Beatles' firm, iPod maker seal Apple deal

Apple Corps, the Beatles' record company, and Apple Inc., creator of the iconic iPod and Mac computers, said Monday they have settled their latest trademark dispute.

"We love the Beatles, and it has been painful being at odds with them over these trademarks," Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs said in a statement.

"It feels great to resolve this in a positive manner, and in a way that should remove the potential of further disagreements in the future."

The deal ends the dispute, with the stylish technology giant now taking control of all trademarks related to the name Apple.

However, it will license certain trademarks back to the record company for its continued use.

"The years ahead are going to be very exciting times for us. We wish Apple Inc. every success and look forward to many years of peaceful co-operation with them," said Neil Aspinall, manager of Apple Corps, which guards the famous band's musical heritage.

Financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed. The deal also ends the trademark lawsuit between the two sides, with each company to pay its own legal costs.

In 2006, Apple Corps owned by surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono and the estate of the late George Harrison took Apple Inc. to court in London.

At issue was whether the California-based computer company's hugely succesful iTunes online music store infringed on a previous 1991 agreement with the Beatles company.

In May, the judge ruled that Apple Inc. could use its logo on the iTunes Music Store without infringing the trademark of Apple Corps.

The legal fight was the third Apple Corps had launched against the computer giant in the past 30 years.

It continues to aggressively protect the business interests of the Beatles. For instance, it has also launched lawsuits against music label EMI over allegations of unpaid royalties.

Apple Corps has also refrained from allowing songs from the Beatles catalogue to be sold online, although unauthorized versions are already traded between file sharers.