McCartney: Beatles coming to iTunes

Stephen Withers
Monday, 14 May 2007 04:10

Your IT - Home IT

Beatles tracks should soon be available on Apple's iTunes Store, Paul McCartney has told a US music trade magazine.

According to Billboard, the former Beatle said a deal to finally bring The Beatles to iTunes is "virtually settled".

Relationships between Mac and iPod maker Apple (formerly Apple Computer) and the Beatles company Apple Corps have long been strained over trademark issues. A final settlement was reached earlier this year, clearing the way for Apple Corps to start selling music via the iTunes Store.

But that wasn't the only obstacle. Apple Corps has been generally reluctant to sell via online distribution, and it remains to be seen what caused the change of heart.

When Apple CEO Steve Jobs used Beatles material in the iPhone demo at Macworld Expo in January, many observers took this as a sign that relationships between the two Apples were thawing and that the Beatles back catalogue would soon be available on iTunes. And when EMI and Apple held a recent media conference, there was great expectation that it would involve the Beatles, though it turned out to be the announcement of DRM-free tracks at higher prices.

McCartney's forthcoming album, to be released by Starbucks' Hear Music, will also be sold via iTunes.