anthology (v. 1, 2 & 3); One (a collection of all of their #1 hits and finally, the Concert For Bangladesh. They've also released their 10 hour Anthology video (first on VHS and most recently on DVD (a Must-Have for Beatles fans) as well as the companion Anthology coffetable book (also a Must-Have). They are also in the process of remastering the whole Beatles catalogue.*

In addition to all this, they have teamed up with Cirque du Soleil for The Mirage Hotel's presentation of "LOVE" in Las Vegas.

Finally, Paul McCartney has been very busy himself and is make serious money with his touring and individual projects. The last one, "Chaos And Creation In The Backyard", is a great little album that I am thrilled I got on my last birthday. It also has a VERY CLEVER bit of logo design wherein his name "Paul McCartney" can be read upside down (image included). Of course it might be hard to visualize onscreen. It, however, makes quite an impression when physically holding the disc and rotating it 180˚. Certainly, Paul McCartney will not let HIS 64th Birthday go by without releasing SOMETHING. I would imagine at least some sort of "NOW I'M 64" single or possibly a whole new album with a new cut about being a senior. Paul turns 64 on June 18, 2006. He graces cover of AARP's May/June Magazine! (See first link below)

Final thought: This has had nothing to do with money. It was simply two companies actually believing they were right and standing their ground. I respect Apple Corps for trying to protect themselves in this manner. The Beatles and their music are still very much alive -- and still influence musicians to this day.

Final, Final thought: I'm glad Apple Computers won. I love both Apples, but the computer company is still my fav.

I'll take a fresh apple with a single bit out of it over Half of one any day.

---

Here's hoping (almost in vain) that this will all end up on iTunes. However, it's worth noting that Steve Jobs still believes in miracles...

" 'We are glad to put this disagreement behind us,'' Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said. 'We have always loved the Beatles, and hopefully we can now work together to get them on the iTunes Music Store.' ''

Excellent Flash Timeline of Paul's 64 Years!
NY Times Article about Apple Computer's win
beatles.com
Ticket Sales for "LOVE"

* "We're remastering the whole Beatles catalog, just to make it sound brighter and better and getting proper booklets to go with each of the packages," Aspinall explained. "I think it would be wrong to offer downloads of the old masters when I am making new masters. It would be better to wait and try to do them both simultaneously so that you then get publicity of the new masters and the downloading, rather than just doing it ad hoc."

Will you just take me out in the parking lot and kick me in the nuts next time. None of that was necessary. I was just making a quick play on words, which ,while many will think I was beaten to, if they will reference more apple corps news from about two weeks ago, I have previously referred to them as Apple Corpse. So how about this. Stuff it. You getting bent all out of the frame because I make a short and sweet two line post at 6 in the morning just goes to show how foolish we can be sometimes.