Artist’s Corner
THE BEATLES Arrive on iTunes
Legendary music group THE BEATLES have made their music available on iTunes as of November 16, 2010. Tracks from all of the band’s albums were made available for purchase individually or as complete iTunes LPs. Apple announced the arrival of the band’s catalog on its website, with a picture of the “Fab Four” taking up the front page. A special section of Apple’s website dedicated to The Beatles was also launched.
The arrival of The Beatles on iTunes was a long road, completed more than seven years after the iTunes Store first began selling music. Apple, Inc. and the Beatles’ parent company, Apple Corp, were engaged in a trademark dispute for years, before it was finally settled in 2007.
In 1991, the two had updated a 10-year-old agreement regarding how each of them would be allowed to use its trademarks. Apple Inc. (at the time known as Apple Computer Inc.) paid Apple Corps $27 million and agreed not to enter the music distribution business under the Apple name and logo. Apple Corps later said that the computer maker broke that agreement by opening the iTunes Store, and sued in 2003. Apple Computer eventually emerged victorious when a U.K. judge ruled that it was not in violation of the agreement because it was selling prerecorded content, not original music under the logo. The dispute was officially resolved in 2007, when a new deal replaced the 1991 agreement, which prohibited Apple Inc. from distributing music through physical media such as CDs and cassette tapes.
The parties involved in the latest deal commented on the arrival of the songs from The Beatles on iTunes:
“We’re really excited to bring the Beatles’ music to iTunes,” said PAUL McCARTNEY. “It’s fantastic to see the songs we originally released on vinyl receive as much love in the digital world as they did the first time around.”
“I am particularly glad to no longer be asked when the Beatles are coming to iTunes,” said RINGO STARR.
“We love the Beatles and are honored and thrilled to welcome them to iTunes,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “It has been a long and winding road to get here. Thanks to the Beatles and EMI, we are now realizing a dream we’ve had since we launched iTunes ten years ago.”
Apple Insider, November 16, 2010
CNet News, November 16, 2010 (Erica Ogg)
HORRORPOPS’ DAY In Court Against Barbie Maker
PATRICIA DAY, lead singer of the psychobilly style band, HORRORPOPS, is suing Mattel for infringement for using her likeness to create the new “Rockabilly Barbie” doll.
Day, a Danish citizen now living in the US, filed suit in federal court in Indianapolis against Barbie-maker Mattel and Hard Rock Cafe International, Inc. The suit charges infringement of the right of publicity and false endorsement.
In her lawsuit, Day charges that in recent months Mattel and Hard Rock have released a series of rock ‘n’ roll-themed Barbies featuring pioneering female musicians including DEBBIE HARRY of BLONDIE, JOAN JETT and CYNDI LAUPER. Another doll, called the “Hard Rock Cafe Rockabilly Barbie Doll,” is made in the image of Day but lacks any direct acknowledgement of the singer.
“Day has provided no authorization to defendants for the use of her likeness in any manner, let alone for the creation and sale of a Barbie doll,” the suit charges. It cites that she is known for her black hair meticulously done in 50s pin-up fashion, heavily-applied black eye shadow, deep red lipstick, form-fitting 50s-style pencil skirts, tattoos on her upper arms and her giant tattooed upright bass. All are features shared by the Hard Rock’s Barbie doll.
Since the release of the Hard Rock Barbie, Day has been repeatedly approached by fans who have been perplexed by the striking resemblance of the Hard Rock Barbie to her likeness and persona and who have expressed disappointment in their (mistaken) belief that Day would permit such a use of her likeness in a manner, “so at odds with her values and the values of her fans,” the lawsuit charges.
Hard Rock and Mattel have not yet responded to the lawsuit, which demands the defendants stop selling the doll in question and pay Day their profits from the doll sales.
Las Vegas Sun, December 25, 2010 (Steve Green)