The Beatles + Apple: Friends, At Last!

Took long enough!

Many predictions were floating around following Steve Jobs' decision last month to play a Beatles track (from Sgt. Pepper's) while introducing his iPhone to the world. For those out of the loop, there has been long-standing trademark issues between the two. In fact, to this day, The Beatles are one of very few bands that do not have their music available via the iTunes store.

But that can very well change with this news, from Billboard: Mac computer and iPod maker Apple said today (Feb. 5) it settled long-simmering trademark issues with the Beatles' Apple Corps Ltd. company about the use of the name "Apple" and apple logos. The new settlement replaces the companies' 1991 agreement, and gives Apple Inc. ownership of all the trademarks related to "Apple." In addition, Apple Inc. will license certain of those trademarks back to Apple Corps for their continued use.

This settlement ends the ongoing trademark lawsuit between the companies, with each paying its own legal costs, and Apple Inc. will continue using its name and logos on iTunes. Further terms weren't disclosed. "We love the Beatles, and it has been painful being at odds with them over these trademarks," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs. "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 agreement may pave the way for the Beatles to finally begin selling their music in digital form via Apple's iTunes Music Store. A deal is rumored to be imminent but details have yet to be announced.