Today marks a new day for both Apple Inc. and Apple Corps, since both parties have entered into a new trademark agreement that will replace their 1991 agreement regarding the use of the corporate name “Apple.”
While the two Apple parties have been in conflict since the early 1980’s, the real battle began in 2003 when Apple Corps sued Apple Inc., claiming the use of the Apple logo on iPod’s and iTunes violated the terms in the 1991 agreement. An English judge determined that Apple Inc. had not violated the terms of the agreement, but none the less both groups have continued to hold a grudge against one another.
Apple Corps and Apple Inc. announced today in a joint statement that, the lawsuit between the two was officially over, and a new agreement has been set up that states Apple Inc. will own all trademarks related to “Apple,” and will license some of those trademarks to Apple Corps for its use. Apple Inc. will continue to use its name and logos on iTunes, and both parties will pay their own legal fees.
Apple Inc.’s CEO, Steve Jobs said today, “If feels great to resolve this in a positive manner, and in a way that should remove the potential of further disagreements in the future.”
Apple Corps manager, Neil Aspinall also issued a statement saying, “The years ahead are going to be very exciting times for us. We wish Apple Inc. every success and look forward to many years of peaceful co-operation with them.”
This news comes just in time for Valentine’s Day, which has been rumored to be the day when Apple Inc. is supposed to release The Beatles Cirque du Soleil project, Love via iTunes.
