Beatles on iTunes in 2008?

The Beatles' back catalog should finally appear in digital form by the end of the year, claims a British tabloid. The deal will reportedly see the music come to the iTunes Store, with albums including the likes of Help!, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and possibly more. The deal is said to worth as much as £200 ($402.5) million, and has allegedly been sanctioned by lead Beatle Paul McCartney as means to help pay for his divorce from Heather Mills. Proceedings have already cost McCartney £5 million, and may jump by another £20 to £30 million after a settlement.

The release of The Beatles' music in digital form has been highly sought-after, as it continues to sell in record shops decades after the band broke up. The solo projects of the band members are already on iTunes, and McCartney himself has said the catalog should be on its way; the major obstacle is said to have been the number of parties involved, as Sony, EMI and Michael Jackson own combinations of recording and publishing rights. Additionally, royalties must be paid to McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison.

by MacNN Staff