Apple’s legal difference with the Beatles’ company, Apple Corps Ltd., have been settled, according to a press release offered by the two organizations on Monday.
Apple Corps. sued Apple in 2003 for breach of contract, alleging Apple’s move into the music space with the iPod and iTunes Store violated the terms of a 1991 agreement. Apple later won the case — an English judge declared that use of apple’s logot was still permitted under the terms of that agreement. Apple Corps stated that it would appeal the ruling.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs stated that the resolution will “remove the potential of further disagreements in the future.”
Neil Aspinall, Apple Corps general manager, said that his company looks forward to “many years of peaceful cooperation” with Apple.
The two companies stated that they’ve entered into a new agreement regarding the use of the Apple brand and logos — an agreement which replaces the 1991 agreement. Apple will own all trademarks related to “Apple” and will license certain trademarks back to Apple Corps for their continued use. Apple will also continue to use its name and logos on iTunes.
The actual terms of the settlement are confidential, although both organizations said they agreed to bear their own legal costs.