Beatles could be on iTunes by 2008

[nowheregirl]

www.ipodnn.com/articles/07/06/01/beatles.itunes

The Beatles music catalog may be coming to iTunes and other online music services in early 2008 according to Olivia Harrison, the widow of late guitarist/singer/songwriter George Harrison. Despite the landmark settlement of a trademark dispute that dates back to Apple Inc. (then Apple Computer Inc.'s) inception, Harrison told Reuters "We just have a few things to work out elsewhere" before the music will be available for digital download and purchase.

One factor holding back the release is a complete re-mastering of all Beatles CDs. Harrison added "I think we're a little bit behind. We (the band's members and widows) all agree. It's been done. It's just trying to now get it out there."

Meanwhile, as reported last month, band member Paul McCartney says that a deal allowing the Beatles catalog to make the digital move was "virtually settled," while refraining from providing a specific time-frame.

Interestingly enough, the Beatles' songs will be distributed through EMI when they do go online, meaning they will theoretically be available as "iTunes Plus," DRM-free tracks.

[nowheregirl]

Here's the latest news about this:

Beatles online soon says Sir Paul

The Beatles' music should be available online next year, Sir Paul McCartney has told a US music website.

"It's down to fine-tuning, but I'm pretty sure it'll be happening next year, 2008," he told Billboard.com.

The Fab Four are one of the last major acts to withhold their back catalogue from stores like iTunes and Napster.

Sir Paul said the delay was due to contractual issues and planning by all parties involved. "You've got to get these things right," he said.

"You don't want to do something that's as cool as that and in three years time you think, 'Oh God, why did we do that?'"

Sir Paul added: "There's just maybe one little sticking point left, and I think it's being cleared up as we speak, so it shouldn't be too long."

Albums by the late Beatle George Harrison were made available online last month, meaning solo music by all four band members can now be bought digitally.

EMI is believed to have been on the verge of releasing The Beatles' back catalogue as digital downloads since February, when the band's record label Apple Corps settled a long-running trademark dispute with technology giant Apple Inc.

[lovelyrita]

I'm so exited=)