Apple files for trademark on Beatles logo
Submitted by David Smith on March 15, 2011 - 6:39pm
The recent filings by Apple seem to be a matter of completing the formalities.
Apple requests for trademarks
In its filings, Apple has stated that the trademark’s coverage should be extended to include “computer hardware, online social networking services, mobile phones,” besides including broader categories like musical instruments, clothing, advertising, gaming, education and broadcasting.
Both the companies have been entangled in a legal battle, as they shared the common ‘Apple’ name.
The applications are the result of a legal settlement in 2007 between Apple and Apple Corps, the parent company of The Beatles.
Apple Corp was set up by The Beatles in 1960’s, to look after their music.
The settlement resolved the dispute between these companies, over the ownership of the Apple logo.
The settlement granted all the related trademarks to Apple, but required the company to license back some of the trademarks to Apple Corps.
The resolution of the dispute also paved the way for the introduction of The Beatles catalogue, on the iTunes music store.
Legendary music of The Beatles on iTunes
It took more than three years to bring the legendary music of The Beatles on iTunes. iTunes started offering the music of The Beatles from November, last year.
The sales touched 2 million songs and 450,000 albums, in the first week itself.
It’s learnt that Apple has been offering “more lucrative” royalty to The Beatles, as compared to other artists.
Reports surfacing early this year also suggest that in a unique licensing deal, Apple pays the royalty directly to ‘The Beatles’ and Sony/ATV.
