Reardon Anderson - May 2021

APPLE CORPS VS. APPLE COMPUTER A CAUTIONARY TALE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

Apple Computers is wildly successful today, but it engaged in lawsuits over its name for nearly three decades. How do you get out of it and still thrive? Here's what we can learn from the Apple Corps (the multimedia company founded by the Beatles) and Apple Computer lawsuits. HOW THE TRADEMARK DISPUTE STARTED Apple Corps is a holding company that owns the Beatles’ record company (Apple Records) and maintains the Beatles legacy. And while it might seem strange that a company in the music industry would sue a technology company simply over a shared name, that’s how it began. From 1978 to 1981, Apple Corps battled Apple Computers over their name in London courts until they finally reached a settlement. The amount Apple Computers paid was later revealed to be about $80,000. Apple Computers agreed to never enter the music industry, while, likewise, Apple Corps agreed to never produce computers.

them again in 1991, saying that this violated their 1981 agreement. This time, Apple Computer paid $26.5 million and agreed to never package, sell, or distribute physical music materials, such as CDs. That’s why the introduction of iTunes caused quite a stir. A BATTLE FINALLY WON In 2003, Apple Corps alleged that the online iTunes music store violated their contractual agreement that Apple Computer would never enter the music business. However, the main question that the High Court of London decided was whether Apple’s iTunes online music store distributed physical copies of music. Ultimately, the legal dispute ended in Apple Computer’s favor. But who was in the wrong? Some say that Apple Corps was too litigious, but considering that iTunes transformed the music industry forever, it’s hard to pick a side. One thing is for sure: If Apple Inc. never created iTunes or included sounds in its computers, it may not have been the massively successful company it is today. Even at the risk of potential legal backlash, it goes to show that a little fearlessness and innovation pays off.

Then, Apple Computer added sound to its computers (i.e., when you turn on an Apple computer or delete a file). Apple Corps sued

GRILLED CORN WITH PLANT-BASED AIOLI

INGREDIENTS

4 ears corn, unhusked

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 clove garlic

Sea salt, to taste

1/4 cup unsweetened soy milk

1/2 cup raw spinach

1/2 cup sunflower oil

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pot, boil corn for 30 minutes. 2. In a large blender or food processor, add garlic, soy milk, sunflower oil, vinegar, and salt. Combine until smooth by pulsing the blades. 3. Once the aioli mixture is blended, add raw spinach and blend again. 4. Drain corn and transfer to the grill for 10 minutes, rotating as necessary. 5. Taste aioli for consistency and flavor. Add more milk or oil to thicken it and add more salt to taste. 6. Top corn with aioli and serve.

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