The Beatles have finally decided that they are interested in making their music digitally available online, but are currently in talks and on a lookout for an online provider to resell its music and make an exclusive deal with. They are primarily interested in Microsoft, but its music service has not fully launched yet. Another option they considered is Rhapsody, but this may not have enough of an impact.
While Apple iTunes may appear to be ideal, there are legal disputes between the Beatles label Apple and the computer company Apple. An earlier agreement restricted the Apple computer company from being involved in the music industry and they have violated that by starting up the iTunes service. The other option would be for The Beatles to launch its own online store, which would sell other merchandise by the Beatles. EMI has welcomed the band's interest. GristyMcFisty submitted the following news via our news submit :
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It appears that Real Networks are also in the frame, though its Rhapsody service has not had a significant impact. Apple's market-leading iTunes Music Store is likely to be excluded for the time being, unsurprising given the past and present legal disputes concerning the Apple name shared by the computer company and The Beatles Apple Corps company. Apple Corps is currently suing its namesake, alleging that the iTMS contravenes an earlier agreement between the two companies which sought to restrict Apple Computer's activity in the music industry. One alternative possibility is that The Beatles could launch their own online store, selling all their merchandise but including a digital music channel supplied by one of the downloads services. The online release of The Beatles recording is expected to give the fledgling industry a huge boost and will doubtlessly attract widespread media coverage. EMI, which owns the Beatles recordings, has welcomed the band's new stance. 'We've had several discussions with them, because we think it would be terrific to make all The Beatles' work available in digital services,' said EMI spokeswoman Jeanne Meyer. 'We would be delighted if they made that decision.' |
The Beatles were one of the few major bands that have resisted making their music available through a legal download service and it is nice to see them planning to change their attitude to online music stores. It is a pity they are in legal disputes with Apple as this would have been the ideal service to distribute its music through since iTunes is the market leader in the US.
Source: PC PRO News
