Completes long-standing struggle

After years of waiting, Apple has finally secured the rights to the Beatles discography for the iTunes Store. All of the band's major studio albums are present, such as Revolver, Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road. Also present are three compilation albums, and a comprehensive box set, which costs $149.

The artist page on iTunes currently features two videos, including the Beatles' first-ever US concert at the Washington Coliseum. The albums themselves are rendered in Apple's iTunes LP format, which incorporates photos, notes and mini-documentaries. As a result they cost an average of $13, as compared to the price of most iTunes albums, typically just $10.

Apple has had long-standing problems in obtaining the Beatles' music. Issues were most recently blamed on record labels, including EMI, and even Apple Corps, originally founded by the Beatles themselves. Current Apple Corps head Jeff Jones is said to be friendlier to digital than his predecessor, having overseen the first digital sales of the Beatles' music, and the porting of songs into The Beatles: Rock Band for game consoles.

by MacNN Staff