"Apple has been awarded control of the domain itunes.co.uk, even though it was registered before the Mac maker announced its online music service", The Register reports.
The decision concludes: "On the balance of probabilities, I find that the Domain Name, in the hands of the Respondent, is an Abusive Registration on the grounds of its use in a manner taking unfair advantage of, and being unfairly detrimental to, the Rights of the Complainant." The expert took into account the risk of confusion of "users expecting to find the website of the Complainant (as in France and Germany)."

UPDATE [3.30.05] The "ex-owner" would plan to take his legal battle to the High Court.