News

Apple Calls Beatles Deal Speculation

Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 at 9:15 AM - by

Apple Inc. is denying claims that it has signed a deal to bring the Beatles library to the iTunes Store. Rumors began circulating that the two parties had struck a deal after word surfaced last week that Sir Paul McCartney is ready to offer the band's works as digital downloads.

An Apple spokesperson called the rumors "unsubstantiated speculation," and added "This is not news nor is it a scoop," according to Billboard.

The Beatles have remained as one of the last big holdouts in the online music download market in part because of unresolved legal issues. One of the last apparent hurdles to bringing the Fab Four's collection online has been the pending divorce of Sir McCartney and his soon-to-be ex-wife Heather Mills.

Once Sir McCartney's divorce is finalized, the group's management company, Apple Corps, should be able to start working on potential digital distribution deals. Based on Apple's response, however, iTunes users shouldn't expect to be able to purchase the band's works online right away.

Neither Apple Inc., or Apple Corps is offering a firm timeline, but Sir McCartney did state "it's down to fine-tuning, but I'm pretty sure it'll be happening next year, 2008."

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makuribu said:

member since 12 Mar 2008 with 1 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:59 am

I don't see what this deal is about getting the Beatles into the iTunes store.

Apple Inc. Apple Corps. That's about as clever as Uma, Oprah.

The Beatles catalog has not changed substantially in about 40 years. Surely everybody who wants the Beatles on their iPod must have ripped the music from a CD by now.

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