The Beatles and Apple may soon reveal an exclusive deal under which music from the ‘Fab Four’ will be sold through iTunes, a report claims.
A report on Fortune magazine first made the claims, adding that the two firms had hoped to reveal the deal on November 21, when new Beatles album, the Sir George and son Giles Martin-remixed album Love shipped.
However, these intentions were scuppered by the details, the report explains. These include agreeing just how long iTunes would be the exclusive online sales point for tracks from the band, and how many millions of dollars Apple will hand over to the band as an advance on royalties.
In an echo of the entente cordiale between Apple boss Steve Jobs and U2 front-man Bono, Fortune also claims that a new special edition Beatles iPod may also be released.
Despite years of legal wrangling between Apple Computer and The Beatles’ company Apple Corps, both sides are understood to be pragmatic at the opportunity.
Founder Beatle Paul McCartney is known to have handed out iPods as gifts to his cast and crew at the end of his recent world tour.
And former Beatle drummer, Ringo Starr, earlier this year hinted that tracks from the band – the last major act to refuse to release music online – would be made available ‘at some point’.
Apple has refused to comment on the speculation, while local UK Beatles representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment.