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AppleJazz founder Charlie Bertini has taken the upper hand against one of the largest companies in the world, Apple Inc.
The US appeals court had ruled in favor of Bertini over a federal trademark for “Apple Music.” The battle began when Apple made claims it had priority over Bertini’s “Apple Jazz” trademark rights based on the company’s ownership of an earlier 1968 trademark from the Beatles record label, which was named Apple Corps Ltd.
The courts rejected the claim made by Apple with reasoning that Apple couldn’t transfer over a trademark from another company for their live performances. Apple Corps trademark was for sound recordings, which is considered a different category of goods.
Bertini first began to use “Apple Jazz” in 1985 when he launched the festival in Cortland. Cortland County being famous for its apple production, Apple Jazz was the perfect name. The event ran for nearly 30 years.
You may read the full court opinions HERE.
