09/13/2004, 12:35pm, EDT

Monday, September 13th

Beatles' settlement: 'biggest in legal history'?

Apple Computer may end up paying Apple Corps, the Beatles' company, a very large sum of cash as part of a settlement over the use of the Apple trademark, according to Variety: "Word among the legal community is that an out of court settlement could be imminent and that it will massively dwarf the $26.5 million paid to the Fab Four's company in 1991 in a row over trademark use. One lawyer told Daily Variety, 'People are expecting this to be the biggest settlement anywhere in legal history, outside of a class action suit. The numbers could be mind boggling.'"

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haunebu

Weak

09/13, 12:50pm, EDT

Well that just sucks, plain and simple. Here's hoping the judge isn't a total jackass and acts accordingly.

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koolkid1976

Yikes

09/13, 12:51pm, EDT

Say it ain't so.

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z10n

Heh

09/13, 12:54pm, EDT

IMHO, this is payback for apple investing WAY too many resources in the whole iPod/iTunes thing. Apple should first and foremost be about the mac.

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bbxstudio

McCartney's a money whor

09/13, 12:54pm, EDT

I'm a big fan, but this is stretching it - when's the last time Apple Records issued a release? Is anybody in the marketplace actually confused by Apples and Apples in this case? I seriously doubt it. Apple should just spin off a new company called iTunes rather than pay out to the beyond irrelevant Apple Records.

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PookJP

Simply Pathetic

09/13, 12:54pm, EDT

It's a wonderful commentary on the legal system that a currently worthless label can somehow extort tens of millions out of a company who happens to share their name. Beyond that, the competition between the two is nonexistent. Unless Apple Computers is planning on starting a label, or Apple Records a computer manufacturing division, this entire lawsuit reeks of money grubbing desperation.

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DeepDish

M$ gets a hand slap for..

09/13, 12:55pm, EDT

M$ gets it's hand slapped for being a monolopy and Apple sells music and gets record fine.

then again, apple has been warned many times, it's their own fault for the huge fine.

Steve's ego can be expensize some times

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hayesk

COuld be big...

09/13, 12:58pm, EDT

Regardless of how incredibly stupid this suit is, expect the stock price to take a few bucks hit because of this. I just hope they get it over with soon.

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Nitride

Pay with Vouchers

09/13, 12:58pm, EDT

Perhaps Apple could do what Microsoft always does, pay the "fine" with software coupons/vouchers. Maybe for the iLife bundle?

That way Apple doesn't really pay *anything* and can massively increase their market reach at the same time! Just like Microsoft!

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dave a

Change their name...

09/13, 1:04pm, EDT

...it would be far cheaper to just change their name at this point. Yes, Apple has certain memories, but hell, they could switch to Mac Computers, Applied Computers, Jobs Computer, DumbLegalDepartment Computers, Butthead Musician Computers, etc., etc.

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LordJohnWhorfin

I suggest...

09/13, 1:09pm, EDT

Sosumi computer :)

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