Beatles iTunes deal has ‘stalled’

Sir Paul McCartney says that negotiations to allow The Beatles’ catalogue to appear on Apple’s iTunes store have currently “stalled”.

He suggested that the hold-up was due to disagreements between The Beatles and EMI.

We’d like to do it. We are very for it, we’ve been pushing it. But there are a couple of sticking points, I understand.

EMI want something we’re not prepared to give ’em. It’s between EMI and The Beatles I think – what else is new?

Last word I got back was it’s stalled at the moment. But I really hope it will happen because I think it should.

EMI owns the group’s recordings, and must agree a deal with Apple Corps, which looks after the group’s back catalogue.

We have been working hard to secure agreement with Apple Corps to make the Beatles’ legendary recording catalogue available to fans in digital form.

Unfortunately the various parties involved have been unable to reach agreement but we really hope everyone can make progress soon.

McCartney was speaking at the launch of Electric Arguments, his new album as The Fireman.