Apple, Beatles Settle Trademark Spat

Apple said Monday that it had reached an agreement with The Beatles' Apple Corps Ltd., which settles any trademark issues between the two companies. It is not immediately clear, however, if the settlement includes putting the band's music on iTunes.

It would likely not be known until Tuesday whether the agreement contained such a provision, as that is the day Apple updates its iTunes Store. But the appearance of Beatle music at the Macworld keynote has nevertheless started the rumor mill.

This latest agreement replaces a 1991 pact between the two parties, and would permit Apple to continue using all its trademarks without the threat of legal action. Apple would in turn license some of its trademarks back to Apple Corps.

iTunes would also be permitted to continue operation, a sticking point that brought on this latest round of legal wrangling. However, Apple Corps lost a legal battle with Apple in London's High Court in May, which put the label at a bargaining disadvantage.

"We love the Beatles, and it has been painful being at odds with them over these trademarks," Apple CEO Steve Jobs said in a statement. "It feels great to resolve this in a positive manner, and in a way that should remove the potential of further disagreements in the future."

This latest spat was the third time the two companies have been at odds. The first in 1980 was over the Apple name, which was settled for a small sum and with the agreement that Apple would stay out of the music business.

The second involved music software produced by Apple that allowed the computers to play and edit music tracks. This latest suit, specifically over iTunes, began in 2003.