Beatles beaten by Apple

The Beatles, having released some old-fashioned records with an Apple logo around the hole in the middle were miffed with Apple Computer because it now sells the bits of code that have replaced records.

Apple Computer said it doesn't really sell music and is not really in the music business so it hasn't broken the promise made to the popsters some time back. It says its iTunes are merely data and therefore it simply runs a data transmission service

The Apple Corporation, on behalf of Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison said this was cobblers, and took Apple Computer to court back in March.

But a judge today decided that Apple's claim isn't actually cobblers and refused to award the poor Beatles any compensation.

The Apple Corporation says it will appeal the decision. In a statement, manager Neil Aspinall said: "With great respect to the trial judge, we consider he has reached the wrong conclusion.

Apple Computer chief Steve Jobs said he was glad the matter behind him. "We have always loved The Beatles," he said, apparently using the royal 'We', "hopefully we can now work together to get them on the iTunes Music Store."

Some hope. µ

See Also:
Beatles "bigger than Steve Jobs"

L'INQ
The Times has posted the judgement in full, here.