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Apple did have to get a waiver from Apple Records in England, IiRC, which predated them by almost a decade.



It's important to note that this wasn't a waiver, this was multiple settlement agreements. Apple Corps sued Apple Computer at least four times:

- First in 1978, for merely being called Apple. They settled with an agreement to not enter into each other's businesses.

- Second, in 1986. Apple Computer put sound chips and MIDI ports into the Apple IIGS. Apple Corps sues claiming violation of the settlement agreement, because apparently just being able to play music makes it a trademark violation now.

- Third, in 1991. Apple Corps buys a new Macintosh and notices one of the system sounds is called Sosumi[0]. So they do. The settlement agreement now basically just prohibits Apple Computer from selling physical music.

- Fourth, in 2003. Apple Computer opens a digital music store. Apple Corps sues despite the settlement agreement clearly stating they only have rights to sell physical music with the Apple branding. They lose.

[0] Pronounced "So Sue Me"


I knew when I said IIRC that I probably did not remember correctly. It was only the 1978 settlement that stuck in my head.




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