Yeah, Jackson bought the copyrights to the Lennon and McCartney songs in [link|http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:Iykgsd4mCZ8J:www.newsday.com/entertainment/la-fi-beatles16apr16,0,1581071.story%3Fcoll%3Dny-entertainment-headlines+Sony/ATV+beatles&hl=en|1985]. They're half-owned by Sony now.

The dispute with Apple Corps. (records) is over [link|http://www.beatlesnews.com/news_2004.htm#apple|trademarks]. (That site also lists legal troubles between Jackson/Sony and Harrison's estate.)

It could be a big deal if Apple (Mac) loses to Apple (Records) as presumably they could be forced to change their name.

As for what Apple (records) owns these days, I don't think it's very much. I think the record company had pretty much shriveled by the time the Beatles broke up in 1970. I recall in Lennon's Playboy interview that he talked about Apple being little more than a filing cabinet somewhere. But I'm no expert.

FWIW.

Cheers,
Scott.