The Beatles and Itunes (Apple) reach DEAL!!!!!!!!!

[Justin24]

http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/03/09/mccartney-reportedly-inks-deal-with-apple

McCartney reportedly inks deal with Apple

By Jeff Smykil | Published: March 09, 2008 - 07:43PM CT

Multiple UK news outlets are reporting today that Sir Paul McCartney has reached a deal with Apple to offer the Beatles catalog on the iTunes Store. The deal, reportedly worth $400 million, comes after months and months of speculation and relentless torrents of rumors. As best as we can tell, this is the real deal, and will lead to the most popular band of all time finally finding its way onto an online marketplace.

While McCartney will be keeping much of the money, several other parties stand to benefit from the deal. It is being reported that portions of the sum will be going to families of the deceased members of the Beatles, Ringo Starr, Sony, EMI, and the former owner of the catalog, Michael Jackson.

As of today there is no time frame as to when the catalog will appear online, but it seems to just be a matter of time. McCartney himself even said in November that the catalog would be making its way onto the the store some time in 2008 While we have heard this sort of thing time and time again, this might just be the real deal. Prepare yourself—Beatlemania is coming to iTunes.

 

[the tourist]

Wonder if it'll be remastered....

 

[t8thgr8]

when did jacko give them up?

 

[martha]

I'm glad Macca's getting more money.

 

[lazarus]

This is going to have the greatest iPod/iTunes commercial EVER.

You know that was part of the deal.

 

[corianderstem]

I wonder if this has anything to do with American Idol finally getting permission to use Beatles tunes (which will be the theme this week), since as of this new season, all the performances are available on iTunes.

 

[Lila64]

I'm sure it's about the almighty dollar. Ain't it always?

And everyone should OWN Beatles music, not just download songs \oldtimer

 

[phanan]

When it comes to The Beatles, nothing will matter until remastered CDs come out.

 

[phillyfan26]

Since I only own one Beatles album, this is fucking great news.

 

[angelordevil]

Since I only own one Beatles album, this is fucking great news.

You're the very kind of person they're targeting, I'm guessing.

I'm not naive about the money aspect, but an iTunes deal is simply a natural progression in sharing any kind of music these days--might as well have the best band in the history of popular music in there.

 

[the tourist]

When it comes to The Beatles, nothing will matter until remastered CDs come out.

 

[gareth brown]

got that right - i'm really anxious to hear them remastered.

but what's with the money thing? How come McCartney appears to get most of the money from what this article's saying?

 

[Lila64]

I suppose it depends if he owns the publishing rights, or at least a portion of them. If the writing credits are Lennon/McCartney.....

 

[lazarus]

Yoko should factor in here somewhere. There's no reason she shouldn't be getting a cut of that pie.

 

[angelordevil]

Yoko should factor in here somewhere. There's no reason she shouldn't be getting a cut of that pie.

EEYYEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeEEEEE...YIP-YIP-YIP-YIP-YIP-YIP-YIP-YIP-YIP-YIP!!!

 

[martha]

I suppose it depends if he owns the publishing rights, or at least a portion of them. If the writing credits are Lennon/McCartney.....

McCartney/Lennon, if you please.

 

[corianderstem]

Doesn't Michael Jackson still own the publishing rights?

 

[phanan]

He sold half his stake due to paying off all his debts, so he doesn't have full control anymore.

 

[corianderstem]

Well, poke me with a fork and call me Betty, that's the best news I've heard all day!

 

[angelordevil]

But how will Michael be able to look after Bubbles?

 

[intedomine]

Shame, would've been nice to see The Beatles hold off for eternity.

 

[LMP]

Bubbles... Bubbles is dead, AOD.

 

[lazarus]

McCartney/Lennon, if you please.

If we're talking about songs like Honey Pie, how about just "McCartney"?

 

[the tourist]

Anyone know if it's remasters yet?

 

[last unicorn]

Michael Jackson and SONY own the Beatles Catalogue 50/50, they joined their publishing catalogues in 1995 and founded "Sony Publishing". Sony is administering the publishing rights to the songs and Jackson gets his 50% share, that's the deal. Don't know, however, how much the Beatles or their families are getting from this latest deal.