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Apple sueing Apple over app
It's on in the UK...

By Reuters

Published: Wednesday 07 April 2004

The legal battle between computer maker Apple and the Beatles' management company Apple over whether iTunes breaks their earlier agreement is set to be heard in the UK

Apple Computer on Tuesday lost a High Court bid to have a legal case brought by the management company of the legendary Beatles band moved from the UK to the United States.

The California computer maker has been embroiled in a trademark dispute since September with the similarly named London-based Apple Corps, the company formed in 1968 to manage the band's business interests and act as its music label.

Apple Corps took the Mac maker to court, accusing it of violating a 1991 agreement that specified that it could use the Apple trademark for computer products only.

The Fab Four's management said Apple Computer broke the agreement when it used its logo and trademark to promote its iTunes online music store, the most popular Internet download service in the world.

A London High Court judge on Tuesday struck down Apple's request to have the case heard by California courts. The iPod maker had argued that because the original agreement between the two companies was struck in that state, it was the proper place for the hearing.

Launched a year ago, iTunes has given hope to weary music executives looking for an industry-backed online music store capable of derailing free file-sharing networks such as WinMX and Kazaa.