Talks ‘Stalled’ Between Apple and Beatles

7:02 am, November 25th, 2008, Ed Sutherland

(photo: drinksmachine/flickr)

For Beatles fans looking to download the iconic British rockers from Apple’s iTunes, it appears its going to be another ‘Hard Days Night.’ Paul McCartney now says negotiations are at a stand-still.

“The last word I got back was it’s stalled at the whole moment, the whole process,” the musician told the Associated Press.

The sticking point, according to McCartney is EMI, which owns the Beatles song catalog, and Apple Corps, a holding company run by surviving members of the UK band.

In May, 2007, McCartney told Billboard Magazine a deal to bring the Beatles to iTunes was “virtually settled.” The same year, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said he expected a deal to be signed by mid-2008.

Ironically, while signing the Beatles continues to slip from Jobs - a child of the ’60s - the British rockers may make their first digital appearance for an audience unfamiliar with the music.

The Beatles in October signed to include their music in the Rock Band videogames, the Wall Street Journal reported. The Viacom-owned videogame is a rival to Activision’s Guitar Hero.

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