Okay, on this, the day of Condoleeza Rice’s expected testimony to the 9/11 commission, the news that London will be the venue for Apple Corps’ third lawsuit against Apple Computer isn’t the most earth-shattering current event.
Still, hearing about this latest legal action from the suit-happy remaining Beatles McCartney and Starr irritates the shite out of me.
“Sir” Paul McCartney’s history of litigation goes back to 1970, at which time he sued his fellow Beatles. He’s filed various lawsuits through the years, against MP3.com, Zimet and a collection of tabloid rags. His child bride, Heather Mills, once bragged in an interview about how they use the proceeds of these suits to fund the charities with which they are affiliated.
I’ll admit to being as ignorant as a sack of rocks about the details of Apple Corps continuing battle against Apple Computer. As a consumer and a follower of popular culture, though, it strikes me as unseemly and money-grubbing for the richest celebrity in the world to be sticking his hands, once again, into the not-so-deep pockets of the “think different” company.
I mean, c’mon, who’s going to confuse an iPod (and iMusic) with the Beatles, fer pete’s sake?
If Paul and Heather want to financially support worthwhile causes, I think that’s great. But with assets estimated at over $1 Billion and annual earnings of almost $200 Million, they can bloody well afford to do their charitable giving on their own.