AfterDawn: News

Google and Amazon fought for Beatles deal, as well

Yesterday, we reported that iTunes had begun selling the music catalog of the Beatles, marking the first time legal digital versions of the tracks are available online.

Apple, EMI and the Beatles knocked out a deal after a few months of negotiations, moving forward mostly when new EMI CEO Roger Faxon came on board in June.



Today, industry sources are saying that Google and Amazon both tried to secure rights to the tracks for their digital music stores, but were clearly unsuccessful.

All indications are that iTunes has exclusive rights to the tracks until January, at least.

After it was clear that a deal was in the works, Apple, Google, and Amazon were approached by Apple Corps CEO Jeff Jones (Apple Corps being the arts-promotion company where the Beatles are the board members) over the availability of the digital rights.

Apple won, flat out.

One senior music exec made it clear why: "Who else are they going to do a deal with? Apple dominates the digital market."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 17 Nov 2010 23:20

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• 4 comments

• statomike

  They could have made a deal with everyone, if they wanted to or really gave a shit about their fans. This is what an old, irrelevant group does when all they have is their pride and label management to guide them.

  18.11.2010 01:20 #1

• bratcher

  About time!! I bought it on the first day that it was available...

  19.11.2010 09:05 #2

• PIERCED69

  Originally posted by bratcher: About time!! I bought it on the first day that it was available... All the more gaulable you, i had them albums on digital for yrs, why would you pay $146 for somthing 40 yrs old that you can get anywhere?
  And im sorry but this is not the important part of the story, the most important was how the hell apple got out of the lawsuit which stated they would never get into the music industry if they were to retain the name apple.

  19.11.2010 12:34 #3

• Gnawnivek

  $146? Say what? Oh wow...
  

  Peace!

  19.11.2010 15:09 #4