Are beatles downloads on the road now that EMI has settled the ongoing royalty row?

In a recent interview with Billboard, none other than an authority like Paul McCartney claimed that a deal to make Beatles downloads available is “virtually done,” a comment recently posted on his website. In another recent interview, when asked if Beatles downloads were imminent, EMI spokeswoman Jeanne Meyer did not comment on McCartney’s comments to Billboard, but replied that she hopes “it will be soon.” With McCartney, Sir Paul didn’t mention where Beatles downloads will be available first, but Apple’s iTunes store would be a good bet. A recent report from Fortune added more fuel to this fire that Apple could be about to become the exclusive online source for Beatles downloads for a limited time, like three months. This would mean exclusive access not only to Beatles downloads, but also to remastered versions of the British pop group’s previous albums in any form, such as Abbey Road. fans will agree that any music service offering Beatles downloads would be patching a hole in its music offerings and many have been waiting for it for a long time.

So are the Beatles poised to transform from digital laggards to digital pioneers?

Unless EMI makes a special exception for Beatles songs, the music of the Fab Four would not only be available for sale as downloads, but would also be DRM-free at a time when most downloads from the other great artists will continue to be taxed by usage restrictions. . A good percentage of online music buyers have probably, at some point, tried to download a Beatles song, only to find that none were available. Can you “imagine” how many illegal Beatles downloads have been and are being made every day because people can’t buy anything from The Beatles online? Fab Four fans have been eagerly awaiting the day when Beatles music would finally be released in digital form; This long-awaited day is getting closer.

So if or when this happens, strong unrestricted Beatles download sales will add further pressure on Universal Music Group, Sony-BMG Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group to follow EMI’s lead. The bottom line is that you will see Beatles downloads in the not too distant future. Having said that, it’s not all joy for Beatles fans, some might not be tempted by Beatles downloads, because they really don’t feel like paying a third time for the same music, especially since it would be of lower quality. than the CD and come with restrictions on how they can play and copy it. But given that Beatles downloads account for 10% of total downloads, most Beatles fans will agree that any music service that offers Beatles downloads will go some way to filling in the gaps in their music. digital music collections. So if the predictions are correct, there will no doubt be a mad stampede of Beatles downloads, the moment they become legally available, be sure to keep up with this ongoing saga and be one of the many who will enjoy the music of probably the best band. the world had seen.