Beatles - The Beatles Win In Wheelchair Dispute

Executives at Apple Corps, the company set up by members of the iconic group, disputed mobility aid company You-Q Bv's application to trademark the name Beatle for various land and air vehicles in 2004. They amended their trademark claims in 2005 to include just wheelchair products.

However, the European Union's Court of Justice has now ruled in favour of Apple Corps, which has previously trademarked the name for a wide range of products.

The panel of judges stated on Thursday (29Mar12) that the British band's image is "even after 50 years of existence, still synonymous with youth and a certain counter-culture of the 1960s, an image which is still positive and which could specifically benefit the goods covered by the mark applied for."

The judges added that if the application was granted, it would take unfair advantage of the Fab Four's "repute and the consistent selling power".