Can't imagine Apple Corps. being real eager to hop into the sack with Apple Computer... and, with Sir McCartney needing some additional cash flow to reduce the pain of his impending alimony, I'm sure Microsoft was more than willing to overpay handsomely for such a trophy. Complete conjecture, and it pains me to say so, but the safe money is on Zune.

1. Exclusive rights to Beatles tunes would be the only compelling reason for many poeple to purchase a Zune. Let's hope Apple didn't burn too many bridges during those lawsuits and that Apple Corps haven't inked-up with M$.

2. An Apple/Apple Corps deal be a wonderful coup to anounce just as Zune hits stores to make its launch even more of a disaster.

ft

Too bad for Paul and Apple Corps. if they don't have the good sense to sell their wares through the number one, worldwide leader in music sales, the iTMS. Their suit against Apple Computer was ridiculous, however, which doesn't bode well for their future good judgment.

who cares - really, this is ancient history. move on. the're only interested in the money, this is just sad. maybe they should should put more effort into new music.

I guess we'll find out tomorrow (nov. 14 launch?) but i must completely agree with lockhartt on this one. monople$oft needs to make a splash and this would be one without a doubt. And Richard comes through with another truth: they're only interested in the money. Paul, Yoko and (to a lesser degree) Ringo need to keep their palaces spit-shine clean. They're sellouts and will kneal before Mr. $ofty the moment he cracks the seal on the checkbook. Why wait for 400 million downloads when you can get a $200 million exclusive deal upfront?

...most of the Zune users will not be interested in the Beatles even if they do partner with Microsoft.

What do they think the "social" will be in the work place with users over the age of 50? Sure I know there a lot of Beatles fans that are teenagers but the bulk of the fans are not.

I think we'll see the Beatles catalogue on both iTunes and the Zune Market Place. Although it wouldn't suprise me in the least to see MS pony up a multi-million dollar exclusivity rights package that would be in place for a certain amount of time before it expires then giving iTunes a crack at it. Although if I was Steve Jobs and that was offered to me I would tell Apple Corps to go take a "flying leap" aka: kiss my a$$! Apple Corps needs iTunes waaaay more than iTunes needs the Beatles. That is just a fact.

Kind of hope M$ does pony up a shitload of money for the exclusive: they're trying to sell Zune to a hip, young demographic and saying 'we bought the beatles contract' kind of contradicts this.

That said, I'm a bit of a Beatles fan, but all their stuff on my iPod was ripped from CDs. Real fans want stuff they can touch...

When the heck are we going to see Led Zeppelin on the Apple Store!?

eh...who doesn't already have Beatles and Zeppelin on their iPods? So who's that hard up to have it show up on the iTS?