Beatles Downloads

Beatles Downloads are on the way

Are Beatles downloads on the way now that EMI has settled the ongoing royalties row?

In a recent interview with Billboard, no less an authority than Paul McCartney stated that an agreement to make the Beatles downloads available is “virtually settled,” a comment recently reported on its Web site. In another recent interview, when asked if Beatles downloads were imminent, EMI spokeswoman Jeanne Meyer wouldn’t comment on McCartney’s remarks to Billboard, but answered, that she hopes “that it’s soon. In the Billboard story–which was a preview of an interview with McCartney, Sir Paul didn’t mention where Beatles downloads will be available first, but the Apple’s iTunes store would be a good bet. More fuel to this fire was added by a recent report by Fortune that Apple could be on the verge of becoming the exclusive online source for Beatles downloads for a limited time, such as three months. This would mean exclusive access not just to Beatles downloads but also the newly remastered versions of the British pop group’s earlier albums in any form such as Abbey Road. Most Beatles fans will agree that any music service offering Beatles downloads would be fixing a hole in its music offering and is long awaited by many.

So are the Beatles poised to transform themselves from digital laggards to digital trailblazers?

Unless EMI makes a special exemption for Beatles songs, the Fab Four’s music would not only be available for sale as downloads but would also be DRM-free at a time when most other major-label recording artists’ downloads will still be encumbered by usage restrictions. A good percentage of online music buyers have probably, at some point, tried downloading a Beatles song, only to be informed that none were available. Can you “Imagine” how many illegal Beatles downloads have taken place and do everyday because people can’t buy any of The Beatles online. Fab Four fans have been eagerly awaiting the day when the Beatles’ music would finally be released in digital form; this long awaited day is getting just that little bit closer.

So if or when this happens, will the strong sales of restriction-free Beatles downloads add further pressure on the likes of Universal Music Group, Sony-BMG Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group to follow EMI’s lead. The Bottom line is you’re going to see Beatles downloads in the not-too-distant future. Having said this, it is not all joy forBeatles fans out there though, some wouldn’t be tempted by Beatles downloads, because they don’t really feel like paying a third time for the same music, especially as it would be lower quality than the CD and come with restrictions on how they could play and copy it. But with Beatles downloads accounting for 10% of total downloads, most Beatles fans will agree that any music service offering Beatles downloads would go some way into filling the gaps in their digital music collections. So if predictions are correct there will undoubtedly be a mad stampede for Beatles downloads, the minute they become legally available, so keep up to date with this ongoing saga by reguarly visiting www.BeatlesDownloads.co.uk and be one of the many that will enjoy the music of probably the greatest band the world had seen.