“Apple Computer on Tuesday lost a British High Court bid to have a legal case brought by the management company of the legendary Beatles band moved from the United Kingdom to the United States,” Reuters reports.
“A London High Court judge on Tuesday struck down Apple’s request to have the case heard by California courts. The iPod maker had argued that because the original agreement between the two companies was struck in that state, it was the proper place for the hearing,” Reuters reports. “Launched a year ago, iTunes has given hope to weary music executives looking for an industry-backed online music store capable of derailing free file-sharing networks such as WinMX and Kazaa.”
Full article here.
What am I missing here? I thought a California court ruled that the case should be heard in California. So who breaks the tie?
Re – quote “this could be big trouble my friends”
All apple has to do is use the same logo and call themselves ‘Mac’ instead of ‘Apple’.
Therefore no damage to image or PR – End of story!
PS – Im a marketing/brand director at Saaatchi & Saatchi
I live in the UK, and Apple Corps (UK) was soley setup by the Beatles many years ago as a company that brings in the cash from the Beatles royalties (almost like a money laundering service as it were).
It was purely setup to make sure the Beatles got every penny of royalties and to invest their money that they made from selling singles/albums.
As the previous comments quote – Apple Corps (UK) produces no product for the music industry and you can question as to whether they are now anywhere associated with the music industry at all in this modern age.
My personal view is that it is purely a money making lawsuit for Apple Corps UK) and you must remember that this is probably one of the last ‘inherited mistakes’ that Steve Jobs has to deal with which was signed by Apple’s previous CEO before Steve Jobs came back to Apple.
If Apple is going to lose lawsuit – then they should turn around the negitive PR and launch/announce a new name and an updated brand identity BEFORE it goes to court. This would totally get rid of any bad PR for Apple.
Macintosh Computer, Inc ?
Claris Computer, Inc ?
Maybe…
NeXT Computer, Inc.
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Apple Corps still is in the business of selling music. They just released a remix of “Let It Be” not long ago (pretty good too), and of course the 3 anthology albums were on the Apple label. Can Apple really beat Apple in court?
Apple Corp. owns all the original Beatle RECORDINGS–this is where they still gain revenue–having said that–Apple Corp should still lose because Apple Computer is NOT acting as a record label, but as a means to distribute the music (ala a record store)..but i agree, Apple could write a check to skirt this whole issue. Steve may be playing chicken w/ apple corp imo
I remember in all of those old westerns. When a horse got a broken leg, the cowboy pulls his six shooter and shoo… the horse, ending it’s suffering.
Why don’t Apple Computers or some else, do the same with this guys (or with SCO Unix, for that matter too). When was the last time the Beatles went to a recording studio? All they want is money. Preserving their rights as artist is one thing, but Apple Computers is not in the business of making music, they are just providing a service to support a product they make and sell, the iPod. Also there is no way that someone is going to mistake Apple Computers with Apple Corps or whatever the heck these old guys call themselves!
Steve Jobs, pull out your checkbook and put this guys out of their misery!!
I guess I won’t ever buy another Beatles record again. Even if they somehow show up on iTunes. This Apple vs. Apple stupidity has left a very bad taste in my mouth for the fab four.