For a fleeting moment this week, Beatles fans were hopeful that the band's music would finally be available on iTunes. Bloomingdale's announced that it would sell a special Beatles iPod. While many though this would mean that the Beatles would finally be allow their music on iTunes, this was not to be. The special edition iPod comes with the entire Beatles catalogue on CDs and users must upload these CDs to the iPod. The device isn't a collaboration between the band and Apple, it is simply a product of Bloomingdale's
When iTunes first debuted there were several bands and music artists that refused to allow their music to be distributed through the iTunes store. As the popularity of digital music and the huge success of iTunes, many of the bands that orginally held out have embraced the technology - except for one: The Beatles. For many, the refusal of the band to be distributed via iTunes is somewhat of a suprise. The band was know not only for creating revolutionary music through innovative recording practices and marketing techniques, so many assumed that they would be among the first to adopt legal, on-line music distribution. But the reason the band's catalogue is unavailable on iTunes is not due to a fear of piracy. Rather, The Beatles have an issu
e with Apple, the company that created iTunes. In 1968 The Beatles created Apple Records. When Apple Computers was founded, it reached an agreement with the Beatles, that because the company shares its name with the the record company, Apple Computers would not enter the music business. At the time it seemed logical, but as technology has improved, Apple computers has become dependant on its music distribution. Apple Records eventually sued Apple Computers, and in 2006 the judge ruled that Apple Computers did not violate copyright rules. With the end of the lawsuit, many fans hoped that The Beatles would finally be allowed on iTunes. So far, this has not happened, but fans across the world continue to hope that The Beatles will one day embrace the digital music revolution.
e with Apple, the company that created iTunes. In 1968 The Beatles created Apple Records. When Apple Computers was founded, it reached an agreement with the Beatles, that because the company shares its name with the the record company, Apple Computers would not enter the music business. At the time it seemed logical, but as technology has improved, Apple computers has become dependant on its music distribution. Apple Records eventually sued Apple Computers, and in 2006 the judge ruled that Apple Computers did not violate copyright rules. With the end of the lawsuit, many fans hoped that The Beatles would finally be allowed on iTunes. So far, this has not happened, but fans across the world continue to hope that The Beatles will one day embrace the digital music revolution.
1 comment:
This is obviously my density at it's finest. But it actually never dawned on me that artists could, and possibly would not include themselves on iTunes. I suppose when you're as huge as the Beatles, extra income like that is by no means necessary.
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