By Ryan Olson

The multi-decade trademark spat between computer maker Apple Inc. and Beatles music-holding company Apple Corps appears to have reached yet another amicable conclusion.

According to an announcement from Apple Inc. on Monday, the two companies have signed a new agreement that will replace a deal they struck in 1991. The news comes a month after the computer maker’s annual Macworld show in San Francisco renewed speculation among Beatles fans about when music from the Fab Four would be available via the popular iTunes digital music store.

“We love the Beatles, and it has been painful being at odds with them over these trademarks. It feels great to resolve this in a positive matter,” Apple CEO Steve Jobs said in a statement.

As part of the confidential settlement, Cupertino, California-based Apple now owns all ‘Apple’ trademarks and will license some of them back to Apple Corps for continued use. Apple Inc. will continue to use its name and logo on iTunes.

While Apple Inc. did not release any additional information about when Beatles music might be available on iTunes, talk on the subject has been circulating for some time (see I Wanna Hold Your… iPod?).

I Wanna Hold Your… iPod?

Beatles fans found new hope last month when Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs referred to the band several times during his keynote address at the Macworld conference in San Francisco. Mr. Jobs played the Beatles song “Lovely Rita” and displayed cover art from the albums “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Abbey Road” during a presentation that included the debut of the company’s new iPhone (see Apple Introduces iPhone).

Mr. Jobs did not, however, allude to when the popular music might be available for download.

Long Time Coming

The new Apple-Apple agreement marks the end of a trademark spat between the two companies that has gone on for more than 25 years. In 1981 Apple Inc.—then known as Apple Computer—paid $80,000 to Apple Corps as part of a settlement that included a provision stating that the computer maker would not enter the music business.

The Apple battle flared up in 1991, this time resulting in a payment of more than $26 million to Apple Corps relating to the creation of a sound associated with the Macintosh computer operating system.

After a 15-year hiatus, the tussle began anew in March 2006, when Apple Corps claimed Apple Computer was unfairly using the name “Apple” to sell music online (see Beatles Suit Rocks iTunes).

Beatles Suit Rocks iTunesIn May, London’s High Court ruled in favor of Apple Inc., saying the iPod maker’s logo did not infringe on Beatles trademarks. “I think the use of the apple logo is a fair and reasonable use of the mark in connection with the service,” said Mr. Justice Mann, the ruling judge in the case (see Beatles Lose Apple Suit).