Apple vs Apple: The date is set

Apple Computer - the iPod maker - and Apple Corps - the Beatles' record label - are due to face each other in court next year over trademark usage, filings by Apple Computer have revealed.

According to the Apple record label, Apple Computer has reneged on an earlier trademarks agreement, signed in 1991, and filed suit against the company in November 2004.

Apple Computer's latest filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission has revealed that the Apple vs Apple case is set to go to trial on the week of 27 March 2006.

The legal battle centres on which of the two companies has the right to use the trademark Apple in relation to music. According to Apple Corps, iTunes infringes the earlier agreement between the two which stipulates Apple Computer must keep its distance from the music business.

As part of the 1991 agreement, Apple Corps got the rights to use Apple in relation to creative works whose principal content is music, while Apple Computer retained the right to use the name on goods and services used to play music.

Apple Corps has taken issue with Apple Computer's use of the trademark in the past, although the pair have always settled out of court, with Apple Computer's biggest payment to the record label topping $25m.

Apple Corps is now suing Steve Jobs and co for "unspecified damages and other relief", the filing says.