Posted on 05/08/2006 2:45:46 AM PDT by HAL9000
LONDON, May 8 (Reuters) - Apple Computer is not liable for trademark infringement against Apple Corps, the music company owned by the Beatles, a judge in London's High Court ruled on Monday.Apple Corps, owned by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono and the estate of George Harrison, argued the computer company has violated a 1991 trademark agreement by moving into the music business through its market-leading iTunes online store.
Apple Computer argued in court hearings in London earlier this year that iTunes was primarily a data transmission service, permitted by the agreement.
The 1991 out-of-court settlement, which included a $26 million payment by Apple Computer, set out areas in which each party would have exclusive use of their respective fruit-shaped logos.
Dick James was a London music publisher who agreed to publish early Beatles songs. He later went on to sign Elton John, and I believe still owns all his songs through 1973 or so.
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