Apple Corps v. iTunes

London. Apple Computer won its courtroom battle against the Beatles on May 8, 2006 when Mr. Jusitce Mann found no breach of a 1991 out-of-court settlement agreement between Apple Computer and Apple Corps, which included a $26 million payment by Apple Computer and set out areas in which each party would have exclusive use of their respective logos.

The Court ruled that Apple Computer’s iTunes was primarily a data transmission service and permitted by the agreement.

“I think the use of the apple logo is a fair and reasonable use of the mark in connection with the service,” Mann said, referring to a central argument of Apple Corps over the use of the Apple Computer logo within the iTunes Music Store.

Apple Corps said it would appeal the decision. Apple Computer was awarded court costs.