Earlier today, we reported that IDG World Expos and Apple were in the middle of a schoolyard showdown, with each party raising the stakes in public statements. News.com is reporting this afternoon that the two companies have backed down from some of the rhetoric, and begun talking about the issues. The short version of the story is that Apple will for sure attend Macworld San Francisco in January, as well as the New York 2003 show, and that the two companies are discussing Appleis role in the Boston show, come 2004. From News.com:

However, IDG has now backpedaled from that stance. On Monday, the trade show organizer said Apple will indeed take part in Januaryis Macworld Expo in San Francisco and said the parties remain in talks about Appleis participation in future East Coast shows.

"IDG World Expo and Apple have...agreed to hold ongoing discussions about Appleis role in upcoming East Coast Macworld events," IDG said in a statement it sent to CNET News.com. An Apple representative declined to comment

[...]

"Macworld July 2003 (in New York) is on, period. Macworld July 2004 Boston is on...Weire on with or without them ," Greco told CNET News.com last week. "We would very much prefer that they come and support the event as they have for 18 years."

Greco said that IDG World Expo probably does have a way out of its multiyear contract with Boston, but said that Macworld Expo is definitely moving to Beantown.

"We have lots of options here in Boston, but we are not going to exercise them," Greco said, adding that the Boston show will be cheaper to run and less expensive for companies that want to set up a booth at the event. "It will do better here," Greco said. "It will be more profitable for exhibitors."

There is more background information in the full News.com story, including possible routes that Apple may take going forward.