Apple v. Apple: Legal fight over iTunes hits court

Iria · Mar 27, 2006, 07:02 PM

Apple is set to square off against the Beatles’ own Apple Corps in London court this week. Apple Corps claims that Apple’s iTunes Music Store software violates the terms of a 1991 agreement between the two companies.

Apple, of course, makes computers, iPods and software, while Apple Corps is the licensing agent for the Beatles. And they’ve squared off in court several times over the years. In the 1980s, Apple Corps sued Apple Computer over trademark infringement involving Apple Computer’s logo. Apple Corps accepted a small settlement and both agreed that Apple Computer would steer clear of the music business.

In 1989, Apple Corps again sued Apple Computer, claiming that the company had violated the terms of their earlier agreement after it incorporated MIDI control software in its operating system. This time the 1991 settlement in that case cost Apple $26 million and required them to agree they wouldn’t physically distribute music on formats like cassettes, vinyl records or CDs.
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Read More / Source: Yahoo! News

pr0digal jenius · Mar 27, 2006, 07:38 PM

apple computers will win this one

YAYitsAndrew · Mar 28, 2006, 12:50 AM

They're playing the word game. That doesn't cut it. Apple is now part of the music business they said they would stay out of, and they're going to lose this battle.

calidan · Mar 28, 2006, 01:00 AM

Quote:

wouldn’t physically distribute music on formats like cassettes, vinyl records or CDs.

Apple isn't distributing music on any of these formats so they are not breeching any agreement.

Mar 27, 2006, 07:02 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	Apple v. Apple: Legal fight over iTunes hits court Apple is set to square off against the Beatles’ own Apple Corps in London court this week. Apple Corps claims that Apple’s iTunes Music Store software violates the terms of a 1991 agreement between the two companies. Apple, of course, makes computers, iPods and software, while Apple Corps is the licensing agent for the Beatles. And they’ve squared off in court several times over the years. In the 1980s, Apple Corps sued Apple Computer over trademark infringement involving Apple Computer’s logo. Apple Corps accepted a small settlement and both agreed that Apple Computer would steer clear of the music business. In 1989, Apple Corps again sued Apple Computer, claiming that the company had violated the terms of their earlier agreement after it incorporated MIDI control software in its operating system. This time the 1991 settlement in that case cost Apple $26 million and required them to agree they wouldn’t physically distribute music on formats like cassettes, vinyl records or CDs. ___________ Read More / Source: Yahoo! News

Mar 28, 2006, 12:50 AM	#3
YAYitsAndrew Anti-Piracy Poster Boy Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 2,605 Rep Power: 77 System Specs	They're playing the word game. That doesn't cut it. Apple is now part of the music business they said they would stay out of, and they're going to lose this battle. __________________ "It is because the resistance to paying for copyrighted material, although often characterized as arising from a supposed technical burden or principled concern for the public interest, arises rather from exactly the same segment of the brain that is dominant in shoplifters." - Mark Helprin, Digital Barbarism In other words, it's never okay to steal even if you think you have a good reason! www.yayitsandrew.com

Mar 27, 2006, 07:38 PM	#2
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	apple computers will win this one