Finally, after what seems like an eternity of legal wrangling, Apple and Apple have settled their dispute. Apple Corps (the record label) and Apple Inc (the technology company) have come to an arrangement where it seems both get to keep their brand names. The deal apparently involves some kind of complex licensing of the brand from the latter to the former, but both companies are keeping the details close to their chest.
Analysts believe that this hasn’t just saved face for both companies, but opened new revenue streams and consumer segments to each as the Beatles back catalogue finally becomes available to iTunes users, and the record label can finally join the digital download age. The might of both big Apples may even see the Beatles back at number one in the charts, such is the download clout of Apple’s iTunes (controlling 65-70% of the market).
The deal will no doubt remain something of a Magical Mystery Tour, but now that they’ve both Come Together, we can all Let It Be. One thing is clear, without this deal, both brands could have been going Nowhere Man.
