[Updated 5:50 PM] Thanks to Observer Tony and Macsurfer's Headline News for pointing us to this Law News Network story [Link no longer functional as of 9/12/2003 - Editor] that explains this situation in much more detail. If you are interested in this, please check it out.

Thanks to Observer Jeff Keivlan and MacInTouch for pointing us to this story. CBS Marketwatch is reporting that "Apple Computer must pay Apple Corps." [Link no longer functional as of 9/12/2003 - Editor] The suit involves Apple Corp., a record company founded by all four Beatles in 1968. Apple Corp sued Apple Computer and agreed to settle the case as long as Apple stayed out of the music business. According to the article, an appeals court ordered Apple Computer to pay the record company US$26.4 million.

"The payment is part of a settlement reached in 1990 after Apple Corps claimed Apple Computer had breached an earlier agreement to stay out of the music business."

The judges also ruled that Apple could not pass the fine on to their insurance company. Apple will appeal the ruling. Read the CBS Marketwatch article for more.

The Mac Observer Spin: If any Observers know more about this case, please send us what you know. Specifically, what has Apple done to violate the agreement not to enter into the music industry and why would the Court order Apple not to pass the fine off to their insurance company (which insure against just such an eventuality).

It is sad to see one of our favorite music groups of all time pitted against our favorite computer manufacturer, but trademarks are trademarks.