March 10th, 2008
Sony/ATV, Apple Deny Rumors of iTunes Beatles Deal
By Michael Santo
Editor-in-Chief, RealTechNews
Sorry, Beatles fans: two sources are throwing cold water on rumors that Paul McCartney has sold the rights to the Beatles back catalog to iTunes.
First, a denial by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which is the joint venture owned by Sony and singer Michael Jackson. Sony/ATV owns the publishing rights to the vast majority of the catalog (EMI owns the recording rights). Thus, as a Sony/ATV spokeswoman said, had a deal been made, Sony/ATV would “absolutely be informed.”
Meanwhile, Apple made a similar denial, with a spokeperson saying “This is not news, nor is it a scoop.”
Rumors of an iTunes / Beatles deal turn up seemingly every few months or so, perhaps due to wishful thinking on the part of Beatles fans. This time the story seemed legitimate, with three major British newspapers reporting it.
Apparently, the respectability of the sources didn’t have much to do with the validity of the story. Well, just because it didn’t happen now, doesn’t mean it won’t happen in the future. Beatles fans can continue to hope.
Kevin K. says:
I swear, these people all ought to get some sort of life. Like they all don’t already own all the Beatles music or that it’s impossible to find at the local library CD collection!
All the Beatles’ music is out there without it being on iTunes or any survivors making even more money off of the tunes.
Besides, how many times can you listen to the same songs over and over and over anyway, especially songs that are 45 years old?
March 11th, 2008 at 8:11 am
We don't need no stinkin' Beatles says:
I agree. Who doesn’t have all the beatles songs they want — and then some. Who cares if it ever comes to iTunes. When the Beatles put out a new tune call me.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:57 pm