Firm Told to Halt Sale of Gold-Plated Beatles Records

A federal judge in Los Angeles, in a preliminary ruling, has ordered a Tustin company to stop selling gold-plated records by the Beatles.

Tuesday’s order by U.S. District Judge Robert M. Takasugi came as part of a lawsuit filed in April by London-based Apple Corp. Ltd. alleging that by selling the records, California Gold Record Co. “usurped” Apple’s exclusive rights to license the Beatle trademark record covers and likenesses of the group members.

Takasugi’s order forbids California Gold from continuing to sell the records, which retail for up to $200. The order will remain in effect until the case goes to trial.

Raymond J. Heslin, attorney for Apple Corp., said California Gold “would take a Beatles’ album cover, put it in an oak frame, gold-plate the record and attach a plaque” saying the record was “in recognition of the prestigious achievement in reaching million-seller award status.”

Heslin said that Neil Papiano, an attorney for California Gold, had argued that the records are protected under copyright law, and because Capitol Records owns the copyright, Apple Corp. had no right to sue.

But Heslin contended the case does not involve copyright, only the right to publicity. He also argued that California Gold had presented no credible testimony to show it had received permission from anyone to manufacture and sell the records.