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Apple, Beatles Can Finally Come Together

Thursday, April 12th, 2007 at 9:55 AM - by

The Beatles have finally settled a dispute with EMI over £30 million (about US$59.29 million) in back royalty payments, clearing the way for the record label to start working on a deal to bring the Fab Four's music to the iTunes Store. The Telegraph reports that EMI reached a deal with The Beatles and their management company, Apple Corps, at the end of March.

Terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but the agreement opened the next door so that Apple Corps and EMI can start working on an agreement over royalties for songs distributed as music downloads. Once the groups settle on payment terms, The Beatles library can finally be offered for download though Apple's iTunes Store and other legal online music services.

The Beatles music library is one of the last remaining collections that isn't offered for legitimate online download. Industry experts are predicting that once available, the songs will net millions in sales and quickly climb to the top of the download hit charts.

The news that Apple Corps and EMI reached a royalty settlement comes only days after the surprise announcement that Neil Aspinall, Apple Corps CEO, is retiring after running the company for the past 38 years. No explanation for his decision to leave the company was given.

[Thanks to TMO reader Douglas Lee for the heads up.]

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vasic said:

member since 09 Aug 2005 with 279 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:07 am

It is still difficult to understand what is going through the minds of Apple Corps (Beatles) people. It has been said many times before (last time, when CD was introduced) that the new media is enormously beneficial for back catalogue owners. Apple Corp sits on one of the most valuable (if not THE most valuable) back catalogues in the world. The saying goes "How many times do I have to buy the White Album?". The count, so far, seems to be four (Vinyl, 8-track, Cassette, CD), or five (if we count MD). The consumers desperately want to make it six; however, Apple Corps still doesn't want their money.

Well, finally, it looks like this thing may happen after all. Apple Inc. (the Mac company) stands to cash in (literally, and especially figuratively) on it, Apple Corp will get another sizable cash injection from it, but it is the baby-boomer generation that will be most excited about this event. Finally, they'll get their chance to buy their White Album all over again...

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rpaege said:

member since 16 Dec 2005 with 96 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Thu Apr 12, 2007 4:14 pm

There are several other big-name bands which don't yet make their music available for digital download. Led Zeppelin and Jethro Tull are two I can name off the top of my head.

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dhp said:

member since 22 May 2003 with 182 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Thu Apr 12, 2007 4:33 pm

rpaege,

Jethro Tull is on iTunes - 30 albums. I believe their catalog was added fairly recently, perhaps in the last month.

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gslusher said:

member since 13 Nov 2002 with 2088 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:35 pm

vasic wrote:
It is still difficult to understand what is going through the minds of Apple Corps (Beatles) people. It has been said many times before (last time, when CD was introduced) that the new media is enormously beneficial for back catalogue owners. Apple Corp sits on one of the most valuable (if not THE most valuable) back catalogues in the world. The saying goes "How many times do I have to buy the White Album?". The count, so far, seems to be four (Vinyl, 8-track, Cassette, CD), or five (if we count MD). The consumers desperately want to make it six; however, Apple Corps still doesn't want their money.

You might find more from the original Telegraph article. It seems that there has been a dispute over royalty payments going on for several years. Those legal hassles might have prevented Apple Corps from negotiating with Apple, Inc., for distribution of the Beatles catalog.

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