In an interview with Entertainment Weekly's PopWatch blog, Paul McCartney revelaed that the Beatles' label arguing with iTunes has prevented the band's music from appearing on the service.
"We want it to happen," said McCartney. And by "we," I'm assuming he means himself, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon, and Olivia Harrison, as they all gave the thumbs up for the upcoming Rock Band game based on Beatles music. But, said McCartney, "The record company was taken over by new people quite recently, so there is a gridlock of sorts."I'd like to make it happen—though I am not part of the negotiations, thank goodness," he said.
The label McCartney is likely referring to is Apple, since EMI, the Beatles' parent label gets on quite well with iTunes. The two companies must be bickering over money, since undoubtedly the Beatles' catalog on iTunes would move huge units, just like Led Zeppelin's did when that band's catalog was released on the service.
But at some point someone has to give right? Either Apple Inc. says "we don't want the Beatles, we hate dealing with you," or Apple Corps. says "you're right, we should but this stuff up for sale on your service. We can make a shitload of money."
I'm guessing it'll have to be Apple Corps, since no MP3 store in their right mind would turn down the Beatles. But at any rate, this is really starting to get old. [PopWatch via Arstechnica]


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You've certainly got hold of the wrong ed of the stick here. The record company MCCartney is referring to is EMI and the deadlock is between Apple Corps and EMI, which is nothing new. Apple Inc. aren't part of the problem here, it's EMI that wants a bigger slice of the download cake than the Beatles are willing to give.