dmv wrote:

LONDON (Reuters) - Apple Computer has won its trademark dispute with the Beatles, part of a long and winding road of legal battles which may lead the band's famous songs to the door of Apple's market-leading iTunes Music Store.

Someone had too much fun writing a lede.

Ugh. That's terrible, but oh so commmon.

On another note, I wish people would stop saying the case involves "the Beatles". Yes, yes, Apple Corps doesn't do much else but it's not like Ringo and Yoko are directly involved here.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to point out what a bunch of money grubbing hypocrites some of the Beatles have become, and I refuse to buy their music (new or old) at retail as a result.

Anyway, I memed a link to the judge's opinion, which is quite lengthy and worth reading if you're really interested in this case. I think that Apple Corps is quite wrong in their assertions (to the extent I am competent to interpret legal documents... somewhat moreso than most people, but not comprehensively) and I'm glad to see this come down this way.

Fundamentally I dislike their position in this case for the same reason I dislike patent trolls... they're trying to make money through litigation alone. It's certainly their right, but I'd rather support innovation -- that's true for art just as it's true for any other product.

-k]