Tuesday could mark the end of a long-standing impasse between Apple and EMI.
According to unofficial reports, Steve Jobs will announce the debut of The Beatles catalog on iTunes at Tuesday’s press event, also rumored to be the reveal of a Web-based iTunes library. The Wall Street Journal reported that a deal was finally struck during on going talks between Apple, reps for The Beatles and record label EMI, confirmed by “people familiar with the situation.”
(More on Techland: Will Apple Announce Web Based iTunes Tomorrow?)
Though terms of the agreement are unknown, the deal would act as a treaty between the two, which have been locked in legal battles since 1978 when The Beatles accused Apple of infringing on its trademark, Apple Corps Ltd., the flagship of Apple Records. Even Tech Crunch is speculating, claiming that the four clocks displayed on the front of Apple’s event invite match the cover of the band’s Help! album released in 1965, but something tells me it’ll take a lot more than conspiracy theories to bring this rumor to reality. Beatles/iTunes rumors have swelled before, and if this turns out to be just another spin on the gossip merry-go-round, I can’t say I’ll be surprised.
(More on TIME: Photos Of The Beatles’ Final Performance)
The other question, other than the report’s validity, would be which recordings would be made available and when. I’d assume it’d be the digitally remastered collection, made available in physical CD form last September for the launch of The Beatles: Rock Band. Anything less, and I’m afraid the response wouldn’t be as overwhelming as Apple, or EMI, would expect.
Tune in to Techland Tuesday at 10 a.m. EST/ 7 a.m. PST for full coverage of the announcement.
