Aussie firm settles legal stoush with Apple

Local computer equipment provider MacPro settled its long-running trademark battle with tech giant Apple in the Federal Court today.

In May 2006, Apple attempted to register a trademark with IP Australia for the words, "MacPro" and "Mac Pro". In August of the same year, Melbourne-based IT company MacPro opposed the trademark, filing a notice of opposition with IP Australia. At the time, no official trademark for the name was held by the Melbourne IT provider, rather it had been trading as MacPro since 1983.

The court heard today that Apple and Macpro had reached a settlement over the trademarks.

As a result of the settlement, Macpro has withdrawn its objections over the trademark registration, allowing Apple to trademark the terms for use with certain goods and services.

"The mark is to proceed to registration without conditions or limitations," IP Australia said in a statement.

At the time of the opposition, MacPro filed a separate request to trademark its business name, which was subsequently blocked by Apple. According to IP Australia, that dispute is still unresolved.

"The registrar is not privy to any commercial arrangements between the two parties [as] that matter is still progressing," IP Australia added.

Lawyers from Blake Dawson representing MacPro today presented Justice Emmett with settlement documents, signed by both parties and the deputy registrar of Trademarks.

"The parties have reached agreement," a lawyer from Blake Dawson told Justice Emmett today.

"A letter signed by the deputy registrar of trademarks [indicates] he has no objection," MacPro's representation added.

ZDNet Australia contacted Apple and MacPro to discuss the settlement itself. Both declined to comment.